New Brabner Park youth shelter

Young people using the Brabner Park play area in Folkestone now have a new teen shelter. The shelter, which was installed on Thursday (10 July), has a built-in solar powered radio and light. It cost just over £10,000 and was paid for by the De Haan Charitable Trust.

The Trust was approached by Jon Clarke from the Hill Road Baptist Church and Kent County Council Community Warden, Nick Adams who have been working with the Folkestone East Youth Council to look at ways the play area can be improved.

"Young people from the council said they would like a new shelter to replace one that is in a very exposed location and not very comfortable," said Nick. "Nadine Gallagher from the youth council wrote to the De Haan Trust and the young people in the area were delighted with the positive response. Shepway Council, which owns the land, gave permission for the teen shelter to be installed and it is already proving a hit."

Trevor Minter from the De Haan Charitable Trust said: "The Roger De Haan Charitable Trust is pleased to help local projects which support young people particularly with sports and active pursuits. At Brabner Park we look forward to a package of improvements to be provided in partnership between the Trust and Shepway District Council."

Future plans for the park include new level football pitch and a new adventure play area that will be funded by The Big Lottery Fund, Folkestone Town Council, Kent County Council and De Haan Charitable Trust.