Aylesbury play centre set for birthday celebrations
Archived press release
Date Published: 26/02/10
A popular play centre in Aylesbury will be celebrating its 10th birthday this week.
The Jonathan Page Play Centre, operated by Aylesbury Vale District Council, was opened by former district councillor David Fitzsimons in February 2000.
To celebrate its 10th birthday, the centre will be holding an official celebration on 27 February for invited guests including current and former staff and partner organisations.
The facility was named after 20-year-old Quainton resident Jonathan Page, who died tragically in a canoeing accident off the East Devon coast in 1972.
Jonathan and his family had long been associated with voluntary work at the Manor House Hospital in Aylesbury. An adventure playground for children with special needs was opened in his honour on Stocklake in 1976.
Jonathan’s parents, Colin and Gill Page, allowed his name to be used for the play centre when it was officially named in 2001. Mrs Page will be attending the birthday party on Saturday with her daughter Deirdre.
An exciting programme of events and activities will be held as part of the 10th anniversary celebrations. The free events for families include a fun day during National Family week in June, Meadowcroft Mania in August and Junior Autumnwatch in October.
The centre, located next to the Quarrendon and Meadowcroft Community Centre, offers a popular after-school club during term-time and a playscheme during the school holidays. More than 5,000 children attended the after-school club last year and almost 3,000 children enjoyed the holiday playscheme.
Councillor David Thompson, Cabinet Member for Leisure, said: “It’s great to see the play centre flourishing. A lot of hard work has gone into setting up a wide range of activities for children living in and around Aylesbury. The staff deserve a great deal of credit for what they’ve achieved.”
For further information about the Jonathan Page Play Centre, please visit the council’s website at www.aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk/10thbirthday or call 01296 336413.