Two determined women have won their battle to save a mother and toddler group.

Determined - Carlene Stevens and Chris Fookes help Ellie Bould, 2, Amy Norris, 3, and Owen Fookes, 3, to play at the new Long Meadows Mother and Toddler Group

Carlene Stevens and Chris Fookes worked together to reform the Dovercourt organisation after it had been disbanded.

The Ark Centre, which had organised and supplied the toys for the Long Meadows Community Centre's family group, pulled out once their own nursery had been completed.

Mrs Stevens, who with other mums, was upset the centre would no longer have a group. So she joined forces with Mrs Fookes to see if they could continue on their own.

They got funding from Harwich Community Association for new toys so the mothers and toddlers could once again meet at the centre. Yesterday the new Long Meadows Mother and Toddler Group met for the first time.

Mrs Stevens said: "Our first meeting was very successful, attracting 16 mums and 20 toddlers. Continuing the group meant a lot."

Published Thursday, September 16, 2004

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