STRATTON Playgroup held a ceremony on Wednesday, March 7 to celebrate the opening of its new outdoor woodland learning area.

The playgroup provides term time pre-school support for 50 children aged two to four years old. It is located adjacent to Stratton Primary School.

The playgroup runs as a charity and is always grateful to local businesses for their support.

A committee of volunteer parents is instrumental in fundraising to provide new resources for the children.

A grant from the Blanchminster Trust has enabled development of the outdoor play area over the last two years, with artificial turf and new play equipment.

This has culminated in the formation of a new woodland area at the top of the site. The site has been planted with fruit and birch trees and has a fantastic mud kitchen and outdoor seating area.

Playgroup manager, Kelly Swatton, said: “We are very grateful to the Blanchminster Trust and the playgroup committee for their financial support. The children love being outdoors and now have access to a woodland area which will provide a wealth of new learning experiences for them.”