Kentish Express Ashford & District
Outdoor gym opens after £12k raised
An outdoor gym worth thousands of pounds has opened on the village green in Brabourne Lees.
There were proud smiles as the ribbon was cut to officially open the site, which is the result of a successful community effort.
A cross trainer machine and exercise bike have been installed alongside many other pieces of equipment.
The project was undertaken by the Brabourne and Smeeth Community Led Plan (CLP) - a team of volunteers who raise their own funds for the projects as well as delivering them.
They hosted barbecues, Christmas carols and received a donation from the village fete to raise the cash.
This, along with grants from Ashford Borough Council, both Brabourne and Smeeth borough councillors and Kent County Council, saw the team raise about £12,000 to buy the equipment and cover the cost of the installation.
Businesses also supported the project, helping with the excavation for the bases and the removal of the soil.
Michael Hinchliffe, secretary to the Brabourne and Smeeth CLP, said: “The equipment chosen offers users of all ages and abilities the opportunity to work out and improve their fitness and mobility.
“In previous years we have refurbished and cleaned out the village pond and its environs, erected a basketball hoop, pad and fencing and, with the help of volunteers from the Smeeth branch of the Women’s Institute, planted out thousands of bulbs in the verges and other open spaces.
“Our next project is a footpath across the green to run parallel to Bridge Road so as to separate pedestrians from traffic and provide a safe route between Woolpack Hill bus stop, the village store and post office.”