| Topic: | Re:Scarmongering on Gunnersbury Park | |
| Posted by: | Patricia Nicholas | |
| Date/Time: | 19/11/08 10:08:00 |
| It is quite untrue that the park has been neglected for decades. A large amount of money has been spent every year on maintenance. Money from theGas Board land, which had always been earmarked for the Park under S.106 was made available and used to improve the bathhouse and the japanese garden. On a number of occasions in the past 30 years there have been attempts to build commercially in the park. The Rothschilds left the park to the two boroughs for the use of all the residents and visitors to the area. There has always been a problem relating to the stables and if money cannot be found, or Lottery funding obtained for refurbishment or some related arts/community development then frankly I have always felt they should be allowed to continue their slow decline. A lot of money was allocated to the mainenance of the park and this was done successfully on a tight budget for many years and, in addition, restoration of the orangery, use of the small mansion by artists who provided community art sessions in school holidays; restoration of the bathhouse and the japanese gardens. During those 20+ years there have been a number of attempts by people to develop part of the park for commercial reasons.These have been fought off by the community and, with the support of Ann Keen at all times. So no more talk of jumping on the bandwagon - Ann stood firm whether it was Labour or, as now, the Tories, running things. Certainly over the past several years the park has been allowed to decline - but that is the result of budgetary decisions by the Tory councils. And shame on them. |