Forum Topic

Gunnersbury Park Trustees

Is it not a shame that Gunnersbury Park has been neglected and played about with by different people over the many years that Ealing and Hounslow Councils have had custody of it? Looking at Osterley House wouldn't it be better served in the hands of the National Trust, with conditions in place for free public access to the grounds.

Roy Baker ● 4079d6 Comments

Seems they really want fund raisers or a Carneigie type philanthropist.But as long as they are tough and savvy enough to get led along by the spiv brigade of developers and their cohorts, it could be the best chance to keep the park as it is intended.

Anthony Waller ● 4078d

'The councils have their own agendas and as this park sits between the boroughs there is probably not enough electoral focus on it.'Peter, that is one of the reasons that the councils are relinquishing control to a board of trustees.

Susan Kelly ● 4078d

The National Trust has a formula which works but Gunnersbury park is a public amenity. as a former football user on a Saturday it was a great place to play. The councils have their own agendas and as this park sits between the boroughs there is probably not enough electoral focus on it.But also the National Trust with their formula can be quite harsh in dealing with locals. At the Giants Causeway they evicted all the traditional local traders who sold souvenirs. In fact some had been given rights by the previous landowner. So it was a battle as some were just verbal agreements. Only now have they started to reach out to the locals who had looked after the place for years to in effect populate with history their visitor centre. One family actually had a written agreement and so now the National Trust had to build them a shop. So their Focus is not always helpful to local users.

Peter Chadburn ● 4078d

I guess if we want the right kind of trustees for Gunnersbury, we should be applying for the role ourselves?

Susan Kelly ● 4078d

The National Trust is a very reliable organisation which I admire. Most of the buildings and grounds in their portfolio are well administered and run, often with excellent visitor facilities and conditions - which is more than I could say for our local Gunnersbury Park. How come?

Gerry Tan ● 4078d

I do hope they get the right kind of trustees and not stooges for developers and those who are licking their lips at getting their hands on Gunnersbury park.But the 40 years of ineptness displayed by both Ealing and Hounslow councils has led to a fine park becoming a disgrace.When kids have to use an upturned table as a net on tennis courts that just 30 years ago were in abundance and always in use is a scandal.But doing deals and making it expensive to use and the whiff of 'exclusive' being banded about as a solution is not too good either.So much can and could be done quite cheaply to bring it back to scratch and then and only then, look at serious upgrades and enhancements.But when one looks at the cost of Walpole park, one would expect a better result for the money spent.

Anthony Waller ● 4079d