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Fun in the sun at Kilnwood Vale community event

Over 300 Kilnwood Vale residents gathered at the green space in the heart of their new community on Saturday, 28 July. An opportunity to celebrate the growing development, meet their neighbours and learn more about the local area, the community fun day was a roaring success.

The community’s furry friends were centre stage on the day with prizes up for grabs in a mini dog show. Residents enjoyed beers from local Hepworth Brewery and BBQ burgers from Crawley-based Tilgate Bakery. For youngsters there was the opportunity to take part in karate workshops and face painting. Local PCSOs were on hand to answer questions from the Kilnwood Vale community.

To top it all, over £300 was raised from the event, with all monies being donated to local charities Chestnut Tree House Children’s Hospice and St Catherine’s Hospice, and the Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide support group.

Residents were delighted with the event, with many relishing the chance to enjoy the summer sun with their new neighbours. Resident Deborah Duckham praised all those involved in building the new community, saying: “It really was great to see so many residents out and about. It was good to meet so many neighbours…and their dogs!”

Thrilled to see so many people turn out

The event’s organiser, and Preim’s community mobiliser at Kilnwood Vale, Anna Grimshaw, was thrilled to see so many of her neighbours turn out for the fun day: “New developments rarely have events such as these and we’re proud to be making a name for ourselves as an engaged and thriving community,” Anna said.

Award-winning developer, Crest Nicholson, is the master developer for Kilnwood Vale and was behind the summer event. The first residents were welcomed to the development in 2014 and, today, over 600 people call Kilnwood Vale home – making events like the fun day so important in bringing together the growing community.

Managing director of Crest Nicholson Strategic Projects, Andrew Dobson, explained: “The vision for Kilnwood Vale follows our core garden village principles, considering social, environmental and economic factors and a significant part of that is ensuring the community feels empowered.

“Amenities throughout the development, including the green space where today’s event was held, will be owned and managed by the community. That makes events like these incredibly important too – giving all an opportunity to enjoy the communal spaces and feel at home in Kilnwood Vale.”

Preim’s role supporting the growing Kilnwood Vale community

Preim has helped to establish and grow many garden villages across the UK – helping to transition the ownership of amenities from developer to community, maintaining green spaces, and in empowering communities with the likes of a community mobiliser to organise events and answer resident questions.

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As the development continues to grow and change, Preim will be there to support the community and ensure the vision for Kilnwood Vale is maintained. We are sure that will include many more events like the fun day – in fact, we know Anna is already busy planning firework celebrations, Halloween events and Christmas activities!