CHILDREN at St John’s playgroup in Coleford are enjoying its new play area.

The area was once an overgrown patch of land, but – with the help of a group from Two Rivers Housing and Centigen FM – it has been transformed into a new garden for them to play in.

The housing association’s apprentices got stuck in first of all and spent a day weeding, digging and levelling the ground, and they were followed by another team of staff who lined and filled the area with wood chip donated by Travis Perkins.

Maegan Willis, a human resources apprentice at Two Rivers Housing, said: “It’s been great to have a day out of the office and do something which benefits the community. I’ve really enjoyed it, and I hope that the children enjoy their new garden.”

Play leader at St John’s Playgroup, Cora Perkins added: "The kids really love it and it is a total transformation. It will be so much easier to maintain, and we are extremely grateful for the help we’ve received from Two Rivers, Centigen and Travis Perkins."

A new initiative co-ordinated by a group of staff in conjunction with the apprentices at Two Rivers will see many more projects, like this one at St John’s, undertaken.