MINETY Church of England primary school is now a step closer to raising around £15,000 needed for the installation of an all weather outdoor play area.

The 123 pupil school hosted a Midsummer Night’s Dream themed dinner and dance on Saturday 21st June 2014 which raised an estimated £5,000 towards the project.

School administrator Caroline Saxby explained the need for the area, saying “We’re just lucky as a school to have such vast grounds, but with the British weather it gets very churned up with so many kids running around on it.”

The new area’s artificial grass will allow children to play football and take part in PE activities without running around the playground where younger years will be.

Estimates of the cost of the project go as high as £15,000 and would have been a pipedream without the support of a committed PTA and the group of parents who form a ‘ball committee’ each year.

Caroline praised the hard work of the volunteers describing the ball as “Such a lot of work for so many, but so worth it when we look at what we pull together and how much money is made for the school.”

Head Teacher Sally Greaves echoed Caroline’s sentiments, thanking all who helped with the organisation and describing the event as dreamlike and brilliantly organised.

The school is also planning to hold a disco on Friday July 11 and a summer fete on Friday July 18 which will raise further funds for the project. For more details call 01666 860257.