Easter playtime fun at Rockfield Centre
This Easter weekend sees the opening of a new kids’ zone at The Rockfield Centre, writes Kathie Griffiths.
Pretending to toss out a creel from a fishing boat or getting a glimpse of what it was like to buy sweeties from a corner shop are just some of the fun activities in the Heritage Kids Space that tells Oban’s story through time as it has grown and changed.
Children can also perform or tell a tale on the Storytelling Stage or imagine what life was like in a cave during Oban’s Mesolithic period. They can pretend to catch some mackerel, plan a journey on a ferry and more.
This special space has been a long-time dream for TRC’s heritage officer Elisabeth Stevenson who has wanted to develop a place for play-based learning in Oban since her own son was young.
Elisabeth said: ‘This place where parents is a and carers can share time with their young ones to play and learn at the same time. We hope it will be a happy place where children will love to return to again and again.’ The architects’ plans came to life with the talented skill of local joiner Duncan MacKinnon who built the set pieces.
Ian and Ron Stevenson volunteered many hours to help create the cave and lighthouse, and The Rockfield Centre’s Heritage Hunter group provided the historical background knowledge to guide the plans.
Funding came from the National Heritage Lottery fund.
The space is open for several story and play sessions tomorrow (April 15) and Saturday April 16. A morning session will be held from 11am to 12.30pm and then 2pm to 3,30pm on both the Friday and Saturday.
Spaces are limited and pre-booking is essential, which you can do online at www. therockfieldcentre.org.uk.
Children must be accompanied by an adult.