Wood carver creates a buzz about new Sure Start Centre in Didsbury Park

An intricate wood carving of a bee is helping create a buzz about a brand new Sure Start Centre in Didsbury that has just opened in the middle of Didsbury Park.

The new £780,000 centre provides a range of services for families with pre-school age babies and children.

It replaces the old Beehive Play Centre that had been on the same spot as the new Sure Start Centre in the park for thirty five years.

Services currently available at the new centre include a baby clinic, a pre-school special needs group, a parent survival course, baby massage classes, stay and play sessions, and a child minder drop in.  A playgroup five mornings a week will be starting soon and other additional services will be developed in consultation with local families.

Councillor Sheila Newman, Executive Member Children's Services, Manchester City Council, said: "Although the old Beehive Centre played an important part in the local community for decades, the facilities and services on offer at the brand new Sure Start Centre are already proving enormously popular with local families and are set to benefit them for years to come."

Just before the new centre opened to families a local wood artist, Andy Burgess, who lives in Didsbury, was commissioned to produce a woodcarving of a bee from the trunk of a tree that was removed during the building works at the centre as a lasting memorial to the old Beehive Centre that stood on the site. The intricate wood carving that he produced is on display for parents and children to enjoy in the grounds of the new centre.

Members of the public who want to find out more information about services available at the Sure Start Centre an ring 0161 434 9289.