This website has been the home of the on-going campaign to Keep Stonebridge Adventure 
Playground Open & free for children. We have received tremendous support for this through
our online petition …
The petition remains open so if you haven't already signed your support then please do so.
The responses of those who have signed so far is a testimony to the value of a Playground like
Stonebridge which is at the heart of the local community, and remains a safe haven for children of
all ages to come and socialise and express themselves in a variety of ways.
We would like to pass on our heartfelt thanks to everyone who has supported this campaign
which was started in the Autumn of 2010 by Audley Harrison who attended the Stonebridge Centre
when he was a young boy.
1.
We need to keep it open! I went there years ago and the centre helps to show kids that there is more to life than just hanging
around on street corners.....keep it open!!! :) - John Conneely, UK
2.
Keep our play centre open for our kids!! - Chantelle Anderson , NW London
3.
Is this 4 real the playground has been there 4 years it’s bad enough what goes on in the area but now ur gonna take wots left
for the kids just goes to show the government wont to draw the stress out of little innocent kids and give them nothing to do
where they live I think its a joke..........what do they wont the land 4????? to build them crappy cheep houses! this area is
beyond a joke! - Darren Woollard, NW London
4.
Why with London's increased urbanisation is there NO consideration given to children and increasingly, under 25s. Let's keep
this space open and our children happy. They ARE our future. - Bryan Anderson, NW London
5.
The adventure playground is one of the few places within the area that the children can go and have fun and make friends in a
safe and welcoming environment. It has been a part of the community for many years. Anybody that has attended a
playscheme or afterschool club or even just gone on a Saturday morning have very happy and fond memories. the workers all
enjoy their job and it reflects in the happiness of the many children that have gone there and who attend now. ADVENTURE
PLAYGROUND MUST STAY... Christina Alcide, NW London
6.
Save Brent's last adventure playground - Isabel Wilkinson, NW London
7.
KeeP Stonebridge Adventure open. This is the only place for the young people to go that is safe and secure with great staff. If
this goes what will the young people do. KEEP PLAYCENTRE OPEN - Marcus Sealy, NW London
8.
The centre provides a valuable and much needed service for children and families in and around Stonebridge and the
dedicated staff have continued to provide opportunities for young people to develop their creative, social, and educational skills
in a safe and caring environment. While conducting some research on the estate, many local families saw the playcentre as
central to their community and without the centre, many families who face multiple disadvantages will lose a crucial service. -
Suzella Palmer, Luton, UK
9.
Over the years the provision for children has dwindled to the point where there is almost nothing anymore. We need to take a
stand and think about our growing community of children. - Cindy Yemoh, NW London
10.
The centre is a great place for the youngsters where. Not only is it a safe place but they also have good mentors there. Its well
used centre which needs to remain open. - Ian Braithwaite, NW London
11.
Keep the play centre open, the children of stonebridge need it, it’s a part of us. - Carmen Williams, NW London
12.
I grew up playing and learning here with my friends and family. I have great fond memories. I remember watching my first
Michael Jackson video Thriller and listening to music and playing. It was of the fist places I became inspired. - Maria Lawson,
Canary Wharf, London
13.
4 generations of kids in my family have been through Stonebridge Adventure Playground. - Andre Artry, Wembley
14.
I used the playground between the years of 82' - 88' and have such great memories of the time there. It would be a shame for
future kids not to be able to grow, play safe and most importantly keep safe! - Tyrone Powell, UK
15.
KIDS NEED A PLACE TO GO. - Karen Coley, NW London
16.
This facility has been an institution, a beacon of refuge, play and social skills development for many children and teens alike
throughout the past three decades. It would be a travesty and a sad loss to our local community should the Stonebridge
Adventure Playground be made to close. It seems nonsensical to even suggest closure on what is deemed a valued part of our
community. - Terry Braithwaite, UK
17.
It would be a huge loss to the children (and future children) of Stonebridge if the Playground went. Invest in children's futures! -
Katharine Knight, Oxford, UK
18.
Do the right thing, keep it open. - Martha Baker, Essex, UK
19.
