‘Giraffing’ a great time – Market Harborough community creates own zoo

Helping local families to make the most of their daily hour of exercise, a community group in Market Harborough has created its very own zoo.

Residents living at our East Midlands’ Saxon Meadow development and wider Farndon Fields community were invited to create their own animal displays across the neighbourhood, building a zoo-themed scavenger hunt that could be completed by adults and children alike.

Residents turned out to create ‘enclosures’ galore, from giant giraffes and petite penguins, through to mischievous monkeys and jolly jaguars. The zoo also featured a 4m colourful snake winding down a pavement, as well as ‘wild’ elephants roaming both inside and outdoors.

Farndon Fields Residents Group, which meets via a video call every week, organised the initiative to help bring the community together in spirit, while providing an exciting outdoor challenge that could be completed during residents’ daily hour of exercise.

Having fun carrying out the hunt was the mandatory requirement, however participants were also required to keep a two metre distance from any other residents and not to touch any signs or animals.

Andrew Reeves, a member of the Farndon Fields Residents Group, said: “We have organised numerous activities across the development previously which have always gone down well. Many residents have even organised their own acivities, including chalk games and rock painting, which people really get involved with.

“In these unprecedented times, however, we felt like we needed something really special to lift moods and bring the community together.

“We’ve had fantastic feedback from fellow residents so far and the the zoo scavenger hunt has definitely had a huge impact in bringing a smile to our community. I’ve personally found it a great way to meet my neighbours at a distance and help my children keep active.

“There is such a great, established community spirit on the development which really shines through at times like these. The way the development is built definately facilitates this, with lots of open space, trees and safe areas for children to play.”

Matt Grayson, Group Customer & Marketing Director for Redrow Homes, said: “Building thriving communities is at the heart of what we do, so we’re delighted to see the Saxon Meadows community come together to create such a fun and unique experience that can be enjoyed whilst keeping to social distancing guidelines.

“It’s important now more than ever to stick together and support our neighbours, and the Farndon Fields Residents Group really epitomises this ethos. We hear that they have lots more exciting activities planned over the coming weeks, which we can’t wait to see!”

Continuing to bring the community together, we have donated £250 to the Farndon Fields Residents Group, which will be used to purchase and install a ‘Little Free Library’. The library will act as a central place where residents can take and share books, DVDs and games, inspiring readers and strengthening the community.

Saxon Meadows currently offers a choice of three and four-bedroom properties in the popular town of Market Harborough. Located to the south west of the town, the development is within easy reach of countless independent shops and restaurants. The development also has great travel links and sits on the Midlands mainline, enabling residents to reach London St Pancras in less than an hour, Kettering in 10 minutes and Leicester in 12 minutes.

To find out more about homes at Saxon Meadows, click here.