THESE photographs will bring back memories for Bell Farm residents of a certain age, we’re sure.
Taken by Press photographers over the years, they show the various stages in the development of the estate’s adventure playground. Recognise any faces, anyone?
The earliest photograph in the sequence (top) is dated July 26, 1971, and shows a British Rail freight container being winched into place at Byland Avenue to act as the temporary headquarters of what was then known as the Bell Farm and Byland Avenue adventure playground.
The container was swung across a drainage dyke by crane, causing quite a sensation, judging by the number of spectators who came out to watch.
Organised by the 1971 York Playspace Committee with the local tenants organisation, the container was to remain in place for six weeks.
Other photos show:
August 1979: children playing on a wooden tower that is scheduled for demolition:
August 1979
Locals had made a start on building the adventure playground but decided they had to demolish the wooden tower after finding it was unsafe. The residents pledged the playground would be rebuilt.
April 2, 1981: Soldiers from 16 Royal Engineers putting the finishing touches to the 100ft aerial runway that was designed to be the main component of the Bell Farm adventure playground
April 2, 1981
August 11, 1981: Six overseas volunteers arriving to help run the adventure playground project over the summer. They were photographed getting to know local children:
August 11, 1981
August 10, 1982: Bell Farm children starting work on a mural for a new play hut near the adventure playground:
August 1982: Children working on a mural
June 18, 1983: York bands Catch XXII and Haywire getting together with the Bell Farm Adventure Playground committee to raise funds for the play project
June 18, 1983
August 1, 1987: Zulu warriors (Okay, so they were were regulars of the Bridge Hotel: times were different then) taking to York’s streets to raise money for an inflatable fun castle for the adventure playground.
“We are doing our bit to help the kids,” spokesman Nibby Johno told The Evening Press. “Last year we dressed up as cowboys and indians and raised more than £2,000.”
August 1, 1987
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