A new-look £60,000 play area has opened in a South Lakeland town. Excited children joined councillors for the grand opening of the new play area at Bolefoot in Oxenholme on Saturday afternoon.
The community group Oxenholme Play Area Development (OPAD) helped raise funds for the project through a ‘crowdfunding’ appeal. It raised enough money to add a ‘space net’ climbing area to the scheme, which also includes brand new slides, swings, climbing frames, seating and shelters. There was also a £25,000 contribution from South Lakeland District Council (SLDC), £5,000 from Kendal Town Council and other funding from local councillors’ member budgets, charitable trusts, leisure organisations and local company donations.
Playground manufacturers, HAGS SMP, designed the new play space incorporating ideas and suggestions from consultations run by OPAD in both 2014 and 2015, for a playground suitable for youngsters aged up to 14 that is accessible to both disabled and non-disabled users. Cllr Brenda Gray, SLDC ward councillor for Oxenholme and Natland, has also supported the project and contributed £3,000 funding through her last three years’ member allowances.
Oxenholme Play Area Development (OPAD) organiser Emma Turner with her son Isaac 6, and village youngsters who celebrated the opening event.
The properties in Bolefoot were built for the council from 1921 to 1923.
John Bateson advises that the land was purchased from the Swinglehursts in December 1919 and building actually began in 1920. There were 24 “parloured” houses and 4 “non parloured”.
The original consecutive numbering of the properties is shown below along with known residents. In 1968, the Bolefoot properties along the newly named ‘Helmside Road’ were incorporated into that road’s initial numbering. The remaining Bolefoot properties were also renumbered into odds and evens with only numbers 4 and 13 retaining their original numbers.
Please note both the Middleton family and Swainbank family were each listed as 26 Bolefoot in 1939. Which was correct is not known at this stage.
With special thanks to John Bateson for pointing out the road numbering changes etc.