Who remembers playing out when you were kids? Tearing around on your Raleigh Chopper, kicking a ball around with some mates, pretending not to hear your mum when she called you in for tea? Happy memories for those of us of a certain age, but sadly, something that's increasingly rare for kids today. Well one group of neighbours decided to do something about it - with remarkable results Our Special Recognition Award winners are the fabulous Playing Out.
Frustrated that their children were unable to play outside because of the busy roads and lack of open space two neighbours came up with an idea.
If residents were able to apply for a street party, why could they not use the same procedure to close the street to traffic one day after school and allow local kids to play outside? Using this vision, the first Playing Out session launched in June 2009 and saw around 30 children of all ages playing on the street together.
This soon grew to five local streets and by September 2011, Bristol City Council launched a pilot scheme allowing residents to open streets for play up to three hours per week.
Within a year, 17 Bristol streets had applied for regular playing out sessions benefiting around 500 children. Growing into a national movement, 56 other councils have now copied the idea and over 800 street and estate communities have had a Playing Out session. The mums recently teamed up with British Cycling to encourage more parents to reclaim their streets and give their children the opportunity to cycle and play freely.