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| Queen urged to let children
play |
Monarch asked to intervene over
closed playground
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Pictured: (from left) Thomas Mouriy, 5, Peter Mouriy, 10,
Clement Mouriy, 12, Alex Bailey, 9, and William Bailey,
5
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THE Queen has been urged to intervene over the summer closure
of a popular playground.
Bored kids have been told they can’t play on swings and roundabouts
at the well-known Gloucester Gate play area in Regent’s Park.
Tantalisingly, they can see their prized play equipment – but
fences mean the children have had to look elsewhere for holiday
fun.
Camden’s education chief Nick Smith has taken up the issue
and written to the Queen at Buckingham Palace for an explanation,
as the playground is run by the Royal Parks.
He wrote: “For months and months now, many parts of the equipment
at the children’s playground at Gloucester Gate has been cordoned
off from use. It is not clear why.”
The issue is becoming an increasing concern over the summer holidays
when children are desperate to use the facilities.
Nobody for the Royal Parks was available for comment yesterday (Wednesday)
but it is thought the playground has fallen foul of a delayed repair
job.
Cllr Smith added in his letter: “The continued delay in dealing
with the problems at the children’s playground at Gloucester
Gate do need an explanation and attention. Your Majesty, parts of
Camden Town have high-rise housing and many families do not have
gardens.
“The playground at Gloucester Gate is much loved by us all.
I hope you will be able to help with this enquiry and get things
moved along.”
The letter reached Buckingham Palace last month – and on Monday,
Cllr Smith received a reply from The Queen.
Her aide, David Ryan, said: “Her Majesty understands your reasons
for writing as you did and has taken careful note of your comments.”
When the New Journal visited the playground yesterday (Wednesday),
kids looked wistfully at the locked away equipment.
Clement Mouriy, 12, said: “Nobody knows why it has been closed.”
His younger brother, Thomas, 5, added: “I crawled under the
fence because I wanted to play on the swings so much.”
Brothers William and Alex Bailey, who live in Eton Avenue, Swiss
Cottage, said: “We want our playground back.”
Cllr Smith said: “It’s good that the Palace has responded
to my letter and great that the Queen is showing a personal interest
in this issue. One of the lessons of politics is that you need to
build coalitions. This is an unusual example of Citizen Smith, seeking
Royal support to try and get things done. This is a very popular
playground for local children – we want it brought back to
full use.” |
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