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23 June 2025

Rt Hon Yvette Cooper cuts the ribbon on the new-look Old Quarry Adventure Playground

Children and young people are enjoying their new-look and vibrant Addy (Old Quarry Adventure Playground) in Knottingley. The Addy has just undergone a major refurbishment funded by the UK Government’s Youth Investment Fund. The Addy has a long history of supporting children, young people, and the whole community. It was originally set up in 1972, at the time when miners moved to the area and their children would venture down to the quarry to play. The playground was set up to provide local children and young people with a safe space to explore and play. The playground is based at the heart of the Warwick estate in Knottingley, an area of high levels of deprivation.

Last Friday (13 June 2025) Home Secretary Yvette Cooper MP, cut the ribbon, to mark the Addy’s renovation. Twenty-five years ago, Yvette Cooper also cut the ribbon, when the building first opened its doors. Children, young people and families, Addy trustees and the staff team, supportive local businesses, and partner organisations all joined together for a special opening event.

It was a wonderful celebration event, packed with fun activities for everyone to enjoy. The Addy is an inspiring and colourful space and a Youth Investment Fund grant of £150K has given it a vibrant new look and a much-needed refresh. The building and playground area are packed with bright and colourful wall art and graffiti.

The Addy is an incredible place that has been supporting children and families in Knottingley for generations. It’s a brilliant place for children to really play and learn in exciting ways. I’ve been supporting them and working with them for more than 25 years and they just keep going from strength to strength, so it was great to re-open the refurbished building and to celebrate the funding secured for the next few years. This means they can keep supporting local children for many more years.

Yvette Cooper MP
Home Secretary and MP for Pontefract, Castleford and Knottingley

The Addy has so much to celebrate, along with its Refurbishment Grant, the team has been celebrating three years of successful funding from The National Lottery, Henry Smith, and Tudor Trust.

We are so proud of what we’ve built together over the years – a safe, welcoming space that’s become a lifeline and play space for our children and families. The new look Addy is incredible and everyone loves it. The Addy is more than just a building. It’s a place of hope, resilience, and community – and we are truly blessed to be part of something so extraordinary and unique here in the Wakefield District.

Holly Corbett
Centre Manager for the Addy

The Youth Investment Fund grant has enhanced the Addy’s 25-year-old building, making it more energy efficient and environmentally sustainable. It has enabled them to use the space better to accommodate more activities. And young people have been at the heart of the building’s design, look and feel, creating a space that young people can call their own.

You can find out more about the Addy here.

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