Caloo Outdoor Playground and Fitness Equipment

We’re always being told that we should exercise regularly and sensibly, but do you ever spare a thought for the safety of the exercise equipment you’re using? Outdoor gym equipment specialists Caloo have now proven that they do indeed by gaining one of Europe’s highest quality certifications to sit alongside their pre-qualified status on Constructionline and their health and safety accreditation with CHAS. By achieving this product certification this company leads the outdoor exercise equipment industry in the UK by putting quality and safety first. Caloo are very proud to have been recently awarded independent product certification to TUV standard 55012:2010 for their outdoor gym equipment placed in public spaces. Managing Director Andrew Kime said ‘The TUV test standard PPP55012:2010 for outdoor gym equipment is currently Europe’s highest product test certification, and after the gruelling testing and assessment that we were asked to undertake it’s satisfying to know that we passed with flying colours.’ Caloo is currently the only UK-based company in its industry with this certification, which covers numerous aspects of the manufacturing process including the product design, materials used and quality control processes in place to ensure that the exemplary standards recognised in the certification would be maintained. Constructionline is the UK’s largest online database of pre-qualified contractors and consultants, a preferred supplier list if you were, that’s recommended by the OGC Common Minimum Standards and the Local Government Task Force. In June 2011 Caloo joined their numbers as the newest addition to their database. To be accepted onto the pre-qualified database Caloo has proven that it meets their high standards not only for product quality but also with the planning and installation of their outdoor gym equipment. ‘Health and safety in all that we produce and all that we do is of paramount importance to us as an organisation, which is why it was so important for us to become a CHAS accredited contractor,’ said Kime. ‘We supply and install our exercise equipment in outdoor gyms up and down the country for schools, local authorities, private companies and many other organisations, and we know just how important it is to not only offer the best, but to be able to prove that they are the best, and that’s the reason why we have sought out our certifications, memberships and associations.’

Notes for Editors

Caloo have been supplying and installing exercise and playground equipment in schools, nurseries, public parks and company grounds for almost five years. Not only is our equipment manufactured to meet all European standards but it is developed to be robust, attractive and vandal resistant, designed to enhance any open space and withstand the natural and less-than-natural ravages it will inevitably have to face in open air locations. Caloo can design an outdoor gym or playground around your specific needs, advise you on how to acquire the necessary funding for the project, recommend the best equipment for your requirements, then project manage the entire landscaping and installation process to ensure that every health and safety and quality standard is achieved. What’s more, our exercise equipment is covered by a comprehensive structural product guarantee for up to five years, and comes with all the instructions you’ll need in order to maintain it to ensure a maximum safe life expectancy.

Contact Details

Company Name:	Caloo Limited
Contact:	Andrew Kime
Address:	Unit 12 Boxted Farm, Berkhamsted Road, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP1 2SG
Phone:	+44 (0)845 055 8218
Fax:	+44 (0)845 055 8219
Email:	info@caloo.co.uk
Website:	www.caloo.co.uk

Although works were completed in July 2010, a letter was recently received from the Clerk of Aylesford Parish Council in Kent. Mr Flindell wrote in January 2011, “It is now around 6 months after the installation of the Caloo outdoor fitness equipment at 3 sites around the Parish. This is now adequate time to reflect on and to review the outcome of this project. I am now able to say that this has been an overall success. These were the first sets of outdoor fitness equipment to be installed in the area and were immediately popular. We chose the Cardio bundle which has attracted all ages. This was one of the aims of the project: to provide healthy and fun recreational and exercise opportunities for all ages. Younger people have been and are well provided for in our recreation grounds. The Caloo equipment helps us to carer for the requirements of older people. Another aim of the project was to increase the use of our recreation grounds, to get more footfall and so to improve the service that we provide to the local community. This was another aim successfully met.  The gym equipment means that we get a steady stream of visitors to our recreation grounds all through the day. Previously there had been more marked peaks in usage after school and during school holidays and more troughs during the day in term time. With continuously rising populations, more development in the area and so more pressure on the Council’s recreation grounds we have to make the most of every space and to get as much use as possible out of each square inch. This was another plus point for the equipment as the cardio bundle is able to accommodate multiple users in a comparatively small area. All of these comments could very well apply to a lot of other outdoor fitness equipment. We chose the Caloo equipment rather than from any other firm as it appeared to be robust, good value, fit for purpose and we had confidence in the level of service to be provided. Some six months down the line each aspect of this decision has been justified by experience.” We are delighted to receive such positive client feedback and look forward to constructing many new facilities for community use in the coming years. We offer a FREE site consultation to survey site conditions and offer best advice with product selection and configuration. Call our sales office on 0845 055 8218 for further information or complete the Contact us page for a speedy reply.

