Meant for all

The Ormond family gave Wantage Recreation Ground to the town in 1920. When Mrs Ormond opened it for the first time in May of that year she expressed her pleasure at being able to present to the townspeople of Wantage a recreational facility that would be always freely available to them and to future generations.

While it may not have been written into the original agreement, there is no doubt that free access for all was the Ormond family’s intention. To have large areas of the site available only to a privileged few was never envisaged.

During the 90 years that the recreation ground has been open, it has provided thousands of Wantage children with their first experience of winter sports. Tobogganing down the hill was an eagerly anticipated winter activity (and with no serious injuries).

When the cold snap occurred last December it was heartening to see so many children (plus fathers and grandfathers) enjoying themselves in the snow every day. The sledges varied from those homemade by dad, to state-of-the-art units from Argos but everyone was outside in the fresh air and away from the Playstation and X-box. If the tennis club are allowed their development it will block forever the last remaining slope in the park that is suitable for tobogganing.

With snow on the ground, Manor Road Recreation Ground is Wantage’s equivalent of London’s Hampstead Heath. Surely no-one wants to be party to the destruction of this unique and much enjoyed local amenity?

Alan Trinder Westfield Way Wantage