General Chat

Somebody I know has an eleven year old son who was charged with and recently acquitted of arson and I find this story very frightening.

A brand new playground had been built for local children. It was expensive and presumably constructed from the safest materials available.

During the afternoon the eleven year old and his mates had seen older boys lighting paper for some reason so, naturally, they thought they would give it a go. It may be wrong but it happens and we have all been as silly in our past, including the designers of play equipment. Kids gather at these places, kids play with fire, we used to light fires on the bombing range FGS!

Being alight, the paper they used, toilet roll, was hot and the lad threw it down. It hit the 'flame retardent' safety matting, which is made of recycled rubber tyres. All the lads tried to stamp out the fire which almost instantaneously, became a blaze which shot across the mat at a speed faster than a child could run. of course, the whole new play park went up very quickly.

There were tests carried out on the matting and each time it caught instantly.

The play park has been re-instated and, as far as anybody can see, the same matting has been laid.

It will be firework night soon. Lads play with fireworks, lads hang about play areas smoking and doing whatever else it is they don't want to be seen doing. We all did it. It is going to happen.

So why is that matting still in use?

OMG, Sharron. Our park has recently been re-furbished and has similar matting. I think I shall mention this to a friend who is on our Community council and see if we can get ours tested.

As you say, this matting shouldn't be in use.

We are looking to refurbish our playarea, so I am going to give this info to the person who is undertaking this job. Thanks for this info, it could save lives.

Kay

I have edited the title and nudged because I think this needs reading.

That really is frightening. And the mats need testing. I assume none of the 11 year olds were injured.

Councils should be quick to test them if they think they will have claims against them if anyone is hurt.

I fail to see how recycled rubber tires can be flame retardent. :-(

I find it just as frightening that the little thug was acquited

on the other hand he may well have done everyone a favour

Hmm! interesting!.....Last year our new (very expensive) play park went up in flames during the night, thanks to some idiots but I wonder if that matting helped to fuel the flames, something for the councils to think about I would think.

Hayley, he was acquitted because there was no malice or intention in the fire. It could just as easily have been a discarded cigarette end or a rocket from a bonfire party.

They didn't run away, they tried to stamp it out.

I think this info should be sent to a national newspaper or even a programme such as Inside Out or Watchdog etc.

There is a new playpark being set up in Buckingham, at least I think it's just being installed, might have been there some time but all councils should know about this material. In fact there is also some work being carried out on a park near my house so will check that out too.

I bet that lad and his friends got the fright of their young lives, and will never mess with fire again. Thank heavens no one was hurt and this danger has been highlighted.

Lizx

I have mentioned this to a member of our Community Council who is also a member of the local group who obtained the funds and oversaw the installation of our new playpark. She is going to investigate.

Liz, we used to live in Buckingham and I remember the play park well. I took my children there most days and they loved. So did the dog - she loved the slide - wouldn't be allowed now. Is the open-air swimming pool still there?

Yes, I think it is Potty, I am sure my cousin pointed it out to me. I loved the way there is so much green space and nice walks right in the middle of town and want to go back next year to spend more time in the area. Where in B. did you live, my cousin was brought up at Bourtonville? and my aunt and uncle lived at Newton Morrell then moved into a new house near Bourtonville where all the road etc were named after animals, like Badger Drive or whatever. Sadly aunt and uncle are gone now but I am glad I have got to know my cousin more as we are older and am seeing more of the area my Dad grew up in. There but for my grandmother's unkindness to my Norfolk born mother, I would have been born and brought up too.



I contacted the local council there and they have responded saying they will pass my message to the person dealing with the park so hope they will take note.

Lizx

Liz, is Bourtonville the area up on the hill? I can remember the name but can't quite place where it is.

We lived on a small estate at the top of the hill on the Bletchley road and then moved to a Victorian semi on Brackley Road before moving up to Lancashire 30 years ago and have only been back once since. It was a very nice town to live in.

This is the reply I got from the council office, Potty.


There are a number of play areas sited alongside the Great River Ouse in Buckingham, some owned and managed by ourselves (AVDC) and some by Buckingham Town Council (BTC), namely:



· Chandos Park BTC

· Bridge Street AVDC

· Stratford Fields AVDC

· Bourton Park BTC



We are currently refurbishing Bridge Street, which should be open to the public next week, and previously refurbished Stratford Fields back in 2010/11 (photos attached for your reference). I am aware of the safety surfacing issue you have mentioned and can reassure you that all our safety surfacing mats are fire resistant.



I haven't had time to look at the pictures yet and can't recall whether Bourtonville is up the hill but will look tonight and let you know. I really liked the town, never having explored it much before (only stayed there once before, usually stayed the three times we visited, at Newton Morrell )

Lizx