Campaign to help children play safely is backed by the Cardiff Blues
The Cardiff Blues rugby team is backing the Vale of Glamorgan
Council's "Our Streets Too!" campaign to highlight the need for
drivers to slow down over the school holidays as children may be
out having fun playing in the streets, crossing roads to call for
friends, or popping out to their local shop.
The campaign, being run in conjunction with 'Play Wales' and the
Vale Council’s arts development, highways and road safety teams,
has the full support of Vale resident and Blues forward Mark Lewis,
who said: “We are keen to lead by example - it’s important to drive
responsibly and take the necessary care with safety at the
forefront. Our rugby team acknowledges that local streets may be
busier than usual with children playing over the summer
holidays.”
The campaign has been launched in the run up to the 20th annual
'National Play Day' on Wednesday, 1 August, which will be marked
with a special event in Central Park, next to the Town Hall in
Barry. Hosted by the Vale Council's play development officer Joanne
Jones, the event will provide a host of free activities, come rain
or shine, for children to enjoy, including arts & crafts and
den building.
National Play Day is partly about ensuring young people,
children and families have a great day out, but also aims to get
serious messages across, as traffic sometimes prevents children
from playing independently in their local streets and can place
them in danger.
Joanne Jones said: “Children should benefit from being able to
play in streets near their homes all year round - whether this
involves bikes, roller skates, designated areas for ball games,
hopscotch, skipping or just experiencing a different world outside
of the television. Whatever their choice, play should aid their
personal development, be great fun and, ultimately, safe.”
In addition to the National Play Day event, there are play
schemes running in the Stratford Green and Bassett Park areas of
Barry, and there will also be free outdoor play days run by
qualified play workers and play rangers at parks and open spaces
across the Vale during the holidays. These initiatives aim to give
children the confidence to play in their own neighbourhood, explore
new ideas and maybe even make new friends.
Vale Council Cabinet Member for Leisure and Tourism, Councillor
Gwyn John, said: “Playing in the streets helps children to get more
fresh air, freedom, exercise and safety knowledge by learning about
the world around them and how to become active young members of the
community. The biggest barrier to children playing in their local
streets is traffic, but by working together to raise awareness we
can all help to improve safety locally.”
To find out more about play development opportunities in the
Vale of Glamorgan, including National Play Day, please contact
Joanne Jones on 01446 704809 or visit www.valeofglamorgan.gov.uk/playdevelopment,
while for the latest news about the Cardiff Blues, visit www.cardiffblues.com.
Caption: The Vale Council's "Our Streets Too!"
campaign has the support of Cardiff Blues players including Mark
Lewis (front left), pictured here with the Council's play
development officer Joanne Jones (back centre) and road safety
officer Jon Rogers (front centre).