The Playpark in Exeter is BRILLIANT !

If you know of anyone in a wheelchair that fancies a swing or a seesaw, or even a jump on a trampoline, then take a look at http://www.theplaypark.co.uk/ It is the brainchild of my good friend Miriam Guard, who herself has an autistic child Henry.

Miriam has battled through acres of red tape and difficulties and raised hundreds of thousands of pounds to build an all abilities playpark in Exeter which was opened last year. Handicapped kids have a whale of a time there where they can get involved with some very clever playground equipment all for free.

I built the website for Miriam last year as my small contribution to all the hard work that she undertakes and I nip into the playpark now and again to take fresh pictures for the site. On Sunday we took Nancy our 2 year old grand-daughter for a treat. She loves the trampoline and the sandpit. Not to mention the slides, and the swings...and ....
Miriam came here today to make changes on the website with me and we were able to to add a super photo of Maddie from Exmouth and her pal Ben from North Devon, both in wheelchairs - who meet up midway for a play at the playpark, being pushed around on the purpose built roundabout.

Do click the link http://www.theplaypark.co.uk/ and take a look.

These are some of the pictures that I took at www.theplaypark.co.uk for my pal Miriam Guard who has worked so hard to make this park for all abilities work. Sadly the local yobs have vandalised what can only be described as a haven for many. http://www.thisisexeter.co.uk/news/Exeter-vandals-target-new-playground/article-1189207-detail/article.html#StartComments
I run the website for the Playpark as a gift to Miriam who has worked tirelessly to get this wonderful play space up and running.

The trouble is that children today, and they are children have nothing to occupy themselves with. As a child we went around in the local gang but the older kids looked after the younger kids and because we didn't have much, we respected what we did have.
If only these louts could be made to spend a day with some of the more disadvantaged children, then their natural compassion would come to the fore, and they wouldn't help but feel that they would like to help. But with today's Uk nanny state who is going to challenge these children and ask them to give some of their time in return?
They have got the upper hand, but it is not doing them any good. In the old days, if a youth was messing about, the local bobby would take him aside and have a word. I can remember my brother being marched to our front door by the local policeman, and telling my parents what he had been up to. My Dad made my brother apologise, and when the bobby left us, my Dad gave my brother a damn good wallop. And when my Dad had finished with him, my Mum didn't molly coddle him, she told him that she was ashamed of him, and if she caught him misbehaving again, then she would give him what for too. It never happened again, because my brother knew his limits. When my children were little I smacked them if they misbehaved. Not often of course, because the threat of a smack was enough. They tell me these days that they never thought I was anything but fair, and that they never felt threatened at any time. What poor parents these thugs who have done damage to the playpark have, that they have not taught their children right from wrong, and the precious gift of caring for others. What a sad state of affairs we are in. I pity Miriam having to deal with this mindless aggression, but this is the society we have built for ourselves.