4:55pm Wednesday 18th August 2010
By Sarah Maling
At 12pm today, the Amer Funfair opened its gates to Watford Mencap for two hours of free rides and refreshments in St Georges Park, Bushey. Funfair owner, John Amer, organised the afternoon along with Hertsmere borough Council and all of Watford Mencap’s members and service users were invited along.
Hertsmere District Council has a close relationship with Watford Mencap and have been organising the funfair for them for several years.
Shaz Setoudeh, Hertsmere Council events officer explained; ‘We love delivering this kind of service. Our whole principle is about being inclusive and we like to offer activities accessible to all parts of the community’.
Over 150 Watford Mencap members, service users, volunteers and staff turned up, and were treated to a burger and drink before enjoying a variety of rides.
Councillor Jean Heywood also turned up to support the day explaining; ‘I support all Watford Mencap and Hertsmere events. This is the fourth year I have been to the funfair. It’s fantastic to see everyone and the smiles it puts on their faces.’ Watford Mencap’s Leisure Together scheme, which runs in Hertsmere, Three Rivers and Watford, aims to enable adults with learning disabilities to enjoy social events.
Lata Rees, Senior Leisure Together Coordinator, said of the day; "The children and adults who use Watford Mencap's services, together with staff and volunteers had a fantastic day out at the Funfair. We are very grateful to Shaz and Hertsmere Borough Council as well as John Amer and his team for hosting this very popular annual event for us".
Watford Mencap would like to thank Hertsmere Council and John Amer for organising the event. We look forward to going again next year!
© Copyright 2001-2012 Newsquest Media Group
http://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/trade_directory/