With children nowadays spending too much time indoors, closing down somewhere free for them to go and play safely,
penalises our next generation again, and causes more problems in a community (graffiti, knives and drugs)than saving a bit of
money can. its a false saving. – Caroline Bone, Harrow
20.
We need safe play areas for the children of Brent. Why should "upmarket" boroughs get all of this but not us!!! Come on Brent
we need to show the next generations they are worthy and deserve a good safe environment!! - Petra Cabaco, NW London
21.
I think that stonebridge adventure play ground should be kept open. I went there as a child my sisters and brother went there
to please keep it open - K. Bromham, NW London
22.
Please Please keep this vital centre open, there is nowhere else as good as Stonebridge Adventure where the young kids can
go to mix together and learn the values of fun and responsibilities, in a controlled healthy environment, we as parents and now
a grandparent have benefitted from the good work that Glynis, Dough and Patrick have been doing so faithfully, for nearly 30
years, my grandson is 16 now and his mum attended as a young child of 6, we have always said we would like his children to
attend when he has them. They are really a support to families, they can relate to the kids in a very positive way, so I have
always known when they do not listen to us parents they are getting good advice and direction from the team, who we see as
an extension to the family. I am sure there are hundreds of other parents that have had that same peace of mind to know the
team are there in times of troubles. I really can't thank them enough for all there help with my 3 children and 4 grandchildren.
Nuff Nuff Respect is due them. I only hope and pray my vote to keep them open can help them. - Jane Burrowes, NW London
23.
What else can people do??? - Jemima Wilson, UK
24.
I grew up in Stonebridge and often frequented the adventure playground and know how hard Patrick and the team work with
the kids and do a great job and I think it’s a vital part of the community for the children. - Nikki Fitzgerald, Harrow
25.
We must give our full support and work with the local community and council to secure funding or even ownership of The
Stonebridge Adventure Play Ground. - Colin Hunter, Acton
26.
This is a valuable and worthwhile cause to keep the kids off the streets. - Paul Johnson, Coventry, UK
27.
Stonebridge adventure playground must stay open. It has been an integral part of thousands of young people lives. The people
who run it and have worked there over the years have been a big influence on how our lives have turned out, I would not been
the man I am today without their help support and love that they showed me and my family when I grew up in the area. No
doubt the work they still do there is shaping the young people's lives for the better. Good Luck to everyone involved. (attended
between 1979-1990) - Jason Wall, Sheffield, UK
28.
I think it is very sad, that the government could even think about taking away, what has become a safe home for thousands of
children. A fair budget and a descent strategy is all they need. What could be so difficult? What next? They talk about putting
children first and even creating policies for children's rights. How could children have rights without even asking them how they
feel about such drastic action? They need to confer with the children of the community and see what destruction the closure if
Stonebridge will create. They have just rebuilt Stonebridge so children can live in a descent home and not roam the streets and
get into trouble, to keep them away from drugs, guns and knives. Where will the children go when the centre closes, "BACK
ON THE STREETS" We will be back to square one again. Save Stonebridge MEANS GIVING THE CHILDREN FREE OPEN
PLAY, to express themselves, make friends, learn new thoughts and ideas, creativity, language of all different cultures. -
Julyann Webb, NW London
29.
Keep Stonebridge Open, thanks - Noreen Stewart, London
30.
Keep Stonebridge Open - Andre Sherman, NW London
31.
If it wasn’t for the Stonebridge adventure playground, I would have literally been running the streets. Thinking back on the
great times I had, I think it would be a real shame if children were denied the same opportunities I was given. Which is why I
think it is extremely important to keep it open. - Lance Lindsay, UK
32.
Keep Stonebridge Open - Shereen Sherman , NW London
33.
Please Keep Stonbridge Open - Chrystelle Webb, NW London
34.
Keep Stonebridge Open - Eric Aselm, UK
35.
Our kids need a place to go ,if not more kids of the future will be on the street with nothing to do, and with nothing to do the
kids will only see crime as fun and through boredom. stop thinking about money all the time and think about the kids of today
and the future. - Joe Altin, NW London
36.
In such a built up estate with less and less room for people to play, it is essential we keep somewhere open for kids to develop
socially and have access. It served me well in the eighties, my sister going into the nineties, my niece and nephews in the
noughties. Long may it continue. STAY OPEN FOREVER! - Jamie Ross, Southampton, UK
37.
