“We are extremely grateful for the donation, the children and their parents really love the new garden.”

Romford Recorder: Staff and families celebrating the opening of the new play garden at the Ardleigh Green Family Centre.Staff and families celebrating the opening of the new play garden at the Ardleigh Green Family Centre. (Image: Archant)

Staff and parents at the Ardleigh Green Family Centre were over the moon with their new garden thanks to a £9,000 grant from The Big Lottery.

The garden re-opened last Thursday (June 21) and includes a soft play area, toadstools and a wigwam - there is also artifical grass which means that the children can play outside in all weathers.

The centre was established to provide help, advice and fun for all ages in the community, and is a community focused project made possible by the partnership of Ardleigh Green Schools and Havering College of Further and Higher Education.

The Family Centre - which has now been running for just over eight years -welcomes over 440 visitors a week and is totally dependent on the financial support of the local community and funding organisations such as the Big Lottery.

Romford Recorder: Staff and families celebrating the opening of the new play garden at the Ardleigh Green Family Centre.Staff and families celebrating the opening of the new play garden at the Ardleigh Green Family Centre. (Image: Archant)

Parents have already commented on how safe and inviting the new garden is, and they said they are looking forward to using it every week.

John Morris OBE told the Recorder: “We are extremely grateful for the donation, the children and their parents really love the new garden.”

Romford Recorder: Staff and families celebrating the opening of the new play garden at the Ardleigh Green Family Centre.Staff and families celebrating the opening of the new play garden at the Ardleigh Green Family Centre. (Image: Archant)

Romford Recorder: Staff and families celebrating the opening of the new play garden at the Ardleigh Green Family Centre.Staff and families celebrating the opening of the new play garden at the Ardleigh Green Family Centre. (Image: Archant)

Romford Recorder: Staff and families celebrating the opening of the new play garden at the Ardleigh Green Family Centre.Staff and families celebrating the opening of the new play garden at the Ardleigh Green Family Centre. (Image: Archant)

Romford Recorder: Staff and families celebrating the opening of the new play garden at the Ardleigh Green Family Centre.Staff and families celebrating the opening of the new play garden at the Ardleigh Green Family Centre. (Image: Archant)

Romford Recorder: Staff and families celebrating the opening of the new play garden at the Ardleigh Green Family Centre.Staff and families celebrating the opening of the new play garden at the Ardleigh Green Family Centre. (Image: Archant)

Romford Recorder: Staff and families celebrating the opening of the new play garden at the Ardleigh Green Family Centre.Staff and families celebrating the opening of the new play garden at the Ardleigh Green Family Centre. (Image: Archant)