Youngsters celebrate playgroup's silver jubilee

One silver balloon for each year of the Busy Bees Playgroup's existence was sent high into the blue sky by its children.

The celebration was organised by playgroup leader Elaine Maskell to recognise the business's achievement in reaching the milestone.

Each of the 45 children registered with the group also received a commemorative pencil case.

They had spent the week leading up to last Friday'sanniversary making silver jubilee-related items such as silver bees and badges.

A disco was held as well the previous week to mark the occasion.

The playgroup has always been based at South Bersted Church Hall in Bersted Street where six staff work for Mrs Maskell every weekday morning and three afternoons.

She said: 'I hope the playgroup continues for many years. The parents are the key to its success.

'They have always supported us. I would hope they and the children come to talk to us whenever they want. We always aim to be approachable.'

Mrs Maskell has worked with the playgroup for 19 years. She has run it for 18 years. The first six of those were in partnership with another employee.

One of the children in her care, Logan Woods (4), is the son of a child she looked after in her early years at the playgroup.

Logan's mum, Bianca Rimmer (25) from South Bersted, said: 'I started in the playgroup when I was three and left when I was school age.

'I quite liked being here from what I remember, though the hall has completely changed,' she explained.

'I looked at several other playgroups for Logan but this is a nice playgroup with friendly staff.'