Pendulum Swings

Pendulum: a suspended weight swinging to and fro

Traditional wooden garden swings

Solid wooden frame (minimum 10yr maintenance free life)
Quality fittings

Superior strength

Concreted into the ground

Hand-built and fully fitted

Uneven & sloping gardens

Satisfaction guaranteed

Expertly installed at your home, from only €365

Children’s time-honoured activities such as swinging, climbing and sliding develop coordination and balance, whilst helping agility and self confidence from an early age.

They also happen to be great fun which is why children, young and old, love to indulge in these pursuits!

Worried about how much time your children or grandchildren spend in front of the television or a computer? Concerned your child isn't active enough ? But also uneasy about them being 'out on their own' .... a traditional wooden garden swing could be the answer.

They provide hours of fresh air entertainment in the security and safety of your own garden where children can be monitored, yet they also give the freedom and expressiveness required to develop a child’s creative and social skills in the outdoor environment (see what the experts say in our 'Quotes' section) .

Options & Examples

Left: economy plastic swing seat with fully adjustable ropes


Right: thick knotted rope

Below are just three examples of our swings. If you have any special requirements we will be happy to discuss them and quote accordingly

1. Traditional wooden “A” frame double swing, standard version, for only €395. Fully installed with standard plastic swing seat and monkey tyre seat (both pictured below), solidly built and cemented into the ground.
   
2. Traditional wooden “A” frame single swing, economy version, for only €365. Fully installed with one economy plastic swing seat (pictured above), solidly built and cemented into the ground.
   
3. Traditional wooden “A” frame double swing, economy version, for only €375. Fully installed with two economy plastic swing seats (pictured above), solidly built and cemented into the ground.

Left: monkey tyre seat with chains (also available with ropes)

Right: standard plastic swing seat with fully adjustable ropes

Other fittings to complement your swing

Subject to availability, delivery and extra cost:

• Economy plastic swing seat with fully adjustable ropes (pictured above)
• Standard plastic swing seat with fully adjustable ropes (pictured below)
• Plastic baby bucket seat with fully adjustable ropes
• Plastic trapeze with fully adjustable ropes (pictured below)
• Thick knotted rope (pictured above)
• Monkey tyre seat with ropes or chains (pictured above)
• Ships buoy (ball seat) with rope or chains (pictured below)
• End fitting netball goal
• End fitting basketball backboard, hoop & net
• Safety matting can offer additional security & stop wear to the lawn
• Wood chip (tree bark) can offer additional safety & stop wear to the lawn

Right: ships buoy (ball seat) with chain (also available with ropes)


Left: trapeze with fully adjustable ropes

Solid Design

Our frames are constructed from heavy duty 100mm (4 inch) round poles cut from sustainable managed forests and are pressure impregnated with a tanalith treatment. This offers over ten years of maintenance-free use, protecting against rot and insect infestation. The soft green colour of tanalith treated poles adds a rustic charm to the swing but can easily be painted or stained* if a certain colour or look is required.
Because we all know how boisterous children can be we don't use cheap ground stakes which can be effortlessly pulled up in damp ground or by an over-enthusiastic child. The frames are concreted directly into the ground for total strength, stability and peace of mind and poles are joined together by galvanised steel bolts. The construction technique minimises the risk from sharp edges.

The double swing design means fewer “my turn” arguments, however not all garden spaces are suitable for a larger frame, so a single swing may be more appropriate to your needs.

Fitting

The cost of our swings is based upon a fully fitted and installed product. Fitting by us requires only a few hours and the swing is ready for use within 24 hours.

All that is required is a grass surface and a safety perimeter. The designs are flexible enough to make them suitable for most garden spaces - because we hand build the swing unevenness and sloping can be accommodated for in most gardens.

However very wet or boggy ground is unsuitable.

It is necessary to dig holes in order to insert and concrete the poles, but any grass removed during this process will be replaced as neatly as possible.

We understand how situations change over time, so for a fee, we can arrange to completely remove, or move the swing to a different location within the garden.

References & Quotes

Here are just some of the articles we found which highlight current thinking on children's physical and mental health in contempory society. we don't promise that installing a swing in your garden is the total solution but it does offer your child a safe out-door activity.

The Importance of Unsupervised Play
Jenny Cunningham: Glasgow based paediatrician

It is through unregulated peer interactions, including coping with conflicts, that children develop many of their social skills and begin to acquire self-knowledge, as well as sensitivity to others. The intrusion of adults can only undermine children's self-discovery and their ability to deal with difficulties. Of course adults have a pivotal role in children's development. Quite apart from the central function of providing formal education, adults create the environment in which children grow up. They set standards and become role models, as well as providing children with encouragement and support.

