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Parish council bans bouncy castles and inflatables inside its halls after Gorleston trampoline tragedy
Ava-may Littleboy, three, who was killed when an inflatable trampoline exploded in Gorleston. PHOTO: Abbie Littleboy/Just Giving - Credit: Archant
A parish council has banned bouncy castles and inflatables from inside its community halls after a young girl died in Gorleston.
People gather on Gorleston beach to mark the one week anniversary of the tragic event leading to the death of Ava-May Littleboy. Byline: Sonya Duncan Copyright: Archant 2018 - Credit: Sonya Duncan
Ormesby with Scratby Parish Council took the decision following the death of Ava-May Littleboy who died in hospital after being thrown from an inflatable trampoline.Parish councillor Geoff Freeman said the ban was temporary until guidance was received.
In the meantime bouncy castles booked for outdoor events at All Saints Parish Hall in Scratby, including for Norfolk Day celebrations, would be allowed.
Mr Freeman said: “At the moment we are putting in a temporary ban until we get some guidance from the local authority and the insurance company.
“We do have outdoor events and we have already booked bouncy castles. The firm that we use is an established capable firm and it is their main business and the operator stays with it the whole time.
People gather on Gorleston beach to mark the one week anniversary of the tragic event leading to the death of Eva-May Littleboy. The gathering was arranged by Emma Wright.Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 - Credit: Sonya Duncan
“The insurance is a miniscule issue. We do not want there to be an accident.”
The council’s three halls are all run as charities by a board of trustees.
The issue was discussed at a full council meeting this week.
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Speaking at the meeting vice chair Kathryn Wendt said: “At the end of the day it is about people’s lives. You can insure things and things can still go wrong.
“The most important thing is that people are competent and stay with it and know what they are doing. We are lay people. We do not know about bouncy castles.”
Three-year-old Ava-May died while playing on an inflatable trampoline on Sunday July 1.
Despite desperate attempts to save her she died from a head injury at Gorleston’s James Paget Hospital.
A Just Giving page set up in her name to fund a memorial bench has now raised almost £12,000 after almost 800 people made a donation.A vigil event held on Sunday saw hundreds gather on the beach, many wearing Ava-May’s favourite pink, to reflect on the tragedy.
The family, from Somersham in Suffolk, paid tribute to her following her death.
They said: “She was not your ordinary little girl.
“Anyone that met her would not want to forget her. Her infectious laugh and smile could light up even the darkest of rooms.”
