CHILDREN in Calne could be without their annual summer playscheme this year unless more organisers and helpers can be found.

A planning meeting was held last Thursday to see what support could be found for the playscheme committee and a further meeting is due to be held at the Lansdowne Strand Hotel next month.

After nearly two decades of organising the scheme, Teresa Quinn, 70, of Oxford Road, Calne wants to retire so is looking for new volunteers to help apply for grants, book premises and buy equipment, among other tasks.

She said: “At the moment it’s looking a bit more likely to run, we had a meeting last week and there were a few more people who came forward.

“It’s looking a bit more optimistic but it would be good to have a few more people.

“We ended up doing so much it became a chore and you resent it a bit – the more people who can share jobs, the better.”

The Calne Playscheme was originally set up to run just for two weeks but was soon expanded to four to give children more to do during the school holidays.

The childcare scheme allows children from age five to 13 to take part in art and craft activities as well as playing sport and games.

Ms Quinn said: “We have always worked on the basis it’s traditional play so there are no electric toys but lots of opportunities to make a mess, build things and run around.

“I think it’s absolutely great and parents say it’s a really great service. We keep the price down very low so any can afford to come – it’s always been our way that nobody would be excluded.

“There were people at the last meeting who didn’t want it to close so that’s a positive – it would be lovely if it continued.”

Anyone who wishes to find out more can attend the planning meeting at the Lansdowne Strand Hotel on February 11 at 7.45pm.