Newton’s Cradle

Once upon a time, not so long ago, there lived a good man, called Lt. Col. Newton, who gave his home and garden to the Council, to be used by their townsfolk for recreation and leisure.  The garden became Newton Park and his house, Watling Gate, became Park Road Nursery, used and loved by the children from thereabouts.

Many years passed until, one day, the children stopped coming to the House.  They had moved down the road into a bright, purpose-built school and were very happy, but, now, nobody wanted poor old Watling Gate, which quickly sank into rack and ruin

Soon thereafter, the Council, by now grown big and bad, happened by and said that they had no more use for the old building which had served them so faithfully; that it was too expensive to repair and maintain; and that they could obtain some money by selling it, especially if they included some of the Park to make it more attractive.

Those townsfolk who visited the Park to walk their dogs, play with their children, or just to sit under the trees and listen to the birdsong were very angry because their precious land was being taken from under them.

Others felt for their House, but knew that along with redevelopment would come traffic and business, blocking the roads and disturbing their repose and so they, too, were very angry. 

Still others looked harder and said, “Why not demolish the building and open up the park to create a sanctuary for our wildlife, perhaps even with improved play areas for our children”?  The Big Bad Council, though, said that this could never be allowed to happen, no matter how dilapidated the building became.

In desperation, therefore, the local populace joined together to protect their interests, but were helpless against the might of the Big Bad Council.

So, what happened next? Did the Big Bad Council sell and get their money? Did the townsfolk win the day and keep their sanctuary? Or did the Park get smaller and smaller until, one day, no one even remembered that it had ever been there ...

You'll have to wait and see because that's another story still unwritten….  If, however, you think you can help write a new, better one, please contact us, get involved, stand up and be counted!