A while back, some Councillors were carrying out the monthly play equipment inspection. They enjoyed a lengthy chat with some of the youths using the hexagonal shelter, and we’ve recently made some changes which reflect at least some of the wishes of those kids.

We’ve had the shelter repainted and we’ve had weatherboarding fitted to four sides of the shelter. This was a particular request from the youths, who asked for protection from the rain. Boarding half the shelter only allows for safe monitoring of the users while allowing them some privacy and protection.

At the same time the Council decided to leave the inner weatherboarding painted in matt grey undercoat. This is an experiment of sorts, which allows for a level of artistic expression – graffitti if you like. There are many forms of graffitti, from slogans, tags and daubs, through to Banksy style works which now get displayed in major museums!

Please look after the shelter – the refurbishment cost us a couple of hundred pounds which had to come out of the funds put aside for new play equipment. Feel free to paint the grey areas, but please leave the blue alone and don’t tag or paint obscenities. Apart from that – have fun!

We look forward to seeing what the youth of Charfield are capable of. After all, they were very inventive when it came to practical weatherproofing…