THAXTED parish councillors have been “overwhelmed” with the community support showed to its bid to revamp the town’s only playground.

THAXTED parish councillors have been “overwhelmed” with the community support showed to its bid to revamp the town’s only playground.

Work on the �66,000 facility at Newbiggen Street will begin later this month.

The play area – which comes on the back of consultation with young people in the town earlier this year – will include a zip-wire, basket swing and climbing frames for children both under and over eight.

Cllr Ruth Ship, who has been part of the playground redevelopment team, said: “The parish council has been overwhelmed by the level of community support for this scheme.

“Just last weekend, two Thaxted Primary School boys, Archie and Teddy Payne, cycled 10 miles around Grafham Water and raised nearly �700.

“In addition we have been told that Parrishes Wine Bar is organising a live music event at Bolford Street Hall in aid of the project. We look forward to seeing many members of the local community there.”

Work was supposed to start in May but was put on hold after �48,000 of grant funding was cut following the General Election.

However, the parish council has since successfully gained a further �38,000 through local donations and an application to Viridor Credits.

“Although there is still a shortfall of nearly �6000, the parish council, following negotiations with the play equipment company, Wicksteed, has been able to defer payment to next year to allow us to continue to fund raise,” added Cllr Ship.

Work on the new playground will start on October 18.

The live music event at Parrishes, in Town Street, Thaxted will be headlined by 80s soul band Superstition. Tickets are �8.50 from Parrishes.