Pennycross has become the only primary school in the south west – and possibly the country – to have its own nine-hole frisbee golf course.
The sport is rapidly growing in popularity across the country, with Plymouth now having three courses – Mount Edgcumbe, Central Park (both run by Flyers Disc Golf) and now Free To Fly Disc Golf Course in the grounds of Pennycross Primary.
Pennycross teacher Lee Hogden, who organised the frisbee initiative said:
“After the completion of our new building in December 2017, the school needed the grounds to have the matching wow factor. Alongside our beautiful sensory garden and fabulous forest school area we now really stand out from the crowd!”
The school held the course’s grand opening recently with a jam packed day of frisbee activities for the pupils followed by a session for the parents. The whole day was enthusiastically attended and the new sport is the talk of the playground.
With frisbee golf, pupils get the chance to try something new with no set standards of ability. It is accessible for all, encouraging a healthy lifestyle while building confidence.
Meanwhile, families at Pennycross Primary School are getting the opportunity to go on bike rides together, thanks to the newly launched Penny Bike scheme, funded by a Plymouth City Council School Sustainable Travel grant.
Under the scheme, parents can book out high quality child and adult bikes, as well as accessories like helmets, trailers, child seats and car racks, for a week’s free loan. Families can then get out and about in the local area, or take the bikes further afield to explore the outstanding cycling opportunities the area has to offer, such as Saltram and the Plym Valley Trail.
Ryan Evans, Sustrans Bike It Plus officer who works with Pennycross Primary to promote active travel, said:
“Many parents I speak to say how much they would like to go out cycling as a family, but that they don’t have the bikes or equipment they need.
“This scheme allows them to have free use of lightweight and reliable bikes and accessories, and enjoy a healthy and active time together that doesn’t cost a penny.”
Lee Hogden said:
“The Penny Bike launch was a great success and has really boosted our community spirit. The school’s ethos for active travel is now fully embedded. We have already seen the numbers of children riding to school increase and Penny Bike will improve this further. Many thanks to Ryan Evans from Sustrans and Plymouth City Council for their continued support.”
The launch generated a huge amount of interest in the scheme, with kids keen to test the new bikes and many parents signing up to loan bikes, trailers and child seats for the week.
Councillor Jeremy Goslin, Plymouth City Council’s newly appointed Cycling Commissioner, said:
“Plymouth City Council is fully committed to supporting people in getting fitter, healthier and more active, and I’m delighted to see a scheme such as this that makes family cycling accessible to all.”
