Sporting chance for kids this summer

Young people across the district have the chance to beat the summer school holiday blues as Mansfield District Council announces it's biggest ever series of summer activities in local parks.

Starting on 22^nd July, the "Active Parks" programme will be taking place at parks across the Mansfield district five days and two evenings every week until the end of August.

The FREE activities are available for nine to 16 year-olds, girls and boys and will include qualified coaches supervising a variety of activities, including football, golf, tag rugby and athletics.

The activities are being run on behalf of Mansfield District Council by Sheffield-based company Active Regen. All equipment will be provided and up to 45 youngsters can be accommodated at each event. Pre-booking is advised but people can just turn up on the day on a first come first served basis.

The daytime events are being held from 11am to 4pm at the following parks:

Bull Farm Park – every Monday from 28^th July until 25^th August
Titchfield Park – every Tuesday from 22^nd July until 26^th August
The Carrs, Warsop – every Wednesday from 23^rd July to 27^th August
Racecourse Park – every Thursday from 24^th July to 28^th August
Peafield Park – every Friday from 25^th July to 29^th August.

Two early evening sessions from 5.30pm to 7.30pm are also planned for:-

Spider Park (Forest Road) – every Thursday from 24^th July to 28^th August
Meden School, Warsop – every Friday from 25^th July to 29^th August.

This is the first time Mansfield District Council has provided activities for youngsters on this scale – in total there is nearly 170 hours of supervised activities on offer, free of charge.

Coun Eddie Smith, Portfolio Holder for the Environment at Mansfield District Council said: "The council and other bodies are often criticised for not providing enough for children to do but I think this is a major positive step in the right direction.

"We've deliberately used parks across the area to make the events accessible to as many children as possible. We're mindful of our responsibility to promote healthier lifestyles so we've concentrated the activities around sport, which encourages both fitness and fun.

"Now it's over to the kids. I hope that there is a high take-up and that the summer sport roadshows can become a regular fixture on the calendar."

For further information and bookings, call 01909 564352. Priority will be given to children living in the Mansfield district. Some places may be available on the day of each roadshow but can only be allocated on a first-come first-served basis.