Thousands flock to Ravenscourt Park

Fun-packed celebrations mark national Play Day 2006

About 1,000 children, parents, carers and play workers converged on Ravenscourt Park for the annual Play Day event - one of the UK's biggest single celebrations of national Play Day.

African drumming and dance workshops by Sewa Education, arts and crafts, story-telling sessions, climbing wall and performances by children and young people were among the attractions at the borough's Play Day 2006 extravaganza yesterday.

A balloon launch by the borough's mayor, Cllr Minnie Scott Russell, marked the official opening of the event, which was organised by the Hammersmith & Fulham's play service.

Performances on the Play Day stage featured African drumming and dance, a young people's dance group and tai chi demonstrations.

Other attractions at Play Day this year included young people's dance workshops by Scario Funk; juggling by Jason Maverick; the council's 18ft climbing wall; a maze; face-painting; bouncy castles; Professor Starlight children's entertainer, under fives' activities and balloon-modelling; sporting events organised by the council's sports development team, including football, badminton and tennis, and a tai chi stall and workshops.

Under fives and five to 12 year-olds were all catered for at Play Day and parents could find out how to get help with childcare costs or where their nearest nurseries and play facilities are from the numerous information and advice stands.

Cllr Scott Russell said "Ravenscourt Park is a fabulous venue for one of the country's biggest and best national Play Day events and perfectly fits this year's theme of Play, Naturally - highlighting the benefits of playing in a clean and green environment as well as children's natural drive to play."

Now in its 19th year, national Play Day involves more than 100,000 children taking part in hundreds of activities throughout the UK, from big public events to small gatherings. It is co-ordinated by two charities, the Children's Society and the Children's Play Council.

November 21, 2005