Dewsbury Moor playgroup’s dream garden

St John’s Playgroup is celebrating the opening of a new garden area at its Heckmondwike Road base.

Delighted group supervisor Paula Rayner said: “We now have the garden of our dreams.”

A special open day was held and St John’s vicar, the Rev Kathy Robertson, blessed the garden.

Mrs Rayner said: “The gardens we had before were not ideal, but we eventually got some funding and we have made a beautiful place for local children to enjoy.”

The £10,000 garden is primarily for use by the playgroup, but other groups can use it. The not-for-profit charity group used to be based opposite St John’s church, but when the church sold its parish hall, the group was out of a home.

Action for Children, which runs the nearby SureStart centre, stepped in and rented out premises for the playgroup.

“We still have very strong links with St John’s,” said Mrs Rayner. “And creating this garden has been a real community effort.”

The children now are able to use wheeled toys and there is an outside tap for water activities. “We are also growing fruit and veg which we will use in our own kitchen,” said Mrs Rayner.