Playgroup ready again

Esk View Playgroup will open its doors again after being hit by fire less than seven months ago.

Esk View Playgroup is set to open its doors again, less than seven months after being hit by fire.

After months of fundraising and insurance assistance it will be up and running again after a re-opening ceremony on August 9.

The group had been using rooms at the Petane Domain which had once been a scout hall but at the end of the holidays last January fire gutted one of the rooms and smoke and water damage damaged the building.

It was the second disaster to befall the playgroup after a burst water pipe had flooded an amenities block.

It had been refurbished and was set to be shown off at an open day, but then the fire struck.

The cause was unknown as there had been no sign of a forced entry and the power was off.

Rachel Ross, who has been involved with the Esk View Playgroup, said about 30 families who used the centre moved to temporary premises at the Eskdale Church where a Sunday School room was available.

"The community really came together," she said.

One posting on the playgroup's Facebook page summed things up.

"A big thanks to everyone who supported our local playgroup, either by attending our dinner at Valley d'vine last night, donating for our mystery envelopes, purchasing mystery envelopes, providing musical entertainment or making donations to help us get back on our feet after the fire."