NEWS IN 2008

Castree House Playroom

We are always looking at ways we can implement requests from groups to improve the service that we provide.

Over the years, as more and more groups have stayed in Castree House, we have had feedback from them that showed to us that a playroom would be a great addition to the facilities that we offer.

The garage at the end of Castree House was only used for storage and the trustees decided to convert the garage into a playroom with access from inside the house.

In January 2008 building work started and the project was completed very quickly. Funding for this project came from a London based company called United Designers. They came up with a design concept and approached many of their contacts to provide the fixtures and fittings and the end result was an innovative, creative and beautiful room. We have sensory lighting and a wonderful mural on one wall that was painted by the staff at United who came down for one day in February to see how work was progressing and to add their personal touch to the design. On completion of the project they even donated a large cheque to cover the costs of the building work! We are extremely grateful to everyone involved at United for their hard work and generosity in making this project happen so quickly.

In May 2007, a group of runners from Fairford completed the 10k run as part of the Fairford festival and donated their sponsorship money to Macaroni Wood to help with the cost of converting the garage. Thanks to the generosity of United Designers we have been able to use that money to purchase items of equipment that make the playroom very special for our young visitors. The playroom now has a computer, flat screen television, sound system and art materials. All feedback to date has been extremely positive and has given us further ideas on how to develop the project further.