The Stonebridge Adventure Centre must remain open! It has a vital resource for the area and community. I remember going
there as a child. It was a wonderful place to hang out and to meet other kids. It must stay open.- Lawrence Coleman, NW
London
38.
This is an important facility for the young people in the community. A community which already challenged by lack of provision.-
Paulette Harris-German, NW London
39.
I am one of the old school members of the Stonebridge playscheme now my kids go there when they go to my mum’s in the
holiday this is the only thing I have left of my childhood that I can show my kids and they can go on to show their kids if this
place goes what do we have left please i am begging you don't close it down try and make it better thank you.- Patricia
Johnson, South London
40.
Please keep it open, it's a must for the community who have enjoyed this Adventure Playground for many years and hopefully
many more years to come. Thank you. - Kirsten Brynjolffssen, UK
41.
Stonebridge adventure has been around since I was a child and has done great things with the kids off the estate and far
beyond, the caring nature of all the staff and their positive attitude to learning and all things positive cannot be bought this
centre plays a vital role in linking and allowing kids of all back ground gender and race to come together and learn how to
accept each other from a young age. Funding should not be an option but a priority. - Fabian Burke, UK
42.
Spent my Youth there n will lie in front of a bulldozer if I have to....... - Alf Brogan, Northolt, UK
43.
I use to live in Palmers Court back in the mid 70's, attended Stonebridge Primary....for those that lived and breathe
Stonebridge... the playground was home to many of us back in our youthful days....keep the Park as part of our history...
Stonebridge history.... - Stephen Walters, McDonough, GA, United States
44.
I grew up attending the Stonebridge adventure playground, today I work with young people as a generic youth worker and
targeted youth support key worker. Without the experience of the play centre i would not be were I am today. I now have a
daughter who attends the play centre during the holidays even though i live in Southall. The play centre offers a safe controlled
environment where the children can enjoy and play. Please keep the play centre open!!! - Donna Smith, Southall, UK
45.
Good luck - Karin Walter, Sao Paulo, Brazil
46.
Keep the adventure playground open - Miss Bailey, NW London
47.
Keep Stonebridge Adventure playground alive for the many thousands of kids its shaped and will shape in the future. - Paul
Blackman, Slough, UK
48.
Keep Stonebridge Adventure Playground Open!!!!!! - Douglas Lee, Stuttgart, Germany
49.
I heart Glynis. - Benjamin Klott, Berlin, Germany
50.
Children need somewhere to go and this service is a valuable place and keeps the children off the streets - Amanda Hills, UK
51.
Keep Stonebridge Adventure open!!! - Sherron Gachette, NW London
52.
When the youth in our area are more at risk than ever it doesn't make sense that a safe haven like the Stonebridge Adventure
Playground should close. Common sense must surely prevail. - Anne McMahon, NW London
53.
Keep the children's spirits alive! - Princess Omega Gibbs, UK
54.
BIG UP STONEBRIDGE MAN DEM THEY CANT CLOSE IT DOWN THATS OUR MEMORIES - Mark Lendore, Kilburn, London
55.
This was a crucial resource for local young people when I was growing up there during the 1970s and 1980s. Having a place to
go and something to when you are growing up has always been important, but arguably it is more important today than ever
before. Please keep this vital resource open for all the young people in the Stonebridge area.- David Parker, London
56.
This is one of the few places where children can go and socialise, be creative with mutual respect of one another because the
workers there are in touch with the community and love their jobs. A place like SAP keeps children out of trouble and a place to
be! Keep Stonebridge Adventure Play Ground open. PLEASE – Thuy Doan, NW London
57.
My days at Stonebridge Play centre, are not only some of the best memories I have when growing up, but I believe it helped to
shape me into the person that I am today. I experienced things that without the play centre, I may never have got to do. I
appreciate Glynis, Doug and Patrick for taking the time to show the kids in Stonebridge that the world is "our" Oyster and if we
reach for the stars will get stars....I think that the "youths" of today need this type of stability and guidance in their life. The
centre needs to remain open. - Angela Buttler, UK
58.
