Let's see the power of play (From Penarth Times)

Let's see the power of play

TWO teenage brothers, fed-up with having nothing to do, have kick-started a campaign to bring youth activities onto their estate.

Martyn Hurst, aged 14, and his brother Craig, aged 18, were sick of hanging around the streets of their United Welsh Housing Association complex in Dinas Powys after school and at weekends.

So, the brothers, who live on Caerleon Road, sent a petition around the estate"s 135 houses in a bid to alert the tenants to the lack of facilities for youngsters.

"We started the petition just before Christmas this year, because we were so fed-up of having nothing to do, except hang around the streets," said Martyn.

"What we want to see is one playground for older children, with maybe a basketball court, and a separate one for younger children."

He explained that there used to be a play area on the estate, but this was recently demolished.

Martyn and Craig"s plight was picked up by Rhuddlan Way resident, Dennis Baigent, who quickly established the Dinas United Tenants Association.

Dennis, as chairman, asked the council to provide funding for new play equipment, but they refused, as the land is the property and responsibility of United Welsh.

The charitable organisation could not afford to pay for the equipment.

Dennis said: "There"s just nothing for youngsters to do.

"When they are playing with balls in the street and damaging fences, we can"t tell them to play somewhere else, because there is nowhere else for them to play."

With the help of the other members of the tenants association, Dennis is now applying to a number of charities for help with funding for the play equipment, which he believes could cost up to £80,000.

So far he has received some small donations from companies, but is determined to raise the amount.

He hopes enough can be raised to purchase a facility similar to the nearby council-maintained Murchfield Multiuse Games Area.

* A fun day, organised by United Welsh, is being held on the estate on Saturday, August 27. Catalogues will be on show containing outdoor play and sports equipment, which Dennis hopes to eventually purchase for the estate.