Hard work and a lot of nettle rash as the community gets to work

The Lochmaddy community gathered on a sunny Saturday to begin the work of transforming the village playpark.

Clearing a mountain of overgrown foliage the workers uncovered the play equipment and ground ready to be repaired and repainted, and ready for the installation of a new boat swing, a gentle nod to Lochmaddy’s port history.

Local parent Helen Stoddart has been working tirelessly on moving the planning for the new playpark to action, it’s a credit to her hard work that the children will this summer be able to play in the park safely.

Helen told Am Pàipear: “This is just phase one for Lochmaddy. There are plans drawn up for a larger development around the edge of the football pitch, which will have equipment suitable for toddlers to teens. For this to go ahead, Lochmaddy Hall Committee are putting out a call for more volunteers to help with the planning and funding applications to make this a reality. If you can spare a little time and enthusiasm to see a fantastic play facility come to Lochmaddy, please do get in touch to offer some help.”

The Committee was faced with more work than expected, as Helen explained: “A previous announcement on Facebook from RAF Boulmer that their contractor JRC services would make over the football pitch and playpark area did not not come to fruition, so unfortunately, it is back to the Lochmaddy Hall Committee to create this space for the community and visitors to enjoy.”

The funding for the gardening equipment and volunteers lunch was secured by North Uist & Benbecula Locality Partnership through the Community Shout Out Fund supported by CnES, NHS Western Isles, The Scottish Government and Scottish Rural Network.

The plans for the playpark are available to view in Lochmaddy Hall.

Helen can be contacted by email at helen_stoddart@yahoo.co.uk.