The sound of children playing is ringing out around the village of Coltishall following the reopening of a renovated £60,000 playground.

Youngers have given two thumbs-up to the slide, zip-wire, accessible roundabout and other new features of the site next to the village hall in Rectory Road.

North Norfolk News: Coltishall Primary School children enjoying the seesaw at the new renovated playground in the village. From left, Theo, Jamal and George.Coltishall Primary School children enjoying the seesaw at the new renovated playground in the village. From left, Theo, Jamal and George. (Image: Denise Bradley)Among them are Eadie Cooper, eight, who said: “I think it’s really good. I’m glad they kept some of the stuff they had before like the swings and the climbing thing. I like the new slide and the roundabout.”

Her friend, Kitty Harmer, eight, said: “I think the roundabout is best because some people have wheelchairs and it’s suitable to get onto. I also love the climbing house.”

North Norfolk News: Coltishall Primary School children enjoying the new renovated playground in the village. From left, back, Jamal and Jack; front, Harbor, Joseph, George and Oscar.Coltishall Primary School children enjoying the new renovated playground in the village. From left, back, Jamal and Jack; front, Harbor, Joseph, George and Oscar. (Image: Denise Bradley)

Eadie and Kitty were among the Coltishall Primary School Year 3 class there for the reopening on Friday (January 27).

It follows two-and-a half years of work - Coltishall Parish Council hatched a plan to redevelop the playground in July 2021. 

North Norfolk News: Coltishall Primary School children enjoying the new renovated playground in the village. From left, back, Jamal, Jack and Esmae; front, Harbor, Joseph, George and Oscar.Coltishall Primary School children enjoying the new renovated playground in the village. From left, back, Jamal, Jack and Esmae; front, Harbor, Joseph, George and Oscar. (Image: Denise Bradley)

Becky Furr, parish clerk, said councillors felt it was important local children had a hand in the design. 

She said: “It’s been very exciting.

"We’ve had some wonderful feedback already about how much the children are enjoying the renovated play area.”

North Norfolk News: Coltishall Primary School children enjoying the new roundabout at the renovated playground in the village.Coltishall Primary School children enjoying the new roundabout at the renovated playground in the village. (Image: Denise Bradley)

James Matthews, a retired design and technology teacher and former parish councilor, spent a week with the children to find out exactly what they wanted.

Mr Matthews said: “They looked at what else was on the market. They measured things out and they looked at health and safety aspects. 

“Then they made models and very technical drawings. They were amazing.   

“In combination with the designers, these are all their ideas.” 

Mrs Furr added: “There used to be a lack of accessible equipment, and equipment for younger children.  

North Norfolk News: Parish Clerk, Becky Furr, front, with Grahame Hudson, front left, from Tarmac; children from Coltishall Primary School and representatives of businesses and community groups who helped fund the renovation of the Coltishall playground.Parish Clerk, Becky Furr, front, with Grahame Hudson, front left, from Tarmac; children from Coltishall Primary School and representatives of businesses and community groups who helped fund the renovation of the Coltishall playground. (Image: Denise Bradley)

“There was nothing really for toddlers. Now we’ve got a cradle swing. 

“The older children were really keen to have a tube slide and a themed piece of apparatus, so we’ve been able to do that with the galleon."

Tarmac Limited provided £26,600 for the project, and the National Lottery Community Fund paid for another £22,000.

The community foundation of Saffron Housing Trust contributed £5,000, leaving the parish council to pay for the rest, which was around £7,000.