LATEST NEWS

The latest installation of our Outdoor Gym and Fitness Equipment has received an outstanding reference from the staff at Phoenix School, a Special Educational Needs school based in Peterborough.  The School caters for 4-19 year old children with severe learning disabilities and the new outdoor fitness equipment provides a fantastic opportunity for the more amulant individuals to use gym-type equipment in a safe and structured environment. 

Some interesting facts and figures on the use of outdoor gym and fitness equipment ……

A lengthy study by Pro-Active Camden has been carried out in the use of outdoor gyms after a major investment by NHS Camden of c£500k.  The PAC has a proactive approach to increasing participation in sport and physical activity with 8 outdoor gym sites being created across the borough with some very significant findings about their success.

One of the key measures of success of the outdoor gyms is whether the users of the equipment would recommend them to other people. Of the 249 people interviewed, an overwhelming majority of people (94%) said that they would recommend them.

The study suggests that 43% of people have increased their amount of physical activity as a result of the outdoor gym equipment

84% of people had walked, cycled or ran to the outdoor gym facility, encouraging additional exercise.

The age of the users of the outdoor gym equipment was varied and fairly evenly spread.

The findings also show that the outdoor gyms are used by people of all ages, ethnicities and employment status. The Student population were also a high percentage of users (17%). 

Watch this space for a Pennine Outdoor Fitness Equipment Roadshow near you!  We have a Double Nordic Skier available to bring to all our customers, including prisons, young offender institutions, care homes, residential homes, nursing homes, town and parish councils, retirement homes, respite centres etc.  Meanwhile, if you’d like to arrange your own personal showcase of our Outdoor Fitness Equipment, call the sales office now – there’s no cost and no obligation! 

The Headteacher, Mr Jonathan Sharp has commended the newly launche d PiP which was installed into his Key Stage 1 play area in September.

"The PIP system works very well. It gives opportunities to create a range of structures and spaces with different foci dependent on the learning intentions. The system is well made and easy to use and store." commented Mr Sharp

Pennine Playgrounds held a Seminar at the DCE Exhibitions in both Abergele and Leeds recently, outlining the benefits of Outdoor Gym & Fitness Equipment for Adults, in the nation’s struggle against obesity. 2 major topics were covered, including the amount of obese adults in the UK as well as the current ambiguity over the regulations governing Outdoor Gym Equipment:

 “Obesity – The Numbers….

 In 2009, almost a quarter of adults (22% of men and 24% of women aged 16 or over) in England were classified as obese (BMI 30kg/m2 or over).

• A greater proportion of men than women (44% compared with 33%) in England were classified as overweight in 2009 (BMI 25 to less than 30kg/m2).
• Read the numbers…66% of Men and 57% of women are overweight or obese!
• We need to offer a solution

Source - The NHS Information Centre, Lifestyles Statistics.”

 “Outdoor Gym Equipment – The Regulations

• There are a wide range of suppliers with little or no regulation.
• The PAS888 is being produced but is not being supported by the API or the RPII at present.
• Some manufacturers are using parts of EN1176/1177 and EN957 and offering the TUV certificate as the best solution at present
• The RPII have issued a document raising many concerns including the target market of this equipment and its proximity to play equipment.”

Strong Close Nursery School and Children’s Centre in Keighley is to incorporate The PiP into their outdoor learning space.  Strong Close Nursery School and Children’s Centre is one of only 16  National Early Years Teaching Centres and Pennine are very proud to be working for such a forward thinking, outstanding Early Years Centre. 

The Pennine Outdoor Fitness Equipment Brochure has arrived today, hot off the presses, featuring the fantastic range of SAYSU Outdoor Gym & Fitness Equipment - contact us now for your personal copy.

Fantastic savings can be made on the Kompan Supernova (GXY916) and the Kompan Ocean Seesaw (M187) in our Winter Warmers Special Offers.  Save £1255 on the Supernova and £707 on the Ocean Seesaw List Prices for Supply Only.  Further savings are also available on the delivery, installation and safety surfacing - call the Sales Office NOW for your Special Offer Quote!  Limited Stock Available at these rates!

