Children in Wantage are set for an exciting summer thanks to the installation of a whole host of new play equipment at the town’s Manor Road Recreation Ground. New swings, a see saw, a climbing area, springers and a roundabout are just some of the new equipment that children will be able to use. Each piece will be on a safe rubber mulch surface. The new kit also includes items specially designed so they can be used by people with disabilities. The new equipment has come about following a campaign from the local community which saw residents raise £10,600 towards the upgrade, with Vale of White Horse District Council agreeing to provide the remaining £67,640 and arrange the installation. The Vale has also set aside a further £10,000 for ongoing improvements around the park. The installation of the new equipment is due to begin on Thursday 28 April and is expected to be completed by Friday 27 May, just in time for the Spring Bank Holiday weekend. To ensure children’s safety the play area will be closed for approximately four weeks while the work takes place. Cllr Elaine Ware, Cabinet Member for Corporate Strategy at Vale of White Horse District Council, said: “This is great news for young children in Wantage. I’m sure they’ll love the new equipment and will spend many hours there enjoying themselves throughout the year. It’s also a real testament to the local community who really pulled together to campaign and raise funds to ensure this work could happen.” Raymond Collins, who led the local fundraising efforts, said: “Growing up in my home town the Manor Road park was always a magical place to visit as a child with lots of fun exciting apparatus to play on and room to run around. After a long wait the children of Wantage will once again have a fantastic place to play safely on a wide, varied and exciting range of new equipment that I am extremely proud to have played a small part in securing for generations to come to enjoy.”