Youngsters have tackled the issue of not having a meeting spot in Cranbrook - by hand-building their very own!

A group of children and teenagers in Cranbrook have constructed a wooden shelter in the town’s country park.

Working with community projects ‘Carving Community’ and Action East Devon, the group assembled the wooden structure, which will showcase their skill and teamwork for years to come.

Hannah Reynolds, Action East Devon’s operations manager, said: “Although Cranbrook is a growing town with spaces for young children as part of the development process, there are as yet few facilities for young people and no space that is actually theirs. With Carving Community’s help and co-operation from the housing developers, 12 young people have made a wooden shelter space that has been permanently installed in Cranbrook Country Park as a place they can call their own.”

The group worked tirelessly to erect the structure in a week’s time - between May 17 and 21.

Proud parents and supporters of the project, including town and district councillors, celebrated the youngsters’ achievements at a well-attended unveiling ceremony held earlier this month.

Cllr Andrew Moulding, chair of East Devon District Council, congratulated all those involved before the youngsters were awarded certificates by town councillor Barry Rogers. Cllr Kevin Blakey, chair of Cranbrook Town Council said: “‘It was good to see the event so well supported as the young people of the town had worked really hard to design and build the shelter, learning many new skills along the way and working outside in all weathers.

“This is a wonderful and striking addition to the town and one which we hope will be appreciated by many residents as they enjoy the Country Park over the years to come.”

In 2015, the town council unanimously agreed it would be a good idea to install a youth shelter in Cranbrook after being addressed by former community development worker Keith Johnson.

The shelter discussed at the time was solar-powered and kitted out with bluetooth-enabled speakers, controllable volume and lights.