Steve Brine took his children, Emily and William, along to the special event after a busy surgery, as the parish council was joined by local city councillors Jan Warwick and Mike Southgate, alongside the head-teachers of All Saints' Primary and Shepherds Down Special School, with Stuart Dunbar-Dempsey representing the city council's Open Spaces Fund.
As Olympic Volunteers from the Parish arrived, Cllr Southgate introduced them personally to Steve, before they cut the ribbon, to open the games area, which is dedicated to those in the parish who have fought and died for their country.
'The Memorial Games Area' name came as a result of a local competition, and the winner was Adrian Walmsley, whose suggestion was readily adopted and appears on the plaque.
In the children's section of the competition, Oliver and Isobel Sadler were the winners, their title being Percy's Park and Geoffrey's Games area, remembering two of the seventeen members of our Parish, who died in The First World War. Michael and Leon Grinevich were runners up, and all the children were delighted to receive their respective free entries to Marwell Zoo.
Steve Brine said: "I was delighted to pop along to this special opening, and I know young Emily and William were too! This is a fantastic new facility, and I am very proud that as well as having a poignant and important name, so many local people will benefit. A very big well done to everyone involved."