Go on kids, hop it!

Property firm bans children from playing hopscotch

FOR generations of children, drawing a hopscotch pattern on the pavement has provided endless hours of harmless and healthy entertainment.

But bemused parents were left stunned after property managers on a new-build housing complex told them to stop their offspring drawing with chalk on the pavement as it was ‘an eyesore’.

Families at the housing development in Bishopbriggs, near Glasgow, were sent a letter by the property factor demanding children stop using chalk to draw hopscotch grids.

The letter said: ‘I notice that children are being allowed to chalk over the monoblock areas at the front of the development. I would ask if these children belong to your family they refrain from this practice immediately.’

The demands were branded a ‘joke’ by furious residents and the factors have now been forced into apologising.

Donald Macdonald, chairman of the Woodhill Residents Group, said: ‘The reason people come and live in Bishopbriggs is simple, the high quality of the schools attracts young families in the area. We want the children to be able to go out and play safely, play responsibly. We want children to be encouraged to play outdoors.’

The letter sent by building factor Speirs Gumley also asked families to stop leaving children’s bicycles and toys on the grassy area of the neighbourhood.

However, residents said the chalking was not on the monoblock but on the tarmacked path area in between townhouses in the development, built by Mactaggart & Mickel.

Parents in the Bishops Grove development said they would be ignoring the request.

Mother-of-two Lynsey Dolan, 42, a staff nurse, said: ‘We’ve lived here for four years and it’s a joke.

‘When I first saw the letter I laughed and thought, “No, this can’t be happening”. They are scribbling in a small lane. There are more issues in the area rather than just chalk.’

Iain Friel, managing director of Speirs Gumley, said: ‘I am disappointed such a letter was issued. We will, of course, be apologising to our clients for this.

‘Speirs Gumley is a big supporter of local charity PEEK, whose mission it is to improve the lives of children and young people by unlocking their potential through play and creativity.’