AS its first anniversary approaches, the Cuckoo Meadow play area in Minehead is attracting increasing numbers of local children and young people.

And with ideas for activities in the pipeline, the community has formed a Friends of Cuckoo Meadow group and is keen to have other local people join to share ideas and make things happen.

Younger children make good use of the play equipment at Cuckoo Meadow while older members of the youth club, run by Somerset Rural Youth Project (SRYP), take part in community activities such as litter-picking and bulb planting.

Recently, the youth club that uses the area, hosted a ‘party in the park barbecue’ for parents and the local community (pictured). Youngsters had a great time in the play area while face-painting supplies were provided by local firm Snazaroo.

There are two youth clubs – Minehead Eye runs a club each Thursday at Sainsbury Hall and Somerset Rural Youth Project (SRYP), for the older children, also meets by the hall later the same evening.

Funding of equipment and the two youth clubs has been made possible thanks to members of local community working with local councils and other partners – and in particular Tracey Coles and Teresa Griffiths who are members of the steering group responsible for keeping the project on track.

Any local residents, businesses or groups interested in getting involved should speak to either Theresa or Tracey or leave their details with the leaders of either of the two clubs. Information is available on the Friends of Cuckoo Meadow Facebook page.

The play space, funded by a Big Lottery grant and partners, including West Somerset Council, Somerset County Council, Magna and Minehead Town Council, opened last September.

Pictured are Spiderman Kayden, Oscar and Jordan