The Pinehurst Fun Day has been running for 20 years but was unfortunately cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic. On Saturday 16 July, over 2,500 local residents gathered to celebrate the return of the fun day!
Run in the heart of the estate on the Circle, the Fun Day began in response to local young people expressing concern that ‘nothing good ever happens in Pinehurst’. The Fun Day now celebrates the 10,000 incredible people that live on the estate, as well as the various organisations operating locally. Organisations that attended include the local credit union, recovery charities, local charities, Swindon Academy, the local police and various youth clubs.
Much of the organising and running of the day is led by young people under the age of 18, who plan the theme, liaise with local organisations and volunteer on the day. This year’s Fun Day was sea-side themed, featuring fairground rides, lots of ice cream and even some guest donkeys!
Local church, Shine Pinehurst, supports the running of the annual Fun Day. Launched in 2020, Shine is a fresh expression that brings together local residents to work together to help local people and explores what church might look like in an outer estate context run by local people.
Revd Simon Halls, Pioneer Minister for Pinehurst who has lived on the estate for over 30 years, said, “The fun day has always proven to be a highlight of the year for all of us, especially local people. People always ask when the next fun day is going to be and it turns out to be a fantastic celebration of all the great things in our community.”
