Children carve their mark on history with new play area

It is one of 27 being created in Kirklees as part of a Government-funded scheme to make play more challenging for children aged between eight and 13.

The Hyrstlands area will include four stone boulders which will be carefully positioned in the play space so youngsters can balance on and jump from them.

This week and next, local schools and youth groups are taking part in stone carving workshops organised by Kirklees Council arts agency Loca which specialises in using creative methods to involve people in local issues and developments.

Working in the park with artist Dan Jones, young people will carve decorative patterns into the boulders. The patterns will include channels, hollows and dips that can collect tree seeds or small pools of water and will also encourage play.

Kirklees Council play programme manager Amy Woodhead said: "The carved boulders are unique to Hyrstlands and so this project is creating a feature that will enhance the identity and distinctiveness of that park and play space."

Schools taking part are St Joseph's Primary, Hyrstmount Juniors, Warwick Road Juniors, Carlton Juniors and Mill Lane Juniors. Youth groups taking part are IMWS Girls Youth Group and a group from Kirklees Council's Young Batley.