The new Saysu® Outdoor Fitness Equipment brochure is now available within our Product Catalogue section of the website.   This innovative range of adult outdoor fitness equipment has been skilfully and thoughtfully designed and manufactured in Germany, offering simply outstanding quality.  The design focus has been on improving health through a range of different forms of exercise – with 22 individual pieces of adult outdoor gym equipment, many being multi-functional, there’s something for everyone!  From a Double Airwalker through to an Exercise Bike and Stepper, there really  is no excuse for our nation not to get fitter now! 

Pennine’s Rapid Response Repair facility has been launched with great success.  Flexiplay® wet pour patching and repairs to existing playground equipment have been carried out on a number of sites for Harrogate Borough Council and North Tyneside Council.  Our Mission is to rectify small repairs swiftly and economically to prevent them from becoming much larger issues and also of course to ensure that the play areas remains safe and fit for use. 

Erin Walshaw has joined Team Pennine as a Sales Administrator, considerably strengthening the team with over 2 years' experience within the play industry.  Good luck and welcome on board Erin!

The RPII (Register of Play Inspectors International) have issued a definitive brief on the use and siting of Outdoor Fitness Equipment in relation to children’s play areas.  The recommendations clearly set out that a children’s play area and an Adult Outdoor Fitness Equipment area must be completely separate from each other.  It is generally the case that the outdoor fitness kit is a facility for adults and children over 14, and these areas must be sited a minimum of 25 metres from a children’s play or segregated by some other means to provide a clear separation. 

In addition, the guidelines report on the ideal testing of this type of equipment explaining that the BSEN1176 is not appropriate to the equipment as this standard is for play items and play areas intended for use by children under 14.  It suggests that the EN 967 is also not relevant as this is for Stationary Fitness Equipment for use in supervised gyms.  Our range of Saysu Outdoor Fitness Equipment is certified to the TUV which is the German test authority and has had a test protocol in place since 2007.

Pennine are delighted to announce that they are working in partnership with Saysu from Germany, having been appointed as exclusive distributors for England, Wales and Scotland.  This innovative range of outdoor gym and fitness equipment is renowned for its outstanding quality and fabulous design, and boasts extensive testing and conformity to the TUV Standard for Outdoor Equipment.  The full brochure will be available in a downloadable format during September.

For the second year running, Pennine Playgrounds are delighted to be exhibiting at Europe's leading Caravan and Leisure Show in Cottingham, East Yorkshire.  The Caravan Extravaganza - The Lawns - is held on 3rd and 4th September and The Lawns Trade Show will be from the 6th-8th September.  This year's stand show cases the Pennine Trim Trail with the ever popular Early Years Climbing A Frame Net.

Pennine's "Best of Breed" philosophy has been considerably strengthened with a closer relationship with Proludic Ltd.  Pennine and Proludic have worked together for many years.  The extensive range of Proludic kit now available to Pennine will bring exciting and innovative designs to the Pennine Portfolio.

With several schools in the North of England now enjoying the benefits of The PiP - the Pennine Interchangeable Pod - the success story is really unfolding.  The PiP Learning Canvasses can be changed several times a day, providing a brand new education arena to specifically work alongside areas of the curriculum.  The additional shade and shower proof benefits as well as low starter price point are making The PiP a complete winner for all!

Pennine Playgrounds are representing the API, The Association of Play Industries, with our Business Development Manager taking up the position of Executive Officer on the prestigious API Committee.  We have joined the taskforce to review the Local Authority procurement process for playground design and build.

The Launch of THE PIP, "The Pennine Interchangeable Pod" at The TES Education North Exhibtion at the weekend was simply outstanding.  The North's ultimate childcare and education show was the perfect arena, with our exhbition stand being inundated with visitors.  The PIP has been developed over the past year and provides a unique concept in outdoor education using interactive and interchangeable learning PIP Panels. 

