00:00Great ground on the first dedicated play park in Newquay Central area, right here in
00:07Melbourne Gardens and I have to say, standing here today, I feel incredibly proud of what we're going to be
00:13achieving here.
00:15Now so much of what has been done, sorry, what is done by the Town Council happens behind the scenes.
00:22We make decisions in meeting rooms, manage budgets, we navigate planning processes and while it all matters enormously,
00:30it often feels very abstract.
00:37That's what makes today so special. Today we get to do something truly tangible, something that you can see,
00:44something that you can touch and something, most importantly, that children can play on.
00:50This project has been two years in the making, two years of planning, of fundraising, of partnership building and of
00:56listening.
00:57And I want to talk about that because this part didn't happen in the Council Chambers, it started with the
01:05children.
01:05The children that reached out and said that they didn't have a space that they wanted.
01:12So when I visited Citrin at Learning Academy at Newquay Junior, I was struck by how clearly and passionately efficient
01:19the children had for a new play park to Central Newquay.
01:24They just wanted somewhere to play, somewhere close to home, somewhere on the stairs.
01:29So those conversations stayed with me and they drove this project all the way through.
01:35And I want every one of those children to know that we heard you as a Town Council and this
01:41park is very much for you.
01:43The evidence is clear, access to quality outdoor spaces is transformative for children's well-being.
01:49It supports physical health as well as mental resilience, social development and creativity.
01:56For the families of Newquay, many of whom don't have access to their own green space, this park will be
02:03an absolute game changer.
02:04It's an investment in the health and happiness of our children and the future generation of this town.
02:11None of this obviously would be possible without the extraordinary support of our partners.
02:15And I want to offer a very special heartfelt thank you to Board Masters, whose incredible contribution of £50,000
02:22has really made this park tangible.
02:28Board Masters is woven into the fabric of what Newquay is, a festival that celebrates youth, energy and, of course,
02:35the spirit of our wonderful town.
02:38And their investment here reflects exactly those values.
02:41So thank you. Thank you, Ruth, for being here today.
02:44To all of our partners here today, your presence and your commitment means the world.
02:48Together we're making a promise to our young people in this town.
02:51And the promise starts right here today.
02:54And I must give enormous thanks to our officers, the people who turn out and turn our vision into reality.
03:03In particular, our estate manager, Joe, who's been on this journey with me now for two years.
03:10And his expertise and, let me be honest, his patience with me is invaluable, I can assure you.
03:18None of us would be standing there today, Joe, without you.
03:21So thank you sincerely.
03:24So today we break ground on this park designed to be enjoyed by children of all ages, from infants all
03:31the way up to junior school.
03:33We're doing something more than laying the foundations for swings and climbing, friends.
03:37We're laying the foundations for healthier childhood, for stronger communities of Newquay that truly looks after its young people.
03:45To the children of Central Newquay, this is yours.
03:48Enjoy it. Enjoy every moment of it.
03:51Thank you, everyone.
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