Bohemia Village Voice

Vic Chalcraft writes (Aug 2007)

Dear Sir, It would be nice if you would really sort out what is and what is not Bohemia. The Glen is definitely not. It’s in the Southwater area. Whilst it is nice to support our neighbours if they need it on such a project, let’s look at Bohemia proper’s green spaces and get them brought up to scratch. I refer of course to the Shornden area of Alexandra Park, and more so to Thorpe Wood and Newgate Fields, both used as playgrounds for children in the past. Newgate Fields, which used to be mowed and the trees husbanded, is now a nettle- and weed-covered mess, with the trees in need of management – with just a mowing of footpath areas, the main path being just a track, when in days gone by it was wide, with a good surface. It’s nice to read of the work and restoration done by volunteers in Summerfields. So let’s campaign for our own green spaces and show interest in what is ours. Vic Chalcraft, Aldborough Road.

We are grateful to Vic for his positive response to our last issue. Once again, he’s right on the money. The neglect of Newgate Fields is symbolic of the area’s general decline in recent years. Restoring the Fields to their former glory is a high priority for the Village Voice, and a campaign to that effect will feature in a future issue – Ed.

COMMENTS

I White writes (Sep 2007) Dear Sir, Imagine if you will, a beautiful green lung between two roads. An area which has been lovingly cut by five men with scythes until it looks like a bowling green, every piece of cut grass removed. Managed trees providing shade on a hot, sunny day and flowering bushes lining the footpath as you walk down with the children or your dog. Alas you will not find it now. This same area is like a wasteland. Tall stinging nettles, cow parsley and other weeds plus unmanageable tangled masses of grass now cover this place. Where is this place? Why, Newgate Fields and Shornden Wood, lying between Amherst Road and Upper Park Road. Since the necessary tractor to do the job has been sold, it has suddenly become too dangerous to mow, despite the fact that the young man who has always mowed the grass has never had an accident in all the years he has done the job. Gardens abutting the path now have stinging nettles and brambles which have invaded there with vengeance. Despite seeing, ringing and discussing this situation with more than one member of the council to no avail, it’s about time Bohemia drew battle lines and made them give us back our beautiful place.  I. White, Amherst Road.