I have no idea who to blame. Large bits of the park have been in poor repair for many years. But so is my garden. My garden is, though, neat and tidy, properly pruned and well looked after. Basic garden maintenance even though it is wet and kids play in it and it gets well used.I can accept that Walpole gets heavy use and has had a pounding every summer in the vital months when it can be enjoyed but prepared for winter.What I can't accept that with a big once in it's history day, no-one thought to move the festival for a year -easily done and prepare the park in advance.The wet weather hampers but does not stop everything if care is taken.It has not got a well drained special underbase like the Royal Hospital grounds.So even one event takes a toll.The park has a friends society, how on earth have they not flagged this up?It's not money, it's just good simple old fashioned practical maintenance that's required.To see Enterprise and council vehicles driving over corners and edges of paths is indicative of sloppiness and indifference.Clearly I am not the first to notice otherwise the press would not be there, but for the town of my birth, I feel ashamed that it's flagship park is so unkempt in such a year.For a lot of younger people, this will be a great memory and, regardless of what one thinks of the Olympics and the antics of LOCOG, politicians and sponsors to puff their egos, the torch relay is about the only part that ordinary people and Londoners have not been shut out of.It's watched more overseas than here and it is the chance to show off our town alongside those of others.What will be seen is a tatty park partly due to the poor weather but more due to an obvious lack of forward planning.
Michael Brandt ● 5011d