Over 400 people turned up for the official opening of Skipton children's centre, one of North Yorkshire County Council's flagship services, which celebrated its first year with an official opening and a carnival last Saturday (July 24). Cynthia Welbourn, the county council's Director of Children and Young People's service and other senior officers along with North Yorkshire County Councillor Jim Clark and Cllr Paul Whitaker, chairman of Craven District Council, launched the event for families and residents in the town.

Children and their families, including many fathers and grandfathers as well as local people turned up in force to enjoy the carnival and BBQ and summer sunshine.

The carnival offered children and their parents and carers a range of activities including circus skills and musical instrument-making.

Skipton children's centre has been in operation for a year from a new multi-million pound "hub" in Brougham Street and three satellite sites at Ings primary school in Broughton Road; Otley Street and Greatwood. It now runs a comprehensive range of services in response to community needs.

As well as toddler groups and health care services, including a baby clinic with community midwives and health visitors, the children's centre has also been running music and movement classes for pre-school children, cookery classes for families in partnership with the county council's adult learning service, grandparent groups, first aid, basic skills training for carers and parents, baby massage, breastfeeding peer support and much more.

The children's centre also aims to develop an allotment garden for the children to grow vegetables and a programme of musical activities in the autumn in response to the children's wishes.

Two sets of parents, a father and mother, gave a presentation on the day to show people how the children's centre had helped them support their families, build up confidence and re-train. The father, who had lost his job, had taken a childcare course through the children's centre and was now applying for jobs. The mother had taken GCSE equivalent qualifications through the centre and was about to embark on a childcare course.

Heidi Farrar, Skipton children's centre manager said the open day offered families and other local residents a great opportunity to come and see what the children's centre had to offer. She said: "This centre is a great asset to the town and of benefit to all families. This was a really celebratory day and a wonderful showcase of the wide range of services available."

County Councillor John Watson, North Yorkshire's Executive Member for Schools and Early Years said: "This was a great day and thoroughly enjoyed by everybody who came to the carnival. Skipton children's centre is now pressing ahead to develop services which are proving a mainstay for many families and invaluable to the wider community, ensuring children have the best start in life."

The carnival was run in partnership with Brougham Street nursery school.

Picture shows: Children and Skipton children's centre staff celebrate the opening day carnival in style along with Cynthia Welbourn (front right) North Yorkshire County Council's Corporate Director for Children and Young People's Service and County Councillor Jim Clark

27 July 2010