The unveiling of a Suffolk village’s new zipwire was met with a chorus of children’s laughter this afternoon – as dozens queued up for their first ride on the popular play equipment.
Young people in Wickham Market had been united in their calls for a new zipwire - and today those calls were answered.
Brothers Josh and Sam Quickenden, aged 10 and six, cut the ribbon at the village hall play area and a queue quickly formed with youngsters of all ages.
Liz Quickenden, the boys’ mother and a Wickham Market parish councillor, said the zipwire had been in “constant use” all afternoon.
“It’s so great to see the children playing outside in the fresh air and sunshine,” she added.
Mrs Quickenden, who also works as a child-minder, had surveyed school children in the village to discover what play equipment they wanted most of all. Among an interesting variety of responses – including calls for a shark-infested swimming pool – the zipwire was the clear winner.
“The kids have always wanted a zipwire,” Mrs Quickenden said.
“All the other villages have one and the children love it but it’s something they’ve not had in Wickham Market until now.”
Wickham Market parish clerk Jo Peters said the choice of new equipment had arisen through the “Parish Plan”, which invited the village community to comment on their priorities for the future.
After the children showed emphatic support for the zipwire, the parish council’s environment and leisure researched different manufacturers before choosing the Kompan model.
The zip wire’s £17,000 costs were covered by Section 106 funding relating to Hopkins Homes’ housing development in the village, with a further £36,000 allocated for a new multiuse games area (Muga).
The Muga, which features a hard playing surface, goals and nets to play sports, including football, basketball and hockey, has also been completed but remained out of use yesterday while fencing was removed.
Ms Peters said: “It was really rewarding to see how many children were using the play area.
“It’s the most children I’ve ever seen over there and so it feels like we’ve achieve something that will be a long term benefit for the community.
“The children love it and the parents and grandparents are all saying how wonderful it is.”
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