Flying Start for new park in Brecon

A new playground on Pendre Field next to Priory Church in Wales school in Brecon is now open and being enjoyed by local children and families.

Welsh Government Flying Start and Brecon Town Council funding was secured to support the project.

The playground has an enclosed area for 0-4 year olds, with inclusive equipment to enable children to develop their physical skills and creativity. This area will also act as an extended outdoor space for the new Flying Start setting that is due to open later this year.

The new Flying Start setting will border Pendre Field on the Priory Church in Wales school site. The new modular building also funded by Welsh Government Flying Start will provide high quality, funded Flying Start childcare for two-year-olds and will also be used to run parenting groups and training. In addition, there will be space for 3 and 4 year olds to access Foundation Phase and Childcare Offer provision.

Construction of the new Flying Start modular building on the Priory Church in Wales School site has recently been delayed due to unforeseen issues regarding underground utility services. Excavation work has had to pause whilst utility service providers re-route the services. The new building is scheduled to open for children and families in the autumn term.

The new setting called Enfys Fach Nursery will also have a small multi agency office and a contact room where professionals such as Health Visitors and Speech and Language Therapists can meet families.

Deputy Minister for Social Services, Julie Morgan said: “I am thrilled Welsh Government funding has been able to provide such a fantastic outdoor space for children in Brecon. Being able to play is an essential part of growing up and helping young people socialise with friends, let off steam and be creative.

“We are committed to enhancing provision across Wales and this playground is an example of what we want to achieve. I look forward to seeing how this Flying Start setting progresses.”

Powys County Council’s Deputy Leader and Chair of Priory Pre-School Trustees, Cllr Matthew Dorrance says: “It’s great to see children playing and making the most of the new park – it’s been really busy and well used. The park is phase one of the new Flying Start setting project and will be a fantastic additional outdoor space for our future Flying Start and Foundation phase children.

“The new Flying Start centre is an exciting development and we are working to resolve the delay in groundworks so that children and families can get the full benefits of the significant investment.”

The new zip wire for children aged over five was funded by Brecon Town Council and has proved very popular with young and also the not so young!

Cllr David Meredith, Mayor of Brecon Town Council said: “Brecon Town Council is pleased to have been able to support the new Flying Start project by working with Powys County Council to provide an additional piece of equipment for this exciting new facility.  A zip line has been included in the park development thanks to Brecon Town Council’s funding and we very much hope that this will provide an enjoyable and fun element for the park users.”