THE new Dragonflies Children's Centre at Halesworth, the latest to be opened under the Government's Sure Start scheme, is now up and running.Its full time-table of activities will not begin until Monday, April 19, but it is already manned from 9am-5pm each weekday, and families can call in to find out more about the brand new facilities, sited behind the Edgar Sewter Primary School, but with an entrance on Wissett Road.

THE new Dragonflies Children's Centre at Halesworth, the latest to be opened under the Government's Sure Start scheme, is now up and running.

Its full time-table of activities will not begin until Monday, April 19, but it is already manned from 9am-5pm each weekday, and families can call in to find out more about the brand new facilities, sited behind the Edgar Sewter Primary School, but with an entrance on Wissett Road.

Suffolk County Council, through Sure Start has invested a substantial amount of money in the centre, attractively designed on an eco-build basis, which makes it one of the cheapest of its kind to run.

Family support worker Penny Reeve said there would be a full spread of activities.

She said: “We very much want the service to be shaped by the people who use the centre and what they are asking for, so if a need for a new group is identified we will respond to it. We want parents and children to feel that this is their centre, and somewhere where they feel welcome. It is a nice airy and spacious building and there is a calm atmosphere.”

Two support and information officers, Vix Teuten and Jane English are based there, and Mrs Reeve said an additional member of staff was to be recruited.

“I have been making contacts in the local area over the past year through outreach work and projected needs, and I am looking forward to welcoming them into the centre,” she said.

The building of the centre in the Edgar Sewter grounds has provided a project for children there.

They have watched and logged every stage of the work from when the first brick was laid, and on Wednesday the children from the foundation stage took it in to show staff. It will formally be presented to Dragonflies at a later date.

The centre will organise activities across Halesworth and Bungay, as well as at Dragonflies itself.

These include weigh, stay and play, a bright sparks drop-in play session, tot, rock and baby bounce, baby bounce and baby massage.

Other activities encompass songs for children and a doddle-do session encouraging messy play and craft activities.

Leaflets detailing each activity and where they are held are available at the centre or at Halesworth Library, or telephone 01502 718750.