BLACKFORD C of E Primary School has been selected as a finalist in The Lanes Shopping Centre's £1,000 Community Fund. 

The school's Parent, Teacher, and Friends of Blackford School Association (PTFBA) aims to improve the school's facilities, with the benefit of the wider community at its heart.

As part of The Lanes' Community Fund, which was launched in April, Blackford C of E Primary School was selected by a panel of judges as one of six finalists who would be in the running for the funding. 

After being chosen as a finalist, PTFBA member Suzy Ackerley was on hand to explain more about the group. 

She said: "The Parent, Teacher And Friends of Blackford School Association (PTFBA) was established in November 2023.

"The PTFBA’s constitution includes improving the provision of facilities at the school, for the benefit of the wider community.

"Our vision is to develop the school grounds into a space which brings communities together and where families can socialise in what is otherwise a rurally disadvantaged area with no play facilities nearby."

Suzy also explained what the PTFBA would do with the £1,000 fund if it was selected as a winner.

She said: "The next stage of our community space development is to build and install a large sandpit, again made from natural resources.

"If successful, the Lanes Community Fund would be used to fund this project, further developing play opportunities for children. 

"Sand is a wonderful medium for children to experience and explore and helps a child develop fine motor skills like those needed to use a small shovel or build a castle. 

"Sand play also helps children develop more complex social skills like sharing & communicating with peers. Sand play also encourages and stimulates children’s imaginative play and creativity."

Voting for The Lanes Shopping Centre's £1,000 Community Fund opened on Tuesday, August 27 via the shopping centre's Facebook page. 

Voting will close on Tuesday, September 3, with the recipient of the fund set to be announced shortly after and locals are encouraged to support their favourite before the public voting period concludes.