PLAY SWAP at the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Party was a hectic but fantastic day of play.
Aside from the standard party face painting (see below) PLAY SWAP introduced 'Re-imagining the Heygate' to partygoers, again inviting people to draw their imagined play equipment on photos of the Heygate. Monkeybars, slides, rope swings and treehouses emerged - all challenging proposals but will try to make some reality.
As the Dragon Pinata was left over from St George's Day, we hung it up in the foyer of the TRA hall for the children to attempt to slay. It was a huge success with the majority of children from the party coming out to have three bashes with the spear (a swimming float from the Pound Store). The dragon was remarkably sturdy, fending off about ten children before various limbs began falling off and it was finally gutted, spilling a belly full of sweets across the linoleum - much to the delight of the slayers.
Later on we recycled more play equipment, using the spare rope intended for a rope swing as a Tug of War rope. Despite the rain this was a phenomenal success, with mats brought out from the Pembroke House Youth Club by Calum and Jamie, and with help from friends they were set up along the pavement outside. The Tug of War ended up having several rounds: everyone, adults only and children only, then several more chaotic rounds with everyone again - including some worse for wear parents and plenty of kids on an all-day sugar high. It was a brilliant way to include everyone - even luring in local teenagers previously skulking about on the outskirts of the party and now fully involved in attempting to pull over the entire opposing team - although to nominal success.
Overall the indoor street party was a great day with local people coming together to share food and play games, chat and generally to have a very good time.
Eleanor Shipman
Pembroke People
