Published by Councillor Bruce Boughton, 12 Hampton Close, Tamworth, Staffordshire B79 8TX

The official launch of the play pods scheme took place on Tuesday 5th August in the Leyfields. The launch included the various partner organisations involved, and who will be using the pods. The scheme was officially launched by Cllr Bruce Boughton, Portfolio holder for Economic Development and Enterprise and the Mayor of Tamworth Cllr Brian Beale.

Leyfields is the first area to benefit from the play pod scheme which will help to bring free facilities to local communities. The pods will help to provide play opportunities for children and young people across the borough. Tamworth Borough Council is working with partner agencies and members of the voluntary sector as part of Tamworth play partnership throughout the project. The project will run for three years initially and has been funded by the Big Lottery. Activities lined up for the next few months include nature trails, football skills and arts and crafts activities.

The Street Wardens will be holding their nature and wildlife ramble on 12, 19 and 29 August. The Wardens will be taking the children through Hopwas woods and will be leaving the pod at Wiggington Park at 11.30 each day returning at approximately 2pm. Good walking shoes and rain coat will be needed and due to the nature of the activity children must be 8 years old and over.

A number of qualified FA Coaches from Tamworth Police Station (Police Constables and PCSO), will be making use of the new facilities by putting on Football sessions in Wiggington Park. The exact date has not been decided yet, but will be on a weekly basis. A date will be announced shortly and appear on a soon to be erected notice board for the Pod. All the football equipment - balls, bibs, goal posts etc, have been provided by the Big Lottery Fund as part of the Play Pod bid.

If you would like to arrange to use the play pod for a community activity or event please contact 01827 475 945 after 1pm on week days.