EXCITING summer activities have helped a village community form closer bonds.

Rudheath and Witton Together has organised a programme of fun-filled events to give parents the chance to enjoy time with their children.

Families have been shown how to use an outdoor gym, compete at crazy golf and bowls, develop arts and crafts skills and learn how to do yoga.

Northwich Guardian:

Sophie Astles, seven, Amelia Todys, six, and William Tate, two, have fun on a bouncy castle

Volunteers and experts are on hand to supervise and share their skills.

Coach trips, costing just £5, have enabled pensioners to spend time with the younger generation.

"We're trying to get the whole community together," said Olywn Dean, chairman of Rudheath and Witton Together. "The lovely thing about the coach trips is that it brought all ages together, older people as well as families."

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Lyla Preston, six, learns how to use the outdoor gym with help from gym instructor Paul Dean

Trips to Blackpool and Llandundno were a sell out and visits to Buxton and Southport later this month are also fully booked.

The activities are free and many also include lunch, thanks to Edsential, an organisation which provides funding to help alleviate food poverty during school holidays.

"Everyone has been having a wonderful time," said Olywn, 59, who has four grown-up children and 11 grandchildren. "Parents have enjoyed it as much as the children because they know the children are safe and occupied.

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Frankie Phoenix, two, Felicity, four, and mum Gemma, using the shoulder press

"We want to support families. If you have more than one child it can be very expensive taking them out during the summer holidays. We don't want to exclude anyone."

Summer fun on Monday, August 19 at Vickersway Park from 10am to 4pm will include a personal trainer showing families how to use the outdoor gym, a bouncy castle, crazy golf and bowls.

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Yoga instructor Sarah Colquitt with Iris Chesworth, five, Jack Elliston, three, Olivia Jones, four, and Jackson Lewis, four

Craft and yoga will be available at St Helens Chjurch on Tuesday, August 20.

Various activities will be taking place at Grozone on August 20 and 21.

Families can learn how to box at The Venue on August 21 when villagers will be invited to start creating a large mosaic of a lion, the group's new emblem, using little glass mosaic tiles.

A music and craft festival where children will be entertained with a musician and invited to meet creepy crawlies will be held on August 25.

An expert will be on hand to show youngsters a selection of creatures.

Northwich Guardian:

Frankie Jenkinson, four, Paige, five, and mum Kirsty have fun playing crazy golf

Football, Jenga and lots of fun activities will be available at Griffiths Park on August 23 from 10am to 2pm.

An activity day for children aged 10 to 16 takes place at Griffiths Park on August 27 when youngsters can take part in a human table football challenge.Children will be strapped into bars like the figures on a small table football game.

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Childminders Peter and Lorine Jackson enjoy a picnic with Max, seven, Darcey, four, Rupert, 18 months and six-month-old Thomas

A new link with Asda through FareShare Go is providing families with free surplus food that the supermarket is unable to sell.

"We have had all sorts of things," said Olywn. "Fresh fruit and vegetables, bread, meat and cereals. It is better than throwing the food away."

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Rudheath and Witton Together was formed in 2013.

"The first two phases were about buying in services," said Olywn. "We are now focussing very much on people in the community doing things for themselves."

Olwyn, who taught creative writing at Mid-Cheshire, now runs a class for budding authors and poets.

Rudheath mum-of-two Rachel Rathbone started free hula hoop sessions and plans to start her own business.

The search is now on to find more villagers willing to share their hobbies and interests with the community.

"We would love to start more activities," said Olywn. "Anything that people would like to run, we will listen to them. If we think it is a viable option we will support them."

Anyone with an idea can call Olwyn on 07886 964369.

For more details about the summer fun activities visit Rudheath and Witton Together on Facebook.