A VILLAGE primary school is leading the way in pupil fitness thanks to a new playground gym. Children at Barkston and Syston Primary School have been queuing up to use their new outdoor gym since it was installed by Hemel Hempstead company Caloo over the Christmas holidays. Headteacher Sally-Anne Caunter said: “It has been very popular already – there is a queue every break time to get on it. “It is mainly for the older children as we have climbing equipment for the younger children. “One of the teachers is working on a series of challenges for the children to keep them interested in exercising.” The set-up of the equipment means the resistance each person comes up against is dependant on their own weight – so a child would face just as much of a challenge as an adult on the same machine. The outdoor gym has been paid for by Friends of Barkston and Syston School. Jane Harris, of the group, said: “It is really the parents who have provided the funding for the project through different events like the Summer fete and over Christmas. It is something which is really popular in Europe but is just catching on here. I think we are one of the first schools in the area go get an outdoor gym, “The equipment can be used by anyone aged between seven and 107. The younger children are desperate to have a go but it gives them something look forward to.” Article reproduced from Grantham Journal published January 11th 2011.  http://www.granthamjournal.co.uk/news/education_2_1725/playground_gym_for_village_pupils_1_2288118

About landfill tax Tax on landfill waste was introduced in 1996 as a means to reduce the amount of land-filled waste and to promote a shift to more environmentally sustainable methods of waste management. The Landfill Communities Fund (LCF) This innovative tax credit scheme enables operators of landfill sites to contribute money to enrolled Environmental Bodies (EBs) to carry out projects that meet environmental objects contained in the Landfill Tax Regulations. The Government saw the LCF as a way for Landfill Operators (LOs) and EBs to work in partnership to create significant environmental benefits and jobs and to undertake projects which improve the lives of communities living near landfill sites. For further information about this method of funding, please follow the link to http://www.entrust.org.uk/home  To search for active LCF funders in your area, follow this link http://www.entrust.org.uk/home/lcf/funders-directory

Following our attendance at Saltex 2010, we would like to extend a big thank you to all the visitors to our stand. Over the three days of the show, (one of which was spent mostly under water), we met many new people and generated a more than satisfactory level of new project enquiries. We have booked to return in 2011 – Looking forward to it already!!!

NEW Outdoor Fitness Equipment has been fitted by Caloo in Cam, Gloucestershire to help encourage the local community to develop and maintain active lifestyles. The recent installation contained 8 exercise units positioned informally within an existing park environment. Parish Clerk Sue Hanman said, “Cam Parish Council has been extremely pleased with its collaboration with Caloo in the installation of its ‘Outdoor Gym’. From first enquiry to installation and beyond, the Company has been extremely helpful and supportive. The installation team arrived on time and completed their work very quickly and efficiently. Now in place, the equipment looks attractive and sturdy and has already been the subject of some excellent feedback from the community – from children participating in the play programme at the field where the equipment is, to ‘mature’ dog walkers who have enjoyed it whilst walking in the area. Even I, by no means a fitness freak, have had a go and thoroughly enjoyed the experience!” Caloo Outdoor Fitness Equipment is designed to create open use, FREE access, outdoor fitness facilities to benefit the whole community. With resistance offered from user weight, these carbon neutral, human powered units are environmentally friendly and great fun. With many different activities within the range, communities can choose items that encourage fitness activities or those to aid rehabilitation or recovery after illness or injury. For more information contact our sales office on 0845 055 8218 or visit our special offers page for bundle offers.

£10,000 Lottery Award Provides New Equipment PUPILS returning to a Carnoustie primary school after the October holidays will be in for a treat thanks to a £10,000 National Lottery Award. Burnside Primary School, which secured the extra funding through their pupil council, has used the money to buy specialised playground equipment, which aims to improve children’s fitness in a fun way. The colourful equipment, made by English-based company Caloo is carbon neutral and is powered by the pupils’ own body weight. This means the children are exercising whilst they are playing and Burnside will be the first primary school in Scotland to install this type of equipment. The pupil council, along with assistant head Jackie Goodwin, secured the funding for the project from the National Lottery so pupils at the school can develop and maintain active lifestyles. Nine pieces of equipment in total will be installed and Pauline Lockhart from the school’s parent council commented on how pleased they were about the school taking delivery of this new play equipment. Mrs Lockhart said: “I think I can safely say we are really proud of the pupil council and Mrs Goodwin’s efforts in securing the Lottery Award which enabled us to purchase this equipment. “We look forward to seeing it in use and are delighted to be the first school in Scotland to have it.” The equipment is being installed during the holidays and should be ready to use when the children return to school. By Jennifer Newton – 09 October 2009

