VENTNOR residents are organising a community picnic to celebrate the imminent return of the swings to North Street Playground – but if the swings are not returned the celebration will become a protest.

The community rallied round to support the playground when the Isle of Wight Council removed the swings recently.

They organised a petition, held public meetings, formed a community association — The Longdown Residents Association — and lobbied for the swings to be returned before the school summer holidays.

The IW Council said they would meet the deadline but the swings have not yet appeared.

To celebrate the return of the swings, The Longdown Residents' Association has organised a community picnic on Saturday, July 20, at 1pm, with live music from the Slow Cats and an opportunity for residents to shape the redesign of a new playground.

Ventnor Town Council is taking over the site from the Isle of Wight Council and will be pursuing funding opportunities to upgrade the playground.

However, the residents are determined not to be let down and will renew the campaign if the swings are not returned, and they said the celebration could turn into a new round of protests if the swings do not materialise.

Cllr Leigh Geddes, chair of the Longdown Residents' Association, said: "The removal of the swings without notice by IW Council earlier this year alarmed us all and brought back the spectre of losing the playground.

"We have been promised the swings will be back very shortly, but we know that equipment wears out and we can’t rely on our local authority to replace it, let alone upgrade it to modern standards. "Join us at what we hope will be a celebration on July 20."

The County Press has asked the IW Council for an update.

Update 7pm:

An Isle of Wight Council spokesperson said:

“We understand and sympathise with the concerns of the local residents - and are currently seeking assurances from the company providing the new swings that they will be installed as soon as possible. We asked that they should be ready before the start of the summer holidays and are currently awaiting an update from the company.

"The swings were ordered straight after our meeting with the town council and local community earlier this year and with the intention of having them back in place as soon as possible and before the summer holidays. We have been doing our utmost to achieve this on behalf of the residents.”

The previous swings at North Street playground were removed earlier this year following an inspection, which adjudged them beyond repair and potentially a risk to users of the play area.

 

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