Repairs to Charlies Park Due to Start

Work to repair the play structure at Charlie's Park in Jarrow is set to start next week.  

The much-loved Anglo-Saxon ship at Charlie's Park (also known as Drewetts Park near Jarrow Hall) was partially destroyed by a suspected arson attack in January.

Work is due to begin on Monday 3 August to replace the play unit and carry out some additional repairs to the site. As a result, the area will be closed to the public until the work is completed, which is expected to be mid-August.

Councillor Joan Atkinson, Lead Member for Area Management and Community Safety at South Tyneside Council, said: "It is extremely disappointing that mindless vandals made such significant damage to the play ship at Charlie's Park that it had to be removed from the area.

"Although the repairing of the structure has been delayed due to the Coronavirus pandemic, it was a key priority to get back on site and repair the damage and we are extremely pleased to announce that work is due to start next week."

It was announced in March that the boat and flooring that surround the play ship will be replaced this financial year.

The ship is the centrepiece of the play park which sits between Jarrow Hall and St Paul's Church, off Church Bank which opened in 2010.

Cllr Atkinson added: "I would like to remind residents that any information on deliberate fires can be reported anonymously through FireStoppers on 0800 169 5558."