New play area opened at Ingfield Manor School

Scope's Ingfield Manor School opened a new play area on Wednesday 23 June. The area was dedicated to the memory of George Cracknell, a Friend of Ingfield for over 30 years.

After the plaque unveiling by Sheila Cracknell, George’s wife, the children then had their first play in the area, followed by a teddy bears’ picnic. The area has been designed with pre-school and young children in mind, and will be used mainly by children at the school’s Pre-School and Assessment Centre, and the families attending the Dame Vera Lynn Trust School for Parents.

Don Newport, Chair of The Friends of Ingfield, explained: “This is our opportunity to thank all those who donated money to make this area possible. In particular Claire Jaggers, a former Scope employee, and her husband Tom, who asked all that all their wedding gifts were donations to the play area, and so boosted the scheme in a big way, and our local donors represented today such as Billingshurst Lions, Chanctonbury Lodge and Rob Bartlett.”

He went on to introduce Sheila Cracknell, saying: “We are very pleased to be able to dedicate the area to George Cracknell, who was a Friend of Ingfield for over 30 years and a founding trustee of The Dame Vera Lynn Trust.”

George Cracknell, Friend of Ingfield

George Cracknell’s first appearance at Ingfield was in 1975 when he ran a roll-a-penny stall at the summer fete. A couple of years later he and his wife joined the Friends committee on which they served for 20 years - for much of this time George was Treasurer. Subsequently, George became a founder Trustee of the Dame Vera Lynn Trust. He died suddenly in September 2009.

Sheila was helped with the unveiling by Charlie Ferrier, age five, and Brendan McPeake, age six.

While the children, and some adults, went on to enjoy the swing, sandpit and racetrack, Sheila said: “It has been a very nice occasion. George would be honoured. I hope the children get lots of enjoyment out if the area. They certainly have today.”