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 This past weekend, Aldingbourne Country Centre celebrated the grand opening of its newest attraction, Cherry Tree Village—a unique role-play village for children to explore, play, and dream big. The Chair of Aldingbourne Parish Council, Councillor Dr. Mario Trabucco, attended alongside the Deputy Mayor of Bognor Regis, Councillor Gill Yeates, and Bognor Regis Town Crier Jane Smith. The event also welcomed competition winners and notable contributors, including representatives from CBRE and Waterhaven Place. We started off with refreshments in the Quarry Conference Room, where our colouring competition winners were presented with special mayoral outfits. With a little help from Bognor Regis Town Crier Jane Smith, they ensured their hats were worn just right—because no detail is too small on a day like this! Karen Tyrrell, Aldingbourne Country Centre Visitor & Enterprise Operations Manager, shared the vision behind Cherry Tree Village, "Two years ago, this idea popped into my head about seeing the growing visitor attraction market for indoor play areas and how we could bring that to the Country Centre here but make it bigger and better! It made absolute sense that we made something in an outdoor environment, a space where families can enjoy playing together and learning in a safe environment... It's just so much better than I could have ever imagined." The crowd gathered at Cherry Tree Village for the official ribbon-cutting ceremony. Sienna and Fliss joined the Chair of Aldingbourne Parish Council, Dr. Mario Trabucco, to declare the village open before taking charge of their chosen shops--Blossoms Grow and Go and Punnets Farm Shop. Dr. Mario Trabucco, Chair of Aldingbourne Parish Council, shared his pride in the Trust's achievements: "This is a success story that makes our parish proud. You've created something that enhances dignity by giving opportunities where others might not. Cherry Tree Village is a reminder to us all to find the golden nugget inside every one of us." Cherry Tree Village was made possible partly thanks to a grant from the South Downs National Park Authority through the Farming in Protected Landscapes (FiPL) programme. The funding supported the development of farming-related shops and services within the village, helping to educate children about the Countryside Code and the connections between farming, food, and nature. Children and families explored the shops, farm, and construction site, with five-year-old Sienna naming the sandpit and diggers as her favourite part. Her parents said, "We love Aldingbourne - it fits in so well with our parenting ethos. We love being outside and seeing the children enjoy different experiences. And, of course, it's great to support a charity."  Deputy Mayor Gill Yeates was impressed by the transformation, saying, "I've been here over the years, and the development is unbelievable. It's exceptional. Role-play is so important for children - they love dressing up and trying on new lives. In this realistic setting, they can do it with other children too, which is great for integration. It's a fantastic starting point for them." Jane Smith, Town Crier, added, "Cherry Tree Village creates a safe space where children can explore roles, regardless of gender or expectation. To learn this through play is an incredible resource - it's about discovering who you really are." Cherry Tree Village is now open exclusively for Annual Members until Friday, the 6th of December. After that, it will be closed briefly while Santa's Elves add a little Christmas magic in preparation for our festive event, A Charitable Christmas, taking place on the 14th and 15th of December. Cherry Tree Village will re-open to everyone on Monday, the 16th of December! Aldingbourne Trust champions adults with learning disabilities and autism, placing them at the heart of everything we do. We hold the government accountable, ensuring policies and funding are fair and effective. Through innovation and collaboration, our focus is on delivering meaningful solutions for the adults we support, as well as our much-respected staff and volunteers. We strive to make a lasting impact, guiding people to the help they need and creating a future where everyone thrives. Visit our website to find out more about us: www.aldingbournetrust.org  MAKE at Aldingbourne Enterprises is thrilled to announce a generous $30,000 donation from The Eisner Foundation, a non-profit based in California founded by Michael Eisner, owner of Portsmouth Football Club, and his wife, Jane. This donation will fund a new CCTV and security system, enhancing safety and security at MAKE, where we support adults with learning disabilities and autism in building skills for independent living and community employment.
This support comes at a crucial time, as a recent break-in left both staff and those we support feeling apprehensive. "The new security systems will certainly give peace of mind to the team," shared Michelle Mckinley Bell, Head of Enterprise & Development. "It will allow us to monitor both the internal and external perimeters of the building after hours, helping everyone feel more secure." MAKE is honoured to be one of four Portsmouth charities chosen by The Eisner Foundation, along with Spark Community Space, Pompey in the Community, and The Lifehouse. Special thanks to Trent Stamp from The Eisner Foundation, Steve Cripps from PMC, and Steve Pitt, leader of Portsmouth City Council, for putting MAKE forward for this support. Michelle added, "Partnerships and donations such as these are so important. Together we are stronger, and working with The Eisner Group, among many other organisations, helps us raise awareness of the important work we do and build strong connections to make a difference to our community and the people we support." About Us: Aldingbourne Trust champions adults with learning disabilities and autism, placing them at the heart of everything we do. We hold the government accountable, ensuring policies and funding are fair and effective. Through innovation and collaboration, our focus is on delivering meaningful solutions for the adults we support, as well as our much-respected staff and volunteers. We strive to make a lasting impact, guiding people to the help they need and creating a future where everyone thrives. |
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