Chesterton Playgroup has been a cherished part of village life for over 52 years, supporting generations of families and providing a warm, nurturing environment for young children. Today, our playgroup is thriving — with five dedicated staff members, four committed trustees, and one of the busiest intakes we’ve seen in years. We are a charity-run setting that continues to grow thanks to the unwavering support of the Chesterton community.

Earlier this year, we began working closely with the Chesterton Community Partnership (CIO), who own the Village Hall, to secure a new lease. We believed discussions were progressing positively. A draft lease was shared with the CIO to confirm whether the terms were open for negotiation, and we awaited their response. Despite contacting them regularly for updates, communication unexpectedly stopped.

Our goal was simple: to sign a new lease so we could continue to thrive and also so we could invest our hard‑earned fundraising money into renovating the children’s garden — a project our families and staff were incredibly excited about.

After months of silence, we were devastated to receive an eviction notice delivered to our doorstep on a busy Friday afternoon. The shock, sadness, and fear for our future have been overwhelming. At a time when so many playgroups and preschools across the UK are closing due to funding pressures, Chesterton Playgroup is not struggling — we are thriving. We are thriving because of this village, because of the families who have trusted us for generations, and because small, community-rooted settings like ours are increasingly rare.

We have been informed that the CIO wishes to use the building for their own “charitable objectives,” but no further explanation has been provided. We wholeheartedly support charitable work — but we firmly believe these objectives can be carried out in alternative spaces the CIO already manages, such as the other community building in the village or the local church, which is soon to be equipped with a kitchen and toilet for community use.

We are pleading for the opportunity to continue serving the children and families of Chesterton — not only those currently with us, but the many future families who will rely on a local, loving early years setting.

Please help us show how vital Chesterton Playgroup is to this village. Please spread the word. Please sign our petition. Your support could be the reason we remain open for generations to come.

Thank you.