But we have got palm trees

It is sad though remembering how nice the parks were Its odd how they can win prizes for gardens at Hampton Court and Chelsea.

southendroger wrote on Jul 12^th, 2010 at 1:59pm:


Southchurch Hall Park has, unfortunately, not been a patch on it's former self for many years. I remember in my younger childhood - late 70s/early 80s, when the whole place was planted out in colour, and the rose beds had loads of...well...roses!

But it sounds like it's degenerated more and more recently - which is a massive shame.

I once offered my services to the council as at the time I was mentoring a group of local film makers who were planning to record a sort of 'year in the life' type documentary about Belfairs Park and Woods. I approached the council who asked for a meeting which was arranged and then attended. It was revealed at that meeting that the council were planning (still could be?) some sort of activity center in the heart of the woods and asked if we could make a film for them gathering peoples opinions. We said yes we could as that was going to be part of our project anyway and dropping a few questions in re a new center wouldn't be a problem. But we then stated that we wanted to produce a balanced film so if anyone had a grievance or negative opinion then that would also be included within our film. The whole tone of the meeting then changed. We were then presented with a selection of documents and forms that the council said we had to fill out before we would be allowed to film anything within the borough and also a fee would be required along with £5,000,000 public liability insurance (we then only had £2 Mil) We explained at length that it was a purely amateur production being made by the town's residence going about their hobby. 'Didn't matter, no film for council, no filming without permissions or fees'. We told them in no uncertain terms what we thought of their terms and conditions and how we intended to make the film regardless, with or without their approval. So you might gather from this encounter that the council is not too hot on public involvement.

I think the porta cabins look quite fetching. I think that area always was in need of a revamp, my fear is, unless the authorities get to grips with the winos, yobs and druggies that had taken over the park (mainly in the evenings) then when it is finished it will just drift back to where it was.

I went past there last week it  it such a shame, its completly wrecked and to be replaced by a stupid resturant with a roof that opens like a flower,

kiwibloke wrote on Jul 16^th, 2010 at 2:11am:


Strangely enough, on the news tonight, they reported the some of what's been suggested by the public, on the government's "suggest ways we can make savings" website.

One idea was "sack all council gardeners and get volunteers to do it instead". What few are actually still employed are, I guess, doing things like mowing lawns and verges. If they sack them, then Britain will be on it's way back to overgrowth everywhere.