Play area named after Ibstock local Kathleen Wilson

Four generations of the Wilson family turned out for the official opening of the refurbished under 5s play area in Ibstock, which has now been named after Kathleen Wilson.

Kathleen and Albert Wilson were born and bred in Ibstock and Albert started a local building company which built its first homes in Ibstock in the first half of the last century – and over the next 60 years went on to become a national homebuilder. The tradition has continued in Davidsons, which is owned by the Wilson family and has its head office in Ibstock. It stepped in to fund the refurbishment of the Melbourne Road play area providing all new equipment and fencing to make it fun and secure.

Along with the Wilson family, Stuart Farmer, chairman of Ibstock Parish Council and children from the Holmsdale Manor Nursery in Ibstock took part in the opening ceremony.

Stuart Farmer explained “The play area was earmarked to be redeveloped and improved, and it had come up in a conversation with James Wilson from Davidsons. He said that they would step in and fund the refurbishment. They have spent a considerable amount of money on the work and done a great job. The new equipment looks marvellous and I’m sure Ibstock’s under 5s will make good use of it. As a thank you we have now named the play area after James Wilson’s grandmother Kathleen”.

James Wilson, managing director of Davidsons, said “As a local company with strong links to the village over a number of years we were only too happy to fund the work when we found out the play area needed improving. We’re delighted that it’s been named after my grandmother and it was lovely that so many members of the family could come along to help officially open it, including my father David, my daughter Sophie, who cut the ribbon, and Kath’s many grandchildren and great grandchildren.”

Davidsons Homes have a development in Ibstock called ‘Bakers Croft’ which is opposite the entrance to Sence Valley Nature Park. Davidsons have other developments in Leicestershire at Anstey, Scraptoft Hall and Whetstone. For more information visit: www.davidsonsgroup.co.uk