Park days bring the community together
Stonehouse’s Alexander Hamilton Memorial Park was certainly busier than usual at the weekend.
The park hosted back-to-back events led by the Friends of Stonehouse Park (FOSP) group - with the regular Little Saplings event being held on Saturday, and the annual summer fun day taking over on Sunday.
The Little Saplings ventured down by the water for an interesting session of “river dipping” to find out what bugs and beasties live in the river.
Youngsters also enjoyed a creepy crawlies bug hunt in the meadow, and made wild flower mud balls to catapult into the long grass.
As always, the session was rounded off with the ever-popular hot chocolate and marshmallows.
Just 24 hours later FOSP were hosting their third annual summer fun day - the Bounce, Boogie and Barbecue.
Crafts, a bug hunt, scavenger hunt, glitter tattoos, face painting and bouncy castles were all on offer, as well as live music from local talent James Kennedy.
FOSP secretary Karen Kelly said: “We were delighted to run this event again. It’s becoming a regular feature in our calendar, one last day out before the end of the school holidays.
“Last year the weather was a bit changeable and for all events it’s always a worry. So we applied for Big Lottery funding last year. This was awarded and we were delighted to debut our marquee. This will mean all our events can run regardless of the weather.
“Additionally we purchased a generator which brilliantly powered both bouncy castles and a PA system which made the live music sound great.
“The aim of the Big Lottery Celebrate Fund was to bring people together and all our events and our fabulous marquee can make that happen.”
The group have now turned their attention to the Halloween Fright Night. Any willing “scarers” should contact FOSP through their Facebook page. Tickets will be available soon through Eventbrite.