HappyFest family festival at Lower Swaines recreation ground - by Epping Playground Association

September saw Lower Swaines Recreation Ground transformed into a family festival by the Epping Playground Association.

The sun shone as the team were joined by volunteer helpers, local businesses and activity providers in order to officially launch their fundraising efforts to renovate the playground.

The event, #HappyFest, was managed by charity chair Siobhan Garrett and project manager Donna Hourihan. Local residents joined the fun with many staying all day to enjoy children’s activities, live music, games and storytelling.

‘I had only intended to stop for a short while,’ said local parent Kerry Ellis, ‘but it was so much fun we ended up staying all day.’

The parent volunteer led charity is working with Epping Town Council to renovate Lower Swaines Recreation Ground. A consultation process has been completed and plans for three integrated play areas, to cater for children from 0-teens, have been published.

The team want to raise £120,000 in an ambitious but much needed play and social space for the residents of Epping. It’s a project being run with full support of the local town council and with some grant money already promised from the town and district councils.

At the time of going to print, the total raised stands at £38,087. According to trustee David Garrett just over £3,300 was raised at #HappyFest.

The day was attended and opened by Epping’s Town Mayor Michael Wright. Town Councillors Mari-Louise Whitbread, District Councillors Les Burrows and Janet Whitehouse and District and County Councillor Holly Whitbread joined in the fun alongside members of Epping Rotary Club and special guests Buzz Lightyear, Olaf and Poppy the Troll.

‘Thanks so much Epping for coming out to support our first, solo fundraising event,’ says trustee Habibah Wise. ‘It was so well received we may have to do it all again!’

The deadline for fundraising is next May, 2022. If the charity can raise £60,000, they’ll be able to apply for larger national grants, like National Lottery funding.

‘For bigger, national grants, we also need to demonstrate a community need and that we’ve generated funds through community events like #HappyFest,’ says trustee Karen Laing, ‘so we’re delighted by the support shown so far by local residents and businesses’.

In addition to a number of stallholders, representing local service and catering businesses, the trustee team was helped on the day by volunteers including local parents and staff from the local Tesco store. Millers Estate Agents, Epping also generously sponsored the event. The charity team are planning future local events including fun at Halloween and a festive Santa dash. Do keep an eye on our social media accounts and the events page on our website: www.eppingplayground.org/events for up to date information.

If you can help in any way, as a volunteer, a business who could contribute to a piece of playground equipment or helping with grant applications, please get in touch with the team. We’re currently looking for £300 sponsorship so we could host a Christmas disco.