Seasons Greeting- A 2014 review

2014 is nearly over and it's been another busy year here at Playsound. We've completed some of our most ambitious projects yet and pushed ourselves to produce our most inventive playgrounds to date. Now is a great time to take stock of what the year has brought us and to look to 2015.

Our biggest success story was the launch of the HMS Toby, an almost-to-scale pirate ship over 10m long. Setting sail at the Toby Tavern in Skelmersdale it has become a landmark for locals and a source of joy for any shipmate. A combination of natural timbers with bright and colourful panels catches the eye, and the huge amount of onboard activities bring hours of fun. A 2.5m high tube slide brings thrills whilst a challenging vertical scramble net requires a high level of physicallity. Since the HMS Toby was installed a sister ship was installed at a public park in Burscough and numerous enquiries have been made regarding other versions.

A new climbing unit was designed and installed at Bishop David Sheppard School in Southport. Using elements of our Otter Unit, this multi-level tower was handmade using almost entirely timber with HDPE panels added to offer colour. The play area was also completed with its very own sand transportation system which is essentially a mini-cableway. Carrying our theme of climbing units named after rivers, the Bela Play Unit is fully customisable to suit any surrounding.

As always, canopies have been a big seller in 2014, both timber and steel. The beauty of them is that they provide large areas of covered land for a relatively small price. Our largest this year was at St Lewis Primary in Croft. The 15m long by 9m wide steel canopy was in essence two canopies varying in size joined together, and used both wall fixed and ground fixed post. The finished article was a hugely impressive feature for the school to use in bad weather. The steel had a powder coated finish matching the school colours with polycarbonate roof sheets.

Elsewere, we have been working on improving our website to create a simpler, more user friendly experience for our visitors. Colour coded products groups the various equipment types, and suggestions are made of other items users may also like. This can be seen here.

Moving forward into 2015 we are aiming to bring even better playgrounds and equipment to our customers. We always offer a bespoke design services so even if you want something that you can't see in our brochure then we can always make it for you. 

We are always looking to improve our service whilst keeping low costs and a high standard of quality. If you have any suggestions on what you would like to see please contact us by emailing sales@playsoundplaygrounds.co.uk

We all hope at Playsound that you have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

Playground Closures

Local playgrounds are places where children spend those long, hot, summer days, when days were filled with playing football and riding on roundabouts. It was the usually the first experience of freedom from parents, or a place were parents can take younger children without any expense whilst being outdoors. So the increased trend for councils to close these playgrounds will ensure future generations miss out on essential experiences.

It is fully understandable that councils need to cut budgets, and something that is regularly debated in parliament. Cuts are taking place in all areas, so play areas are always more than likely to feel the pinch, but surely there are alternatives.

Play areas encourage exercise, and at a time were obesity levels are at the highest levels and one of the worst places in Europe, providing spaces for children to run around and exercise should be encouraged. Long-term this will lower the costs put on the NHS due to obestity-related illnesses.

Playgrounds, as mentioned, provide places for parents to take children for free. Current times means that house-hold budgets are low, so any penny-saving opportunities should be encouraged.

It may not be easy, but it is essential to save our playgrounds.

The Playground Years

It's hard to believe that 20 to 30 years ago, primary school playgrounds where just vast empty spaces of tarmac, surrounded by a little bit of grass. The most excitement to be had was a game of football stretching across the playground, with innocent by-standers regularly getting a wack on the head by a mis-judged football. There is the well used phrase of "jumpers for goalposts", but genuinely that is all there was.

If a school was lucky, they may have some line markings, or maybe even a set of kwik-cricket were players would launch a tennis ball as far as possible, often ending up in local residents gardens. For those who weren't in to sports, there was little else to do apart from standing on the side lines.

For those not taking part in the football, often games of British Bulldog would breakout, with large numbers of children sprinting across the tarmac as fast as possible, trying theire best not to get caught. There were of course fads that appeared on the playgrounds, with yo-yos one of the biggest crazes, coming into fashion then going out, before coming back in. Another popular game were Pogs, with players throwing down Slammers as hard and as accurate as possible to "flip" the pogs for the player to claim.

Pogs

Yet as for physical "playground" equipment there was very little. Trim trails were unheard of, and MUGAs were a thing of the future. In more recent times there has been massive investment from schools to provide not only recreational equipment, but also equipment that serves a purpose and offers educational value. Simple chalkboards offer chances to show creativity, and 4 way shoots can be used to enchance co-ordination skills. There has also been an increase in nature areas, including products such as planters, bird feeders and digging areas to teach children about nature and how plants and animals grow.

The playground is now not just an area for children to run about in, they are almost a fully blown outdoor classroom; the complete educational tool.

First Post

We are excited to be able to say that this is the very first posting of Playsound Services Ltd new blog! We are hoping to provide interesting and enjoyable information based on all things to do with outdoor play areas, ranging from new products and completed projects recently finished by Playsound, to things to plant in planting beds and wildlife that could be in your playground.

Playsound Services Ltd are a playground design, manufacturing and installation company based in Lancashire, UK, and have over 20 years of experience working in the play industry. We have our very own workshop which hand produces all of the timber play equipment, with metal and plastic fabrication sourced from other local companies. From the initial proposals and ideas to completion, Playsound are here to help with your every need.

We pride ourselves to be able to deliver bespoke products to suit your exact requirements. You may require a shed to be a specific size, or want a play structure with certain activities. Either way, we will do everything we can to fulfil your requirements.

Once your playground has been finished, we offer a maintenance package that goes along side our standard guarantees, with one of our trained play inspectors visiting your site to inspect your play equipment and ensuring its still in good shape.

If you have any questions or want to provide any feedback, please call us on 01695 717229 or email sales@playsoundplaygrounds.co.uk for further details. We also have a great website at www.playsoundplaygrounds.co.uk.

We hope to hear from you soon!

Playsound Services Ltd