Poor weather on Sunday meant Catriona Robertson, chair of the Deerness Community Association, had to announce the opening of the playpark extension inside the hall instead in the playpark itself.

The hall committee recognised that the original playpark, which had been opened 17 years ago needed to be updated.  Beki Russell, a committee member with young children asked if we could update the park with features more suited to toddlers.  Andrew Bonner, the treasurer, managed to locate funding for this from the OIC, Crown Estates Scotland, National Lottery, Cooke Scotland and St Andrews & Deerness Community Council to augment the Deerness Community Association’s own funds.

In her speech, Catriona Robertson said:

“Welcome to the grand opening of the extension to the play park.  A particular welcome to Lindsay and Lyall, who are here to represent the community council, and also to Michael and Michelle from Cooke Scotland.

“Our thanks go to the various people who have helped us with funding. That would be OIC, the Community Council, Cooke Scotland, Crown Estates Scotland and the National Lottery.

“Our thanks go to the folk that gave us grant funding towards that, but also to William and Paula Bradley, Malcolm and Erica Marwick, who helped put it all up.”

Kate Still, the Scotland Chair of the National Lottery Community Fund had this to say about the project.

“Every day, National Lottery funding is changing the lives of thousands of people and communities across Scotland for the better. This project, delivered by Deerness Community Centre Association, is a great example of community activity in action, showing just what can be achieved when people come together for a common cause or to help others. National Lottery players can be proud to know that the money they raise is helping to support this vital work, which is making a real difference to so many.”

By this time the rain had stopped so we went outside where Beki’s son, Kaleb, released the ribbon and officially opened the new extension.