SCHOOL children in Colden Common have been celebrating the official opening of their new playground.

Pupils at Colden Common Primary School welcomed parish trustees and councillors, including former mayor of Winchester, Cllr Richard Izard, when the new playground was unveiled earlier this month (November 15).

The project was funded through a series of events held over the summer, including the Fun Run Summer Fayre.

Chair of the Colden Common School Association, Kate Marks, said: “Last term’s highly successful Fun Run Summer Fayre was a terrific way for everyone to take an active part in raising the final funds needed to complement generous grants from The Colden Common Parish Hall Trust and Awards4All (Big Lottery Fund). Without their support this project would still just be a dream.”

The works, which saw the replacement of rotting play equipment and a new floor put down, cost over £27,000 which included grants from both Colden Common Parish Council and Winchester City Council.

Secretary of the association, Jo Rushall, said: “It was a real joy to see some of the trustees and councillors taking to the slide in the November sunshine alongside children up to two generations younger.”

“The Colden Common School Association would like to thank everyone involved,” she added. “Not only the vital fundraising team, but Mr Colin Maslen, school site manager, for his clear and cheery vision and Outdoor Classrooms, for their expert building skills and flexibility. It's been a huge team effort and a major achievement.