Dave Skinner: Community Worker

Alan Billings, vicar of St Silas in the 1970s, talks to Jessica Pallot about Dave Skinner, a local community worker at that time. Dave lived with his wife in the Broomhall Flats, and was great at getting to know young people and adults alike. He was instrumental in setting-up the adventure playground on Gell Street, which became hugely popular among young people. (Listen to Alan talking in the audio-player beneath the pictures.)

Newspaper article about the appointment of David Skinner as St Silas Church full time social worker. 1974

Photo: Alan Billings

Broomhall adventure playground, bottom of Gell St. August 1977

Photo: Tony Allwright

Young adventurers, Broomhall adventure playground. May 1979

Photo: Tony Allwright

Young adventurers, Broomhall adventure playground. May 1979

Photo: Tony Allwright

Boy on swing, Broomhall adventure playground. June 1978

Photo: Tony Allwright

Bonfire night! Broomhall adventure playground, 5th November 1976

Photo: Tony Allwright

Broomhall adventure playground in the snow, January 1979

Photo: Tony Allwright

Teepee in the Broomhall Playground. 1970s

Photo: Our Broomhall

Playground on Gell Street. 1980s

Photo: Our Broomhall