NEVER let it be said that Swindon Mayor Stan Pajak refuses to get into the swing of things.
His latest daring exploit was to break the ribbon at the official opening of the biggest rope swing in Wiltshire at the Richard Jefferies Adventure Playground in Eldene.
The swing is the latest attraction added to the park in a rebuild following its destruction by arsonists in June of last year.
The mayor took his place on the platform and launched himself into space to the cheers of dozens of watching children.
He said: "It's excellent, and this is a quality adventure park. It's great fun!"
Last October, as deputy mayor, Coun Pajak opened the aerial pulley ride by sampling it for himself.
Like other equipment at the adventure playground, the old pulley had been destroyed in the fire.
The playground has been serving the local community for more than 25 years, and is used by an average of more than 110 children per day during the summer holidays.
The new rope swing was built by a team of young people serving community service orders.
Their efforts earned the praise of playground manager Martin Hawes, who helped to oversee the work and has some 30 years' experience in building adventure playgrounds.
He said: "This is the largest swing in Wiltshire and took about a month to build.
"Most of the labour has come from a team of young people serving community orders with the probation service and they have been absolutely wonderful.
"I must admit that I've been waiting to build a really big swing for years and years!"
Play Leader Natalie Bailey said: "For a lot of the children, the playground is the only place they can come to during the summer holidays that is safe and supervised.
"Their parents know where they are and there are lots of activities."
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