# Village’s new two-storey soft play area angers parishioners… because it’s in their church

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/villages-new-two-storey-soft-play-area-angers-parishioners-because-its-in-their-church/
- Published: 2026-11-01T22:56:33+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-01T23:11:23+00:00
- Original publisher: Daily Mail (publisher lean: Right)
- Original article: https://www.dailymail.com/news/article-16257151/Villages-new-two-storey-soft-play-area-angers-parishioners-church.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490
- Topics: Business, Markets, World

## Key points

- Dorset church installs a £20,000 soft play area.
- The free facility is intended for local families and schoolchildren.
- Some parishioners raised concerns about its suitability and consultation.

## Summary

St Mary’s Church in Burton Bradstock, Dorset, has installed a £20,000, two-storey soft play area beside its pews, prompting concerns among some parishioners about whether children’s play fits the solemnity of worship. The vicar says the project makes the church more useful to local families and addresses the lack of an indoor play space.

The free, unsupervised equipment includes a slide, steps and foam blocks, with parents responsible for their children. Reverend Andrew Rawding developed the idea after seeing parents and toddlers shelter in the church porch near the primary school; the school’s interim head says pupils can also use the space. Some residents questioned whether there was enough consultation and raised concerns about the stained glass.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.