Sheffield outdoor playgroup deepens its roots in city park
An outdoor playgroup has won permission to use a pavilion in a Sheffield park where it runs some of its fun sessions.
The Muddy Buddies playgroup runs ‘stay and play’ sessions where children and a carer can enjoy some outdoor fun together. These are based in Graves Park animal farm and at Bingham Park.
Sheffield City Council’s charity trustee sub-committee today (November 24) granted the group a 12-month licence to use the ground floor foyer and adjacent toilets in Graves Park Pavilion.
A report to the meeting said that the licence will allow continued access for existing users and generate income for the charity which holds the park in trust on behalf of the city.
The pavilion off Cobnar Road is a two-storey, 1950s-style building used by sports and community groups. The committee report said: “Ad hoc users include a youth theatre group, Norton History Group, South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue and South Yorkshire Police but due to reduced sporting activity the building is under-used and in need of investment.”
Shabby
Graves Park manager Catherine McDougall described the pavilion as “not in the best of shape, it is a bit shabby”. She said income from the licence could be used to improve the building.
She said that existing users have no objection to the plan as it will not affect their use of the building. Giving Muddy Buddies a licence rather than charging them for building hire means that they can store their equipment in the building rather than having to bring it all in every time they run a session.