The Pennine Angels, aka Denise, Sharron, Lucy, Judith, Katrina and Vicki are supporting and attending the Macmillan Centenary Fashion Show Event to be held at the Craiglands Hotel in Ilkley on Thursday 5th May 2011.  Macmillan Cancer is Pennine Playgrounds' chosen Charity for 2011 who will benefit from any fundraising events.

Pennine Playgrounds are excited to be exhibiting at Manchester Central at what´s largely considered the North of England´s leading education show.  The TES Education Exhibition, incorporates Early Years & Primary Teaching and Special Needs North.  Pennine Playgrounds will be launching a brand new concept in outdoor education as well as our own Activity Trails.

Come and see for yourself!

Pennine Playgrounds have launched their own Activity Trails to enable their customers to benefit from industry-leading guarantees and quality.  The low level activity trails and challenging climbing walls offer fantastic play value whilst being highly competitive.  By using premium timber components manufactured from micronized radiata, an outstanding 15 year warranty on the timber is offered with confidence.

Pennine Playgrounds have retained their CHAS accreditation with extra brownie points from their assessor for the clear, professional way in which their application was submitted and the rapid response to any queries.  In addition, their application to Constructionline is now being processed, another sign of Pennine´s commitment to both employees and customers for high standards of Health & Safety on all sites.

Pennine Playgrounds were delighted to hear they were successful in their application to be on the North Tyneside framework agreement for the next 4 years - scoring highly in all categories and ranking first for supply and installation of MUGA´s.

Following a rigorous appraisal and meeting specific criteria, Pennine Playgrounds were delighted to be awarded the design and build project at Station Road Wallsend, above 60 other leading play companies and contractors.

Project works to commence on site in January 2011 with an anticipated completion date of April 2011.

Team Pennine turned heads at The Craiglands Hotel in Ilkley, when the James Bond entourage arrived to celebrate the Christmas festivities in style - a welcome change from the annual bowling and curry Christmas Do!

The Sales and Design Department has expanded further with the recruitment of 2 new Pennine People.  Paul Kavanagh joins us as Projects Specialist and brings with him over 6 years of hands on professional experience with an incredible understanding of how to make the most of school playgrounds!  

Pennine are delighted to have been awarded the contract to deliver the National Lottery and Playbuilder 1M Pathfinder Adventure Playground, part funded by Aiming High, at Wisbech, for Cambridgeshire County Council and Sutcliffe Play. Months of planning and  site negotiations preceded the start date of 1.4.10 - works are now well under way with a proposed completion date of 31.8.10. 

Congratulations go to Team Pennine who have passed 10 NVQ Level 2 Qualifications and CPCS competency in plant operations. Months of training in mini diggers and dumpers followed by on site assessments as well as literacy tests have resulted in 10 of our site guys passing with flying colours! Our commitment to the company personal development plan for all Pennine Playgrounds employees allows us to upskill our workforce offering new opportunities and promotion for our people.

Designing Demand have worked closely with Pennine Playgrounds to bring about a complete rebrand, in order to reposition the company as a design-led play specialist. Whilst Pennine have always offered a full design and build service, the new branding elevates their profile. Supported by Business Link, Pennine are the first play company to benefit from this exciting initiative. Ellis Pitt, Designing Demand Consultant commented, “One of the things that sets Pennine Playgrounds apart is their complete conviction to embrace our involvement, they are a near-perfect example of enthusiasm, commitment, open-mindedness and action all rolled into one. As a result, Pennine Playgrounds will get so much more out of Designing Demand”.

12 members of the team have successfully completed their CPCS Red Card for Dumper training and testing, and 4 members of the team have also succeeded in the mini digger category. This brings invaluable skills and certification to the installation teams as well as helping our People meet their personal goals.

A Team Building Day at The Races is planned for Friday 9th October when the Company will enjoy a corporate event to celebrate the new brand launch, and everyone’s successes over the past year.

An additional recycling facility for surplus timber packaging has been introduced at Pennine to reduce needless landfill. This underpins our commitment to reduce waste products and supports our Environmental Statement.

Team Pennine are planning to turn play areas pink on the 30th October  to support National Breast Cancer Day. Everyone will be wearing pink in their efforts to raise funds for Breast Cancer.