The brand new playground and ball court on Rhodesia Road in Stockwell - which residents and Larkhall councillors have been campaigning for over a period of several years - was officially opened by the Mayor of Lambeth, Councillor Christopher Wellbelove, on Saturday 27 June 2009.
As he cut a special cake and declared the new recreation area open, Mayor Wellbelove said: "Today we have evidence that with perseverance and hard work you can achieve something you can all be proud of.”
The recreation area had originally been earmarked for housing by local housing association Hyde Southbank Homes, but local residents, led by Joyce Hopper, Chair of the Grantham Residents’ Association, and helped by local Labour councillor Pete Robbins, campaigned to retain it as an open space families could use for recreation. HSH finally bowed to local pressure and stumped up more than £180,000 investment for the new ball park and playground.
Joyce Hopper said: "It’s been hard work, but we stuck together and now the whole community will benefit. I’d like to thank past and present members of the Residents’ Association and the Rhodesia Road Action Group for their commitment to this project.”
Local business, Freemans (mail order), has donated £3,500 to the Residents’ Association which will be used for a climbing frame and picnic table, and Larkhall Labour councillors spent £2000 of their ward purse on providing a new community noticeboard.
Councillor Peter Robbins said: “It’s a fantastic resource for the whole community. I am delighted to have helped win the ufnind necessary to provide this brilliant play area and games area - it's great to see so many young kids using it already.”
The rest of the afternoon was enjoyed by residents and staff alike with a football match, children’s entertainers, face painting, stalls, children’s games with prizes and free ice-cream and goodie bags.
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