Hillstown Playground

Two years ago, the Council approached Hillstown Welfare Trustees offering to pay all the costs to build a playground for 4 – 12-year-olds on the Recreation Ground. We have also offered to cover all costs of maintenance, repair and Insurance for a period of 25 years.

After two years we are still negotiating. Sadly, Hillstown remains the only community in Bolsover District without a playground and our children still have nowhere safe to play outside their homes.

We sincerely apologise for the slow progress but remain hopeful we will soon secure the playground Hillstown families deserve. Check back on this page for updates.

PLAYGROUND IN DOUBT

Hillstown is the only local community with no play facilities for young children.
The Parish Council is offering to build a playground for 4 – 11 year-olds on the Recreation Ground and pay all maintenance for a period of 25 years.
The cost will be £85,000 to be met from grants, reserves and annual council income.
Local families would have free use of the playground, 365 days a year.
Our children would finally have a safe place to play outside of their own homes.
The Hillstown Miners Welfare Trustees want an annual rent of £3,500 p.a. for the small area it would be built on.

The rent would be higher than the cost of installing and maintaining the playground!! (£87,500 over 25 years.)
£3,500 a commercial rent that a profit-making business would be asked to pay. Our playground would be non-profit and cost the Trustees nothing. The land is held in trust for local people of Hillstown who support for the playground.
The Welfare Trust was set up to provide community recreational facilities. Why charge our children to play on community land?!
Councillors have asked several times to meet with the Trustees to discuss issues face to face but have never had a reply.
We are consulting residents, asking if they support a playground in Hillstown and if they believe the Trustees should charge the community for the land required.

PLEASE EMAIL your views to: hillstownplayground@gmail.com