Keep the Park Open! - Sheldon Thomas, UK
59.
It happened to be my best years of my life. - Kareena Hunter, Peterborough, UK
60.
I attended this play scheme when I was younger and it was very beneficial to me. The area is filled with children and the centre
is all about the community and provides an exciting, supervised area for our children to play. More importantly it teaches the
children there is still community spirit and dedication from the workers. I believe all those who attended Stonebridge Play
scheme will remember Doug, Glynis, Pat and other members for fun and support at the centre. It needs to remain open!!!!!!!! -
Sheeneta Hamilton, Kilburn, London
61.
I attended the play centre during the 80's and fully appreciate its huge importance for the community - Cleo de Jonf, UK
62.
Stonebridge Adventure Centre is a catalyst for the young children and families in the community. It has a proven track record of
35 years of real hands on community service. It is one of the most well used establish cornerstones of Brent which encourages
young children to seek out their potentials at an early age. We have seen over decades the political destruction of our
community... the closure of St Raphels and Church End Adventure centre, our local parks and recreation spaces sold off to
developers to create homes for profit whilst our children have nowhere to go other than hang out in shopping centres and on
street corners. It's time Brent Councillors invested in the people that elected them for local government and give something
back to their electors. Our votes have earned them the right to represent us in Parliament and surely their salaries have given
them a better life. Our children deserve that chance also. - Delroy Daley, UK
63.
This was my life line as a child and has continued to be for so many others over the years. Circumstances still remain the
same and local children are in desperate need of a loving, safe environment in which to play. This cannot and will not be
allowed to close! - Teresa Holleran, NW London
64.
I hope kids have more exciting and good places to play, not less. Cities are usually harsh places to raise kids... - Guilherme
Nune, Brazil
65.
Keep all hope alive - Tanya Dawkins, UK
66.
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE keep Stonebridge Adventure Playground open, I attended along with my 4 other siblings, school
friends and other family members! Perfect for our parents as they had somewhere safe where their children where looked after
whilst at work or studying, and perfect for us as we had FUN FUN FUN the staff were PERFECT they looked after us, kept us
safe it is an experience all children should have, I have ALOT of fond memories at this place. Please allow generations of other
children to experience the same thing! - Sacha Foster, Hackney, London
67.
KEEP Stonebridge Open!! - Sharline Routh, Wolverhampton, UK
68.
I have attended the play centre for year and would be devastated if it were to be closed. It is a landmark for good things to
come out of an area that has normally been associated with bad press. - Raphael Nkadi, UK
69.
Please keep this vital facility open. Stonebridge Adventure Playground provides parents with a safe and supervised
environment for their children to play in. Children are able to establish new friendships and develop socially. Stonebridge
Adventure Playground was an integral part of my childhood, providing me with hours and hours of fun. - Sophia Brown,
Wembley
70.
Please don't shut the playground. It’s been loved by generations of children from Stonebridge who would otherwise have had
nowhere else to go. - Caroline Reynolds, South Ruislip
71.
This is such an important place for the kids in Stonebridge I spent lots of my childhood there and it would be such a shame to
deny kids the same opportunity. - Claire Conway, Uxbridge
72.
We must keep this centre open for our sake, for the kids sake and the community sake! - Pamela Gerald, Luton
73.
We need more adventure Playgrounds, not fewer. - Suzannah Walker, Forest Gate, UK
74.
Best of luck with this work. It is so frustrating to see the work of the last government being unpicked by the present one. APGs
were hard fought for and hard won and we should treasure them not allow them to be in the first round of cuts. - Penny Wilson,
London
75.
The children are our future. The government want to reduce anti-social behaviour yet they want to close Stonebridge adventure
playground and give local children even less places to go and less things to do. This is not right and will most certainly leave a
gaping hole in the area. - Maria Stavrides, UK
76.
This amazing place has seen the likes of a whole community pass through its premises. I have personally witnessed at least 2
generations use its facilities. There are three adjacent schools to this playground that uses its facilities every day. It is also one
of a few unique places where parents can leave their children for the day or after school whilst they are out shopping or at work
etc whilst feeling assured that their children are in a safe and productive environment. To close this beautiful and unique set up
which has benefited at least 3 generations of children growing up in the community will not only be sacrilege but also a recipe
for disaster. - Jeffrey Fearon, Wembley
77.
