Victoria Park play area to close Options

[user23]

Surely it's better closed now than in the Summer?

[NWNREADER]

When do the schools break up?

Reason I ask is that Newbury College has moved its' holiday to accommodate the Royal wedding holiday. I didn't know if the schools were the same.

As for looking out my window, I've gone to work in the morning before school time, and get back after (well after), so that gives me no clue. Sorry....

[dannyboy]

I'd guess that it is closed now as this is when the contractors can fit in the work before the summer holidays. The unseasonably warm weather of the last few days will have meant more pople out than normal.

[user23]

I'd guess that it is closed now as this is when the contractors can fit in the work before the summer holidays. The unseasonably warm weather of the last few days will have meant more pople out than normal.

Indeed. It's amazing how many people can only see what's happening in the short term.

What's worse are those that are willing to exploit this for their own benefit.

[dannyboy]

Indeed. It's amazing how many people can only see what's happening in the short term.

What's worse is those that are willing to exploit this for their own benefit.

It is SOB unfortunately.

Ask a loaded question & ignore the answersyou don't like.

[user23]

It is SOB unfortunately.

Ask a loaded question & ignore the answersyou don't like.

I wonder if people are "genuinely angry" that the work's being done not even a month into Spring, I suspect, so that the new play area will be up and running for the Summer?

I wonder if this was mentioned by the person trying to make personal and party political capital from the situation?

[Simon Kirby]

I wonder if people are "genuinely angry" that the work's being done not even a month into Spring, I suspect, so that the new play area will be up and running for the Summer?

You've missed the point. The skate park and children's playground are fantastic developments, but yet people are angry about the work. It's possible they're just a bunch of whining ingrates, but more likely the Council haven't done enough to involve them in what's happening.

[user23]

You've missed the point. The skate park and children's playground are fantastic developments, but yet people are angry about the work. It's possible they're just a bunch of whining ingrates, but more likely the Council haven't done enough to involve them in what's happening.

You're suggesting people are angry about the work to give them a brand new play area being done at the start of the Spring? When should it be done and when were the contractors free to do it?

What's the solution to your last point? Should the council employ more PR staff?

[Andy Capp]

Whether people are angry or not, or whether the right questions were asked or not. As if it is going to make the blindest bit of difference to anything.

It is 'unfortunate' timing and opposition parties are entitled to draw this to people's attention, but whether it will make any difference at election time is another matter.

[dannyboy]

You've missed the point. The skate park and children's playground are fantastic developments, but yet people are angry about the work. It's possible they're just a bunch of whining ingrates, but more likely the Council haven't done enough to involve them in what's happening.

Or it could just be some creative reporting of the facts.

My 3 year old was upset when I told her the park was shut & the rides were going,but even she understood how much better the play area would be once I explained why the area was closed.

[Simon Kirby]

You're suggesting people are angry about the work to give them a brand new play area being done at the start of the Spring? When should it be done and when were the contractors free to do it?

What's the solution to your last point? Should the council employ more PR staff?

No, I suspect the anger is born of frustration and alienation. If you ask the angry people they'll tell you about the mess and disruption, about the stupid timing, about the trees that were cut down, and about the old facilities that they now can't use, and I don't think any of those things are at the root of the anger.

It's about involvement. I suspect these angry people see stuff going on in their park that they don't fully understand and they feel threatened and resentful. It's natural. It's healthy that we feel a sense of ownership of our communities, and if the Council strut around like they own the place that will create alienation and resentment.

The solution is difficult because you can't fake it, and NTC don't do involvement.

One of the biggest problems is simply a lack of information. A press-release and a few notices in the park doesn't do it. A great big poster presentation would be a start, but to engage the kids that use the skate park yes, I think you'd need a specialist and you'd need to engage them on their terms.

Involvement is harder. NTC can only get its head around committees and fusty old working groups that it tightly controls, and it's only a tiny fraction of the population that can engage on those terms. There are techniques used in the parish planning movement that go some way to involving the whole community, and I feel that's the way to go, but the bigger challenge is that NTC simply doesn't want to involve its public, and I don't know what you do about that.

[Simon Kirby]

Or it could just be some creative reporting of the facts.

Might be that too. Richard does have form.

[user23]

No, I suspect the anger is born of frustration and alienation. If you ask the angry people they'll tell you about the mess and disruption, about the stupid timing, about the trees that were cut down, and about the old facilities that they now can't use, and I don't think any of those things are at the root of the anger.

Why's the timing "stupid"?

You dodged the question, when should it be done and when were the contractors free to do it?

[Simon Kirby]

Why's the timing "stupid"?

You dodged the question, when should it be done and when were the contractors free to do it?

Again, you miss the point. I don't believe the timing is stupid. As far as I can tell they got on with the thing as soon as they possibly could considering when the funding became available, and while it couldn't possibly be ready for the spring, it will in all likelihood be ready for a fantastic summer. But if people are angry about the timing I don't think you should dismiss their anger just because it is utterly and infuriatingly ungrateful - they feel it none the less, and its root-cause is something the Council are getting wrong.

[user23]

Again, you miss the point. I don't believe the timing is stupid. As far as I can tell they got on with the thing as soon as they possibly could considering when the funding became available, and while it couldn't possibly be ready for the spring, it will in all likelihood be ready for a fantastic summer. But if people are angry about the timing I don't think you should dismiss their anger just because it is utterly and infuriatingly ungrateful - they feel it none the less, and its root-cause is something the Council are getting wrong.

I just don't think NTC employing Community Cohesion Officers and other similar jobs at the taxpayers expense to try and appease people who would probably be annoyed whatever time of year the park closed is the solution.

[Andy Capp]

Does anyone know what 'we' are getting for the play area?

[dannyboy]

Does anyone know what 'we' are getting for the play area?

As most kids will happily play with an empty cardboard box......does it matter? They be happy no matter what is installed. Maybe they should just leave the boxes....

[Andy Capp]

As most kids will happily play with an empty cardboard box......does it matter?

Nothing matters; I just would like to know what all the 'fuss' is about.

[Andy Capp]

Not this old line again! Where have we heard this before!

“The timing is unfortunate, but the aim is to have it all open by the Bank holiday at the end of May and unfortunately, you cannot make an omelette without breaking an egg.”

It just sounds so ruddy patronising.

[Brad]

I don't think anyone is angry and I am questioning whether Richard actually asks anyone or just makes it up as he goes. Not once have I ever been asked a question or seen any nosey gits asking peoples opinions. No-one is waving pitchforks and I can't see any protests.

The play area is far from good and it's about time it was leveled. We might get a decent play area now and in time for the real summer.