Teen's see their wishes granted

Young people in the Coppershell area took it upon themselves to lobby local councillors after they felt they were being left out when it came to recreational equipment.

Last week the town council were able to install the new basketball ring, goalpost and fencing for the eager youngsters.

Gastard councillor Rod Taylor said: "It all started about a year ago when the council were making the rounds and inspecting the equipment they owned in the area.

"They came round to the one in Gastard, which includes a play area for small children and were met by some of the local teenagers who asked them "are you the council".

"The young people explained that they were fed up as there was nothing around for them to do unless they were under six years old."

Mr Taylor said it was after this that some of the teenagers produced a photograph of a recreation area in Colerne and said this was what they wanted.

It turned out that the area was on a Ministry of Defence site and following this the council were able to get in touch with the MoD and find out where the equipment was from.

Mr Taylor said: "The play area for little children has not changed. It is very well used and the other day I saw some mums and children down there who told me they were from Chippenham.

"They said it was so good that they came out of their area to use it."

Mr Taylor said the new facility for the older children also included an all-weather surface so could be used in all conditions.

He said: "This was something that the teenagers really wanted.

"One of them had even written a letter for the Gastard newsletter explaining how needed it was."

Town council chairman Allan Bosley said: "We listened to what the youngsters wanted and agreed that a new sports facility would be very beneficial.

"We were able to put £11,500 in our budget for the project.

"With the school summer holidays about to start it couldn't have been fitted at a better time."