Have great memories from growing up and living in Stonebridge as well as attending many a summer at Stonebridge
adventure playground....Feel there is nothing left for the kids and would LOVE for our children to be able to share in wonderful
memories many of their elders have experienced. - Kim Mayers, Wembley
78.
Children and communities need Adventure playgrounds. To close this will add to the existing play deprivation suffered by many
of the children in London - Eleanor Image, London
79.
Keep Stonebridge Open - Tillie Mobbs, Cardiff
80.
The value of adventure playgrounds to the children who use them cannot be measured in pounds alone. - Wendy Russell,
Nottingham, UK
81.
The benefits of adventure playgrounds are huge and immeasurable to children and young people but sadly often unrecognised
by adults. Investing in them now saves loads of money in the long run, because their healthy development and well-being
WILL suffer if this playground closes.... - Ali Wood, Solihull, UK
82.
Yes I agree that to KEEP STONEBRIDGE ADVENTURE PLAYGROUND OPEN... My parents always sent me to Stonebridge
adventure playground when I was young, as my parents knew that I was in safe hands with all the staff who worked there.
There are such great memories at Stonebridge adventure playground, it should be a listed building for all the young children
who now go there to experience the great staff team & learn loads. Also there is loads of fun none stop at Stonebridge
adventure playground. SO PLEASE KEEP STONEBRIDGE ADVENTURE OPEN - Donny Branford, NW London
83.
Keep Stonebridge adventure playground open. The children need it. - Hayley Cribb, Cleckheaton, UK
84.
Adventure playgrounds are great, and massively economical. They should NOT be cut! - Francis Barton, Gloucestershire, UK
85.
Please keep the playground open. A safe space to play and explore is essential to child development and the well being of
children and families. Please show these children that society does value them. - Nicole Krokidis, Lewisham, London
86.
We all need to play. Without space and opportunities to do this we lose an important part of life. I think any closure of
playgrounds is very sad.- Naomi Epps, UK
87.
Don't shut this playground. Deprived young people shouldn't have to pay for the greedy bankers' mistakes! - Adeola King, UK
88.
Please, do not do this. - Sara Sopena, NW London
89.
Save the outdoor playground in Stonebridge!! - Anat Schwarz, UK
90.
Play is a vital element of children's lives. Please let the important work that this adventure playground does continue. - Laura
Watkins, Sheffield, UK
91.
This will be a huge loss to an already deprived area. It will lead to a higher rate of street crime and children getting into
unhealthy activites which will in the long term put further costs on the council. - Georgina Hibbert, UK
92.
Every child has the right to play and without places to play we are putting at risk the future of every community. Children need
play places for socialisation, to take risks, to explore and find out themselves and their place in the community but most of all
to enjoy their childhood and become active and resilient future citizens. Keep up the fight! - Caroline Haworth, Somerset, UK
93.
A vital resource for children and for the community. This Adventure Playground should stay open. - Jacky Kilvington, Sheffield
94.
Please keep it open this is the heart of Stonebridge, these facilities keep the kids out of the streets. - Tuesdae Moncrieffe,
Brentford, Middlesex
95.
Many of my clients use this facility and it promotes the mental health and well-being of parents and their children. - Sara
Pearlman, NW London
96.
We all need to play. Without space and opportunities to do this we lose an important part of life. I think any closure of
playgrounds is very sad. - Naomi Epps, UK
97.
Adventure playgrounds should play a key role in every child's life and should be promoted and championed not closed down. -
Hena Aravindakshan, South Yorkshire, UK
98.
Please keep the playground free for the sake of the local children. - Sarah Goldsmith, East Sussex, UK
99.
The diminishing habitat for children to play freely across the country and particularly in our cities is a scandal. The importance
of free, varied and stimulating environments for their play is crucial to healthy & happy childhoods and communities. What
legacy are we leaving for the current and future generations? Stop this mindless attack. - Bridget Handscomb, Ilford, London
100.
