Access concerns over Donnington Castle electronic gate plan, Sad state of affairs. Options

[andy1979uk]

Very sad when I expect a small minority of people cannot respect a building of such historical importance.

[Timbo]

It's a gate. Probably saves on the need for a gatekeeper.

[blackdog]

I think it's more about the new owner of the house not wanting his drive used at all hours so he has decided to put in a new gate to enforce the long standing car park timings. Can't say as I blame him.

[Simon Kirby]

I think it's more about the new owner of the house not wanting his drive used at all hours so he has decided to put in a new gate to enforce the long standing car park timings. Can't say as I blame him.

As I read the story it is about the owner of Donnington Castle House, "former Vodafone chief executive and current chairman of GlaxoSmithKline, Sir Christopher Gent" asking English Heritage to install a new gate to stop people using the English Heritage car park outside of what the article says is the car park opening hours of 9.30am until 6.30pm. It's not clear from the article why Sir Christopher wants English Heritage to lock its car park but my guess is because in some way it's inconvenient for him, but if locking the car park is going to inconvenience existing users of the castle and grounds as the article says it will then I don't see that English Heritage should be doing anything - their duty is to preserve our heritage for our enjoyment.

[Andy Capp]

As I read the story it is about the owner of Donnington Castle House, "former Vodafone chief executive and current chairman of GlaxoSmithKline, Sir Christopher Gent" asking English Heritage to install a new gate to stop people using the English Heritage car park outside of what the article says is the car park opening hours of 9.30am until 6.30pm. It's not clear from the article why Sir Christopher wants English Heritage to lock its car park but my guess is because in some way it's inconvenient for him, but if locking the car park is going to inconvenience existing users of the castle and grounds as the article says it will then I don't see that English Heritage should be doing anything - their duty is to preserve our heritage for our enjoyment.

Hear. hear. He wants, he pays. 18:30 is ridiculously early for summer months. I remember going to the castle quite regularly when I first learnt to drive. Back then, one could go there 'till quite late. I understand that pedestrian access will remain.

[dannyboy]

Their duty is to preserve our heritage - by installing a gate that stops lead theives is doing just that.

If the gates are electronically controlled they'll be able to have longer hours in the summer.

Judging by the amount of crap & fast food detritus left in the car park & the burn marks to the grass, those using the car park after dark are only their to cause a nuisance.

[Strafin]

*thieves *there

Can we all stop with the grammar and spelling errors now - nobody is perfect.

[dannyboy]

*thieves *there

Can we all stop with the grammar and spelling errors now - nobody is perfect.

Well spotted.

You win the prize.

[Strafin]

Yay! Is the prize the key to electronic gate?

[Andy Capp]

Their duty is to preserve our heritage - by installing a gate that stops lead theives is doing just that.

If the gates are electronically controlled they'll be able to have longer hours in the summer.

Judging by the amount of crap & fast food detritus left in the car park & the burn marks to the grass, those using the car park after dark are only their to cause a nuisance.

I'm sceptical that this will have the effect of stopping all that.

[Simon Kirby]

Their duty is to preserve our heritage - by installing a gate that stops lead theives is doing just that.

If the gates are electronically controlled they'll be able to have longer hours in the summer.

Judging by the amount of crap & fast food detritus left in the car park & the burn marks to the grass, those using the car park after dark are only their to cause a nuisance.

It wasn't clear from the article that the metal thefts were from the castle building - weren't the thefts from Donnington Castle House?

"crap & fast food detritus" and "burn marks to the grass" says to me that people are parking on the grass to eat fast-food, and that you're making some value-judgement on their right to enjoy the castle grounds. I suggest that English Heritage need to think what they're doing wrong and how they can better engage with the whole social spectrum of their current site users. Simply excluding a problem demographic creates yet more alienation and disenfranchisement, the very problems you're complaining about.

[worried]

To limit access to Donnington Castle car park would be a retrograde step, I use it from time to time and would support others in their plea to ensure that the gate is opened at 7am and closed at say 9pm in the summer months let's say April to September and say 7 am to 6:30pm during the winter say October to March. I am aware that the lead was stolen from the roof of the castle about 4 years ago and the gates being locked would probably have prevented this. Any other exclusion would smack of just that --- exclusivity.

[dannyboy]

It wasn't clear from the article that the metal thefts were from the castle building - weren't the thefts from Donnington Castle House?

"crap & fast food detritus" and "burn marks to the grass" says to me that people are parking on the grass to eat fast-food, and that you're making some value-judgement on their right to enjoy the castle grounds. I suggest that English Heritage need to think what they're doing wrong and how they can better engage with the whole social spectrum of their current site users. Simply excluding a problem demographic creates yet more alienation and disenfranchisement, the very problems you're complaining about.

Enjoy the castle grounds at 2am? Everyone should be excluded from the grounds during the hours of darkness. Common sense really.


The lightning conductor was taken from the castle.

[dannyboy]

I'm sceptical that this will have the effect of stopping all that.

Me too - the gates would just be forced / cut.

[Andy Capp]

I am aware that the lead was stolen from the roof of the castle about 4 years ago and the gates being locked would probably have prevented this.

Can this be verified? I can find nothing on the Internet to support this. I have read about The Castle pub having lead theft problems and Shaw House, but not the Castle itself. Wondering how tenacious 'metal thieves' are, I doubt a gate would trouble them much.

[dannyboy]

Can this be verified? I can find nothing on the Internet to support this. I have read about the castle pub having lead theft problems and Shaw House, but not the Castle itself. Wondering how tenacious 'metal thieves' are, I doubt a gate would trouble them much.

The metal theft is only part of the problem.

[Andy Capp]

Enjoy the castle grounds at 2am? Everyone should be excluded from the grounds during the hours of darkness. Common sense really.

But that isn't what is being proposed. Hence the scepticism about the reasons for the gate.

[Andy Capp]

The metal theft is only part of the problem.

I realise that, but vandalism to the castle itself is a much bigger issue than a bit of charred lawn or take-way bags. Especially if the proposal is unlikely to stop any of that.

[dannyboy]

I realise that, but vandalism to the castle itself is a much bigger issue than a bit of charred lawn or take-way bags. Especially if the proposal is unlikely to stop any of that.

I'd not like unsavoury behaviour just over the boundary of my property either. I doubt anyone would. There are several places where late night 'activity' results in mess & annoyance for others.

A gate, on a timer, would certainly stop some of the activity.

[andy1979uk]

I'd not like unsavoury behaviour just over the boundary of my property either. I doubt anyone would. There are several places where late night 'activity' results in mess & annoyance for others.

A gate, on a timer, would certainly stop some of the activity.

I agree, peoples attitudes to litter is disgusting. If they abuse it they should lose it. Simple.