After a busy Summer of installations, we are pleased to report strong growth in product sales and the number of delighted domestic and export customers. Our business ethos of offering the highest raw material specifications at value for money prices combined with market leading levels of customer service and support have contributed to our continued success. Our clients continue to be happy to act as Company references and say nice things. With a wide range of customers from different market sectors and installations in England, Scotland, Wales and Sri Lanka completed this year, we are sure to have a show site near you. For further information or the location of your closest show site, please call our sales office.

Spring Common School in Cambridgeshire and Shaftsbury Junior School in Leicestershire are two UK schools who have recently installed Caloo fitness equipment into their playgrounds. Spring Common School Spring Common School is a Cambridgeshire Local Education Authority Co-educational School offering education to children aged 3-19 years who have special educational needs. Following installation of eight items from the Caloo Workout range Assistant Headteacher Debra Smith wrote, “I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for the advice and patience you had while decisions were made at school. The equipment was sited as requested during the summer holidays and I appreciated that all timescales were kept to. Today, I went outside to see all of the equipment being used I have been especially pleased with the use throughout the day by our autistic pupils.” Shaftsbury Junior School Shaftesbury is a vibrant multicultural Junior school in the heart of Leicester’s West End. Following the installation of eight items from the Caloo Workout range, Karl Stewart, Headteacher wrote “As part of our Be Safe strand of Every Child Matters, we have been looking at ways to increase physical activity at school. Once I had seen the Caloo range, I was very impressed. So were the School Council. We made the decision to go for the Caloo Workout and this was installed over the summer holidays. The workmen were very professional and amenable to our Premises Officer who supervised the work. When the pupils returned to school, the new gym equipment was an instant hit, with both the pupils and the staff. The kids love it and it is in regular use during playtimes and lunchtimes. It has already been used in some lessons and the staff have got together to have a ‘workout’ one evening a week. I cannot speak highly enough of both the quality of the equipment and the professional service we received.”

NEW Outdoor Fitness Equipment has been fitted by Caloo in two parks within Cranfield Parish in Bedfordshire to help encourage villagers to lead a healthy lifestyle.   Selected items from the Caloo Workout range have been ‘outstalled’ into two Parish parks to create a fitness facility which provides a full body workout opportunity for the residents of Cranfield. Equipment selected includes the cross rider, air walker and rower which have immediately proven to be a popular provision with local residents and Councillors alike. Parish Councillor Jo Stannage said ‘The Council felt that it was the adults’ turn to have some new equipment in the parks which is fun to use but also good for their health. The equipment has been placed near to the children’s play areas so that families can use the park facilities together’. Caloo Outdoor Fitness Equipment is designed for users aged 7+ and can be used to create unsupervised, FREE access, outdoor fitness facilities to benefit the whole community. With resistance offered from user weight, these carbon neutral, human powered units are environmentally friendly and great fun. With many different activities, communities can choose items that provide a fitness challenge or units that aid rehabilitation or recovery after illness or injury.

Even at 99 years young, one resident of Newcastle-under Lyme in Staffordshire was keen to try out the new Caloo fitness installation in Lyme Valley and Bathpool Parks. Following a formal tender, Caloo were selected to supply and install Outdoor Fitness Equipment into two parks under the NHS funded choosing health project. Local research had identified that North Staffordshire has a higher than average incidence of Cardio vascular disease, diabetes, respiratory disease and obesity levels.  Physical activity has been shown to reduce the impact of Coronary Heart Disease risk factors, contribute (in conjunction with a healthy diet) to significant weight loss and prevent and ameliorate the management of long term health conditions and the sequence of adverse health events such as Myocardial infarction (heart attack). Walking has been described as the “the best buy in public health” the “perfect” form of moderate exercise.  (Morris 1993)  It is sustainable, cheap and available to 95% of the adult population.  The evidence base for physical activity’s capacity to improve health and prevent or ameliorate illness (physical and mental) is not in doubt. 14 items of equipment were installed in June 2009 and quickly became popular with local residents who incorporated the equipment into regular routines including a 99 year young gentleman who commented that “we didn’t have this type of thing when I was young. I think it is a great idea”. For further information, please contact our sales office.