EXERCISE equipment for those with joint and mobility problems could see its way into Holsworthy’s Stanhope Park if a grant application is approved.

Town clerk Vanessa Saunders put the idea to the full council during its meeting on Wednesday, December 4. She proposed the council apply to the Pocket Parks Programme, which could see the council receive up to £25,000 to create a new exercise space in the park.

Mrs Saunders said: “The Pocket Parks Programme is a funded stream for local government to fund small areas in big parks or small areas that are new. The idea came from Kerry [Wilcox, assistant to the town clerk] going to a meeting about exercise equipment for the elderly.

“We were thinking we could have this equipment in a small area in the park with a new surface put down. The equipment is ideal for people with conditions like arthritis or joint issues.”

She said there was up to £25,000 worth of funding available, with match funding required.

She said: “This is mostly for urban areas but I think it is worth a try. The application has to be in by December 31. I haven’t got any figures to give you yet but if we want to go for the maximum amount of £25,000 we would have to put in £7,500 ourselves to match it — but we are hoping we could get other groups and organisations to help with that.”

She added: “I have brought this to full council to ask for authority to put a bid for funding in.”

Mrs Saunders said there was one condition, if successful the money had to be spent by next March.

She added: “I will probably be asking our district councillors, looking at you Jon [Hutchings] and David [Jones], for some money towards this too.”

Deputy mayor Cllr Helen Parker said she had seen the area where the potential equipment could go and she said: “It would be easily accessible. I think it is a good idea.”

Mrs Saunders added that the equipment would be in a well lit area that has camera coverage.

The councillors agreed it was worth bidding for the funding and that the project would be discussed again once more was known about finance.