Young girl’s ambition to get Morda healthy and active pays off

Morda’s residents young and old can now get more healthy and active, thanks to the efforts and commitment of a 12-year-old girl.

Imogen Bickford from the Marches School had seen the exercise equipment in Cae Glas Park, Oswestry, and decided that it would be great if Morda could have access to a similar facility that would enable both young people and older people to get healthy.

Imogen approached her local ward member Councillor Joyce Barrow, who was able to speak to local residents in the area and gather their views on the project and in particular where they would like the equipment located if the project was successful in securing support and funding.

With the support from Councillor Joyce Barrow and the local community, Imogen set about gathering a petition from all the residents in Morda with her friends and spearheading the project to encourage young adults and the older generation to take up exercise in the outdoors. 116 residents signed the petition and from there, Councillor Barrow presented the information to Oswestry Rural Parish Council.

The Parish Council on behalf of the community and the residents made a formal request to the St Oswald and Llanymynech Local Joint Committee, who agreed £1000 towards the £4,000 project to encourage a healthier, active lifestyle in an area that is known and recorded as having a strong need.

Match funding of £2000 had already been secured by the Shropshire Council’s Outdoor Recreation Team through support from local Shropshire Council Officer Shaun Burkey.  The remaining £1000 was secured from other areas.

Shropshire Councillor Joyce Barrow, Vice Chair of the St Oswald and Llanymynech Local Joint Committee said;

“It was great to see a young person like Imogen tacking up the initiative to put forward an idea to the local parish council to help her local community. I was extremely keen to support such an initiative which promotes healthy activity, whilst encouraging our young people to have a voice and be active citizens in our community.”

“I was delighted when the Local Joint Committee approved a recommendation to support and from there I was able to source the remaining budget needed though Shropshire Council. We were particularly impressed with Imogen when she presented the information to the Parish Council and we all wanted to support her in bringing the project to fruition.”

Imogen said;

 “My friends and I realise how important it is to keep fit. We are not quite old enough to go to the gym on our own yet so this equipment is a perfect solution for us and older people as getting fresh air at the same is also essential for our health.”

Julie Bickford, Imogens mum added;

“I’m extremely proud of Imogen for what she had achieved, she loves the outdoors and realised the importance of a healthy lifestyle, which is very admiral of a girl of 12 years old. I would like to thank all the people who have been involved in the process, especially Councillor Joyce Barrow.”

The project was clearly supported through the number of people that had signed the petition and the commitment demonstrated by the 12 year old.  It has demonstrated how the community putting forward ideas to their local community and connecting with their local councillor and Shropshire Council, can have a benefit for everyone in the community.

Sarah Longville, Headteacher at The Marches School also commented:

“I am very proud of Imogen for what she has achieved and for having the initiative to pursue something that she is truly passionate about. Her efforts will greatly enhance the playing equipment in the area, ultimately having a positive impact on the local community. This is a great achievement and something that she should be very proud of, well done Imogen.”

The equipment is planned to be installed near the village hall  in Morda

Notes to Editor

The Parish Council on behalf of the community and the residents made a formal request to the St Oswald and Llanymynech Local Joint Committee, fronting the application on their behalf, for funding to support the project. 

An application to the Local Joint Committee was submitted with the aim of the project encouraging young adults and the older generation to take up exercise in the outdoors.
The total project costs for three pieces of exercise equipment came to approximately £4000. The request to the Local Joint Committee was for £1998 with match funding of £2000 already secured through the Shropshire Council Outdoor Recreation Team through support from local Shropshire Council Officer Shaun Burkey.

The St Oswald and Llanymynech Local Joint Committee agreed funding of £1000 towards the project at the 2nd of October public meeting, with the remaining balance being secured from other areas. The project was clearly evidenced through the number of people that had signed the petition and the commitment demonstrated by the 12 year old.

The aim of the project is to provide simple equipment that encourages a healthier, active lifestyle in an area that is known and recorded as having a strong need.