But it is no less important that they stand back regularly and give children the space and time to get on with their own activities and engage in the peer group interactions that so greatly enhance their social, emotional and cognitive development.

http://www.generationyouthissues.org.uk/campaigns/free_play/The%20Importance%20of%20Unsupervised%20Play.htm

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Unsupervised Play is Good for Children
A study at the University College in London has shown that unsupervised play outside causes children to become healthier and more sociable. These days we are very cautious about letting our children out alone and many children under the age of eleven are not allowed out unaccompanied. Researchers claim that this can lead to obesity and a lack of independence. Children who go out on their bicycles or down to the park obviously get more exercise and fresh air as well as meeting with more people and having to deal with simple situations that may occur, such as talking to people, buying things in shops and crossing the road. Unfortunately there are often limited facilities available where parents feel safe letting their children go unaccompanied.
http://blogs.babiesonline.com/news/unsupervised-play-is-good-for-children/

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Keeping kids active: Ideas for parents
From MayoClinic.com
Special to CNN.com

Children seem to become more sedentary every year, watching television and playing video games instead of biking to the playground or playing kickball in the backyard with their pals. Even schools have stopped emphasizing fitness. In some school districts, physical education has vanished completely because of underfunding.Kids need regular exercise to build strong bones and muscles. Exercise also helps children sleep well at night and stay alert during the day. Such habits established in childhood help adolescents maintain healthy weight despite the hormonal changes, rapid growth and social influences that often lead to overeating. And active children are more likely to become fit adults.As childhood has become more sedentary, children have put on weight and lots of it. In the past 30 years, the rate of childhood obesity has more than tripled, leading to a dramatic increase in the number of children with type 2 diabetes, a disease once limited to sedentary, overweight adults.

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If possible provide outdoor activities for your child - sand, water, climbing, digging, planting etc. If this is not possible try to take your child to a local park or leisure centre regularly where activities are available to promote gross motor skills such as climbing, running, jumping, swimming, etc.

http://www.corkcitychildcare.ie/preview.php?fileName=parents&id=11&end=html


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www.bupa.co.uk

The number of overweight and obese children in the UK has risen steadily over the past 20 years. In 2004 it was estimated that 14 percent of boys and 17 percent of girls aged two to 15 were obese. .... An unhealthy diet combined with a lack of exercise are the main causes of childhood obesity. High-calorie foods such as chocolates, sweets and fast food are cheap and readily available to children. Alongside this, physical activity and exercise are no longer a part of most children's days - some children never walk or cycle to school or play sport. Instead, many of them spend hours in front of a television or computer ... Children should be doing at least 60 minutes of physical activity each day, but four out of 10 boys and six out of 10 girls don't reach this target.

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In the United States, the percentage of overweight or obese children has doubled over the past 30 years to 25 per cent of the under-19 population.

http://www.betterhealthusa.com/public/227.cfm

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The global obesity epidemic has officially reached Irish shores. It is estimated that there are over 300,000 overweight and obese children in Ireland and this is expected to rise by 10,000 per year. Ireland is one of five European countries, along with England, Cyprus, Sweden and Greece, which have reported overweight and obesity levels exceeding 20 per cent among children aged 7-11.

http://www.independent.ie/national-news/childhood-obesity-here-will-soon-be-as-bad-as-in-the-us-125894.html

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'overweight and obesity is now the most common childhood disorder in Europe'
Irish Heart Foundation

Disclaimers

Our swings, fittings and accessories are designed for private use only we do not cater for commercial enterprises or areas of public property. We can make recommendations upon these lines if required.

The swing is made to be as strong as possible but is still only designed to be used by children. We accept no responsibility for a swing if used by an adult.

Changes in weather can result in adverse problems associated with the swing and its use. Wet weather or freezing may make seats and chains slippery, the sun may increase the temperature of the chains to a level not comfortable for use. In freezing conditions a child could stick their tongue or lips to the metal parts of the swing. If you have doubts please do not allow use of the swing.

As wood is a natural product it is subject to the influence of the moisture content of air and the ground. In warm sunny periods wood will naturally dry and shrink, in wet conditions the opposite occurs; expanding slightly as it soaks the moisture. These stresses in timber can cause natural splits and cracks to occur which add to the rustic look of your swing frame, but in no way affect the strength or safety of the material. No guarantee can be given against this naturally occurring phenomenon. We also recommend that no open fire is lit close to the swing as the wooden poles may also burn.

The height of our swing fittings (with chains) can be altered after final fitting. However, to comply with current European Standards we recommend that you do not amend our measurements. The standards set (for the distance from the ground to the underside of a standard seat) are 400mm (minimum) to 600mm (maximum).

Whilst every effort is made by us to ensure safety and comfort we cannot legislate for misuse of our products once fitted. Your swing is fully insured against damage occurring due to faulty materials or any defective fitting on our part, but we do not cover for any other eventuality. We strongly urge that a responsible adult checks the swing for signs of wear at least once per calendar month, paying special attention to the fastenings/connections. If you should notice anything of which you are unsure please immediately stop any use of the swing and contact us for assistance.

Children must be taught the correct use of a swing. Twisting a swing or walking within a swings arc while the swing is in use can cause injury, as can swinging an empty seat or attempting to jump from a moving seat. Our traditional rustic wooden seat can cause injury if misused and we accept no responsibility in such circumstances. If you have any doubts about your child using this we also offer a plastic swing seat fitted with ropes for the same cost. It is also possible for a rope to degrade over time. These should be replaced if damage is spotted.

*If altering the colour of the swing in any way please test a small area before commencing to ensure the correct shade is achieved. The structural integrity of the swing will not be affected. We will not be held responsible for any alterations or changes made after fitting.

When such time arrives to dispose of your swing please do so responsibly. Timber and metals can be recycled and should be taken to a suitable waste facility.

Every effort has been made to ensure the content of this information is accurate, but we reserve the right to update this without warning should the need arise.

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