WITHYBUSH Hospital’s crèche has a newly renovated and re-opened outdoor play area thanks to the hard work of builders giving up their free time.

Builders from national construction firm Willmott-Dixon have rejuvenated the play area of the crèche at the request of Ann’s Withybush Volunteer Ground Force.

Willmott-Dixon is currently building the new Welsh secondary school in Haverfordwest.

“It all started because Simon Radford the build manager saw the flyer I put in Morrisons looking for helpers,” said David Williams of the Ground Force team.

The construction firm first became involved in the volunteers efforts to keep the hospital grounds clear last summer, and soon decided to use their building expertise to renovate the crèche. 

Since February, Willmott-Dixon has sent at least two men and sometimes more to work on the crèche every other week.

The team has built a retaining wall to flatten out the previously sloping garden, erected a boundary fence, replaced the grass with artificial turf, and bought new play equipment.

Willmott-Dixon build manager Simon Radford said: "Every project we work on we try to leave a positive legacy in the community."

The construction company's team worked through rain, and briefly had to postpone work due to snow at the start of March.

"We really battled through all the elements to get this job done at the crèche, and it's lovely to see the results," he added.

Materials were donated by Jewson, Wickes, and LBS Builders Merchants, after David Williams approached them for help.

Willmott-Dixon’s suppliers also gave materials to the project, including the artificial turf.

The works, which have all been carried out for free, would have cost anywhere between £10,000 and £20,000 if carried out by a contractor.


Western Telegraph:
Before: How the creche outside area used to look.

Western Telegraph:
After: The newly renovated creche.

Sharon Davies, manager of the crèche said the staff were overwhelmed, and had been waiting for a funding for renovation work for more than 20 years.

“This is a godsend.

“This is going to mean so much. The children are going to thrive so much from the outside area,” she said.

Ann’s Withybush Volunteer Ground Force works to keep the grounds of Withybush and Bro Cerwyn tidy.

For more information see their Facebook group or contact David Williams on 01646 695823.