Thank you Audely! - Edward O'Reilly, Northants, UK
101.
It should not even be a consideration that the future of the adventure playground is this awful position of facing closure. The
adventure has been operating before I was even born and I have grown up knowing the staff members and now working with
them. The facilities available there are excellent and the memories I have from attending the adventure as a child will always
remain an prominent part of my childhood that I will never forget. It is the only free provision that provides productive and fun
activities for all as well as role models to the younger generation who can look up to the staff members and approach for
advice and honest guidance which is essential for the children/teenagers living in a society of crime and violence. Without safe
places like the adventure for children to go who knows where they will end up hanging out/what they will be pressured into.
Stonebridge must remain open. - Charaina Kelly, NW London
102.
Stonebridge adventure is part of my childhood memories influencing my career choice. It is an essential part of the residents
past, present and future it is one of the rare places still operating that provides a safe and secure environment for children it is
part of our community and MUST stay open. - Kareena Kelly, NW London
103.
Great place for the kids - Kelly Tait, NW London
104.
Have to keep this open - Mark Conway, Harlow, UK
105.
We need to ring fence our investment in our youth. Allowing vital centres like this to close is short sighted and will end in us
having increased costs elsewhere in the borough as a consequence. - Melvyn Davis, UK
106.
This place is so good for the children of Stonebridge, between 40 - 80 children per day it must stay!!!!!! - Charlie King, London
107.
I was born and bred in Brent. Going to Stonebridge Adventure Centre as a child growing up was the epitome of my youth. It
was the place to go after school, during the half term breaks, and the summer holidays. Race or culture did not matter; all of us
were one in our adventures. The staff were great role models and mentors, and our parents had a piece of mind knowing we
were in safe hands with Patrick, Doug and Glynis etc. There needs to be MORE of these centres for the youth to go to, on a
daily basis, not just in Bridge but throughout Brent. Its no use building a concrete jungle for people to live in and not provide an
outlet for the youth to express themselves in a positive way. Youth cannot be criticised for being idle, if there is nowhere for
them to go. It’s not just a Centre, it is THE CENTRE. The buildings and structure in bridge have changed, but people still have
a place to live, why stop the funding for a centre that has so much potential to empower and structure the youth? It could be so
much more!!! - Charlotte Appeah, NW London
108.
This needs to be kept open, everyone’s commenting and we are people who are too old to go there NOW!!, but its because of
the memories, advice and support that we gained from the workers past and present, which has made SAP a INSTITUTION in
Stonebridge, for a area that has hardly any provision, to take away one so highly regarded by the community, just does not
make sense. - Robert Beckles, NW London
109.
I lived in Stonebridge from 1982 till late 80s the play ground has always been there ....ran by Doug and his wife at the time and
Patrick Coley they done a marvellous job...please keep centre open...let’s get more so called celebs to sponsor this project or
even take this to the dragons den...really make it a little different in the terms of what is offered..let’s work together. - Jennifer
Gerald, Hanworth, Middlesex
110.
Keep it open!!! - Paul Ndekwe, Wembley
111.
The Stonebridge Adventure Centre or "play centre", as i remember it being called will always be a special part of my childhood,
representing a place I could always go, both after school AND during the holidays and enjoy good wholesome fun as a kid with
friends. I remember Doug, Glynis and Patrick being fun mentors and always providing exciting activities for us. I am an adult
now and but SAP will always be with me. KEEP IT OPEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! - Dean Bridgewater, Canada
112.
Keep the centre open, if there is no playground then the children will get bored and hang around on the streets instead. This in
turn will lead to more street gangs. - Jamel Watson, UK
113.
Keep it Open - Mehmet Sak, London
114.
The Conservative government is cutting too fast and these rapid and overly substantial cuts are affecting the least privileged in
Stonebridge, London and the rest of the UK. Closing such an integral part of the community will only lead children towards
causing mischief because they have nothing to do, and this will cost London and the government more in the long run. - Ben
Cosentino, UK
115.
Community strength will prevail - Mark Bignell, London
116.
My Hood My Life Style , Look at this white child, Born and played much to wild, Keep it open because i wanna live my life now
- Balal Balal, NW London
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