It has been more than five years since playgroup Mum, Sarah Coleman, identified the need for Stratton playgroup to have a new building.

Since that time, a team of parent volunteers and playgroup staff have worked tirelessly to turn that vision into reality. After securing a large grant from family services last summer, the playgroup had enough funds to proceed with the project and rebuild their playgroup.

The staff closed the doors of the old building in early July for the last time in order to give themselves and the committee a chance to empty the playroom ready for demolition.

Vanstone Builders mov­ed onto the site as soon as the school had broken up for the summer holidays and made all of the necessary preparations for the new building to arrive in August.

The modular style building arrived in five sections, each on a large lorry, on a wet and windy day in late August. Despite the modular company craning the building into position almost two weeks late, the team overseeing the project managed to make up time with the rest of the installation and have the building ready for occupancy by mid-September.

Children, parents, sponsors and supporters of the project celebrated the opening of the new building on Monday, September 21, with a ribbon cutting ceremony, refreshments and an opportunity for the children to give their new playroom a test run.

The new premises boasts a number of facilities that the old one was severely lacking including disabled access, a kitchen, an office for the staff and, most importantly, large double doors that open out onto the playground which will provide children with the option of playing outside if they choose.

Phase two of the building project is already well under way with a large all weather canopy due to arrive later this term. This has been generously funded by the Blanchminster Trust and will ensure the outside area is accessible more frequently with protection provided from the elements.

The playgroup is now running all of its usual morning sessions with lunch clubs and the new intake of children have started to arrive for their inductions.

See this week's 'Post' for a full report and photo.