Group's aim of transforming land

DREAMS of transforming a piece of wasteland into a community space have been revealed by a local group.

Trelavour Downs in St Dennis has been used by children for years. BMX bike enthusiasts have created jumps on the land and other children spend their free time there.

Young people's dreams to create a community friendly space, including a wetland area to be used by the school, woodland and dog walking pathways, as well as areas for children, are being thrown into reality by national group Groundwork.

The group works within communities to advise businesses, work with youth, supporting education and creating community areas.

Cornwall programme manager Bruce Hosie said: "This is a fantastic place, there is so much potential and all of the ideas have come from the kids.

"At the moment it is an unkempt fly-tipping nightmare.

"The thing that made me spark is the children came up with areas which would be used by the whole community, like a wetland, and areas specifically for families.

"They have come up with some fantastic ideas and I don't think funding will be an issue because the scheme is based on what young people want.

"It has the potential to be a fantastic project and benefit everyone who lives in St Dennis and beyond."

To engage the community with the project, Groundwork is holding a high energy day of free parkour, or free-running, and dance sessions in the October half-term.

Children from the local area will be able to take part in workshops on Thursday, Octboer 30 and talk to the Groundwork team about the dreams that they have for the area.

Emma-Jayne Rothwell, Cornwall project manager for Groundwork, said: "As well as dance classes we will be running some free-running and physical training.

"Weather permitting this will see a team of young people out in the village learning strength training and all the techniques required to pull off the moves that are central to free running.

"They will learn how to jump and land properly and generally have a good time while learning skills necessary to use their play spaces in a new and innovative way.

"People should keep their eyes peeled around St Dennis and in the paper for adverts and more information."

St Dennis PCSO Alexandra Fisher said: "Whatever is eventually put on the land it could and should be a positive thing for the village to give young and old people a community space which they are proud of and could take ownership of."