Lifetime in Play in London Award 2006
London Play's Lifetime in Play in London Award celebrates the achievements of playworkers in the capital.
The first ever award was presented to Janet Dalglish MBE (pictured with David Lammy MP) at the parliamentary reception in April 2006.
The award ceremony was hosted in the Terrace Marquee at the House of Commons by Tom Brake MP, one of London Play's Parliamentary Friends, and generously sponsored by Sutcliffe Play. The award ceremony was addressed by David Lammy MP, the minister whose portfolio includes play.
Janet, who turned 87 this year, is president of Fair Play for Children and still attends play policy meetings. She was very pleased to have been chosen for the award, and before the ceremony said that she looked forward to talking to the MPs about the current state of play.
Janet was selected as the first ever recipient of the Lifetime in Play in London Award, from a number of distinguished nominees, by an independent panel consisting of Caroline Boswell (Children and Young People's Unit, Mayor's Office), Anna Lubelska (then Association of London Government), Peter Carne (Learning through Landscapes), Tony Leach (London Parks and Open Spaces Forum) and Howard Simmons (Assistant Chief Executive, Corporate Policy and Regeneration, L B Hounslow).
Janet has been promoting play for over 60 years. Always resourceful, Janet would take a suitcase "full of rubbish", such as cardboard and scraps of material, to the local primary school bombsite for children to play with - sites which evolved into adventure playgrounds. Throughout her eventful career, Janet has led the way in campaigning for play opportunities and developing playwork training. Her plethora of achievements includes helping to set up the first playwork training centre, Westminster Play Association and the International Play Association.
Her nomination described her as 'a play phenomenon': "Play has had no better advocate. Those of us who fight for a better deal for play and for children owe her so much. Janet talks play, she listens play, she breathes play. This [award] is a fitting recognition."
Comments from people who attended the ceremony included:
- a real historical gathering (Bob Hughes, PlayEd)
- uplifting, invigorating?it made me happy to be involved with playwork (Chris Taylor, Play Consultant)
- the event was really worthwhile and thought provoking (Mark Lee, Barnardo's)
- a wonderful event (Celia Coram, London Youth Arts Network)
- it was a fantastic event, very well attended and organised (Viv Jebson, Sutcliffe Play, event sponsor)
- I enjoyed myself no end, and it was interesting meeting so many old friends (Janet Dalglish)
