Our nostalgia picture has brought back lots of good memories for people who grew up in Redditch.

Last week we published a picture from our archive showing children playing at a play area in Matchborough in 1975 - when the estate was newly built.

Many people commented on the story on Facebook, pointing out that the new estates were built with plenty of small playgrounds for children.

Sadly many of those play areas have since been removed, prompting a debate about health and safety and how children are raised today.

Ashman Hensley said: "In Matchborough West there was a park in nearly every close."

Janice Styler replied: "Same in Crabbs Cross , Hunt End, Webheath and Walkwood. All removed, health and safety."

Victoria Plum Hemus added "I've just said that too, always so much to do. We had the best childhoods really with all the streams, parks, rope swings dotted around. We had loads of willow trees around Ashorne close, we used to swing on the branches lol"

Marc Venables remembered that the play area at Treville Close in Winyates had the best wooden climbing frame, while the best slide in Redditch was in Greenlands and the best roundabout was the one near Ten Acres First School.

Anthony Lovell said: "Those kids are catching Sticklebacks in the brook. Been a long time since we saw any fish in there. Great early childhood memories there."

Lee JJ Sands said: "Great memories never to be repeated ever again. The kids of today will never experience what we did growing up."

Jill Maddams said: "Such fond memories of this park."

Andrew Layton added: "Very happy memories - playing pirates!!!"

  • If you have pictures of growing up in Redditch, we'd love to see them. Email news@redditchadvertiser.co.uk