Key Stage 1 pupils at Marlborough St Mary’s Primary School have a new Play Castle in the playground and it’s all thanks to the fund raising efforts of the Friends of St Mary’s, the Mayor’s charity and local businesses.
The Play Castle cost £24K and has turrets, climbing walls, a pole, a bridge and a slide all encouraging imaginative play. Dan Crossman, Headteacher, said, “The children are super excited. For a long time the Key Stage 1 children have looked with envy at the pirate ship in the Key Stage 2 playground but now they have a castle of their own.”
Chloe, from Year 2 told Marlborough.news, “I really like climbing up the pole and then coming down the slide. It’s exciting.”
The Friends have been fund-raising for the new Play Castle for several years by holding various events such as the Christmas and Summer Fayres, raffles, second hand uniform sales, bingo, after school discos, and selling Christmas cards and Coronation T-towels. The Marlborough branch of Nationwide Building Society raised £1000 through holding cake sales and selling recycled books in the branch. The Mayor’s charity also donated over £600. Retiring Mayor, Cllr Lisa Farrell said, “The wooden castle looks amazing. I am sure it will provide hours of fun for the children of Marlborough St Mary’s Primary School as well as aiding their physical and social development.”
Other local businesses contributing were Charcoal Grill, Daniel Claridge Funeral Services, Brearley & Rich, Kube Medical, Rick Stein and Tesco. Marlborough Area Board also made a donation.
Dan Crossman said, “We are so grateful to the Friends for all their fundraising efforts and to other local businesses for their contributions. It is lovely to see the children playing outside with some high quality equipment.”
Review: The Suspicions of Mr Whicher at The Watermill – tense and atmospheric
