Church outdoor play club more fun than you can bear!
A NEW club aimed at providing outdoor fun for toddlers and their parents is being launched by Ashbourne Methodist Church.
With the easing of the coronavirus lockdown, the Church Road church is planning weekly sessions that provide activities to help boost confidence at the same time as having fun in the great outdoors.
A test event for what will become “Welly Club” was held recently, hosted by Green Farm in Windmill Lane, home to the Coldeaton Jersey herd, which provides the wellknown brand of ice cream fresh from its on-site shop.
Clare Sales, one of the organisers, said: “As a church, we’ve been aware that young children have not been able to join in-person activities for a long time.
“Now that the lockdown is easing, we’re pleased to be able to offer sessions every week which will provide activities for toddlers, enabling them to develop confidence while having fun.
“At our test event, we enjoyed finding dinosaur footprints around the field and making dinosaurs from Play-doh.
“We also had a short storytime with Share Bear, who has some splendid new wellies.”
The test event, which was hosted by the Coldeaton Jersey brand’s owner Jo Burrows, gave organisers a chance to fine-tune their plans ready for the full launch on Tuesday, April 20.
Jo said: “We are pleased to be able to host Welly Club and hope that the children and their parents enjoy the activities.”
Under current lockdown regulations, the session is limited to 15 attendees, although this does not include children aged under five.
Everyone who attends the group will remain within their household or support bubble groups, and the field allows people to remain socially distanced.
To find out more or to book a place at Welly Club, text Clare Sales on 07814 192924 or visit www.ashbournemethodist. org.uk.
Since the first lockdown, Ashbourne Methodist Church has provided a weekly online storytime as it has been unable to hold its popular group for pre-school children.
As well as Welly Club for toddlers, the church is working towards in-person activities for new parents and their babies, and for school-children.