As reported in The Cornishman/West Briton http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:JdAgNUG7GjYJ:http:/...

Youth shelter and picnic area built on disused ground in St Erth

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A DISUSED waste ground at St Erth has been transformed into a new place for young people and families to use.

A youth shelter and picnic area at Green Lane Park was officially opened on Saturday.

Many people involved in the project turned out to celebrate the new space, which was officially opened by Cornwall Council leader, John Pollard.

The grass area opposite the church hall was overgrown and derelict for some years and it was a long-held dream of St Erth Parish Council to see the area transformed into a community amenity for young people, which they said was lacking in the village.

Ted Taylor, chairman of the parish council, said: "It was just full of brambles and overgrown. We thought about having a youth shelter here so we put it out to consultation.

"We did not want to exclude young people – we want them in the centre of the village. At last they have somewhere to go."

Young people were asked to help design what they wanted the shelter to look like and came up with the wooden structure with felt roofing.

There are also several picnic benches in the surrounding area for people to make the most of the green next to the river.

In his opening speech, Mr Pollard said it was a great amenity which would be used by locals and visitors.

He added: "This has been a community collaboration between the public, private and voluntary sector, led by the parish council. Well done to everyone."

The project was funded by a £5,000 grant from Hayle Area Plan Partnership and a £10,000 grant from the Big Lottery.

The parish council paid tribute to the many people involved in bringing the project to fruition, including St Erth Residents' Association, Penwith Community Development Trust, St Erth School, the Star Inn, Cornwall Council and the local police.

Special thanks was given from the parish council to Chris Bray, on behalf of Cherry Trees Garden Services, who donated the cost of their labour to clear the site for redevelopment.