The Playcode....

I was listening to the radio yesterday morning and they had picked up on a story about how a local council has instructed North Tyneside children how to play outdoors..... 

Residents complained about several incidents where groups of children were playing ball games and another complained about a child kicking a ball into a garden and damaging some plants....

This has resulted in an information leaflet been sent out to local residents with details of a 'Playcode'....

The playcode states....

• If there is a kickabout site in your area, use it if your parents agree....
• Don’t play out alone, always tell your parents where you will be and when you will be back....
• Playing in roads is very dangerous and can be against the law....
• Keep your play area tidy - take your little home or bin it, and report any glass or dog dirt....
• Try not to damage plants or trees - even if they do make good goalposts....
• If your ball goes in a garden - knock and ask before going in to get it....
• Don’t climb over walls, hedges and fences to get your ball back.....
• Play somewhere else if the balls keep going in gardens or causing damage....
• Try not to be noisy - that is shouting and the sounds of balls on the walls....
• Don’t play in one place for a long time especially late into the evening....
• If you cause damage it’s fairest to own up or at least tell your parents....
• Unless on a proper pitch, use a softball to avoid damage....

  
You can read the full article here... 

This list is so ridiculous and so condescending to parents.... Yes it is great for encouraging safe play for children but surely parents should not have to be reminded of this.....It's just common sense! 

Once upon a time children were allowed to play without being issued a heap of rules.....The only rules there was when I was a kid was not to talk or go with strangers and to be home before dark....The rest I knew as I had respect for other people, their property and a bit of common sense!!

Another thing I don't get is how people can complain about groups of children yet they are instructed not to play out alone....Guess they never thought that one through....

It does seem in and around Newcastle they have a problem letting kids being kids.....It was only a little while ago that a group of girls were stopped from making a den and reported for antisocial behavior....