Slough celebrates children's right to play

I attended an event yesterday that was amazing.  I am not a child but Slough play day is a free event that celebrates children’s right to play and the importance of play in their lives. It is for kids of all ages and I mean all ages because judging from the faces of the parents there they enjoyed it as much as their children. The event took place in Salt Hill park from 12noon until 4pm and attracted around 3000 residents and this year for the first time Churches together in Slough took part providing free bottles of water, a bouncy castle and around the clock puppet shows from  Puppets for all’.

The puppets were great and children and adults alike loved them they provided the opportunity for families to hear the story of the parable of the foolish builder as well as joining in to Christian action songs which otherwise would not have been possible at an event of this nature. Puppet for all is based at St Peter’s church in Burnham and has been very popular in all age services, nursing homes and other gatherings
Play day provided a wonderful array of activities for children to try out  including: junk modelling, mobile play equipment, gymnastics/cheerleading, funfair games, disability sports , assault course , clay animals (arts and crafts), bicycle treasure hunt , smoothie bike , free tennis with GDT, the tennis centre in Salt Hill Park, mobile farm,

circus skills , hand puppets, fire engine,face painting, story telling and live music provided by SWIPE a local Youth group run especially to encourage young people’s musical skills and talents.

Megan Hurley, Slough Borough Council’s play coordinator, said: "Playing is a fundamental part of childhood and this is a great opportunity for children and their parents to try out new activities and new ways to play"

With the Olympics next year this is an example of the kind of community activities that churches could partner with their local council to provide and a way of spreading the good news of Jesus love to members of our communities.

Wouldn’t it be good to see events like this up and down the Diocese with the church at the centre.