Correspondence with SLDC

Here, to show that we we have kept SLDC informed at all times regarding our work with their parks department, are copies of our correpondence in date order
 Sadly the headings of the correspondence do not show this can be rectified at a later date . I've put in the first:

    From:     Tony Naylor
    Subject:     RE: Repairs and pottery in Lightburn Park
    Date:     14 September 2009 14:17:57 GMT+01:00
    To:     Geoff Dellow

Dear Mr Dellow,

Apologies if nobody phoned you back but I was on leave from 20th August to 4th September so couldn't have phoned you anyway, additionally I haven't had a message to phone you.

Routine maintenance by the contractors includes grass cutting, hedge clipping, shrub and flower bed maintenance and sweeping/litter collection. I am concerned that the basic maintenance doesn't appear to be being carried out in the park and I am taking up matters with the play ground engineer and our contractors as to why these things aren't being attended to. There is no reason that I can think of as to why the safety surface should not be swept. There shouldn't be any maintenance issues we can't deal with fairly quickly if they fit within the work list above.

There are some issues with pools of water surrounding the ramp which I am taking up with the landscape architect who designed the layout.

With regard to your specific operations concerning the play area I have copied your email to the playground engineer for his comments and will get back to you again when he has replied. We are in the process of removing bark pits in favour of reinforced grass mesh and I want to check he hasn't got this area planned for such an operation. You may not know but there has been a change in the safety surface requirements for play equipment in favour of reducing the amount of area requiring rubber or bark surfaces and so we adjust repairs or renewal to match the new requirements.

The pottery workshop sounds like a great idea.

In general I am happy to work with your group to help improve the park, would you be interested in helping develop a management improvement/plan for the area or be involved as a constituted friends group?

Finally I am in Lightburn Park On Wednesday afternoon, if you would like to meet up I will be there from 14:30.

Yours sincerely,

Tony Naylor



-----Original Message-----
From: Geoff Dellow [mailto:gd@tygh.co.uk]
Sent: 14- Sep- 09 13:03
To: Naylor, Tony
Cc: Bishop-Rowe, Norman; Foster, Richard; Airey, James; Tony Taylor;
David Pickthall
Subject: Repairs and pottery in Lightburn Park


Tony Naylor,

I am attaching at the bottom, the email that was sent out on August 
27th to Richard Foster and will presumably have been past on to you.

You may recall that I contacted your office by phone the previous week 
and was told that you were busy but would phone back.

I have so far not received any responses to either email or phone call 
however at least you are aware of our activities.

Perhaps email is a better way of communicating!

This is an update on our activities:

First , we have filled in one of the very large holes beneath rubber 
matting that is under the spinning equipment featured in the 
photographs on my blog.

See http://geoffdellow.blogspot.com/2009/08/lightburn-park-my-what-state-its-in.html

Second we plan further work in this particular section of the park. 
Because the rubber under this piece of equipment has been completely 
covered with mud it has lost it effectiveness to break a fall. We 
propose lifting the matting, Cleaning it thoroughly and putting it 
back, tied together neatly with plastic ties to avoid gaps.

Thirdly, we would like to bring back the bark chippings area 
surrounding the swings to its former glory. We intend to thoroughly 
weed the area and wonder whether you would provide some further bark 
chippings for this area as these have become dissipated  in time.

Fourthly we plan to encourage people in the park to make pottery 
items  to put on the railings made by the local people in a similar 
way to those added so successfully to the railings of Gill Banks up 
from the Gill Ulverston( for photosof this see http://geoffdellow.blogspot.com/2009/08/gill-banks-now.html)
. We plan to put some examples of what locals have already made on the 
railings at Lightburn Park  this week.

We plan to hold the pottery workshop and tidying up activity in the 
children's play area on September 26th and will leaflet the area 
accordingly.

We trust the you will want to support and encourage this activity at a 
time when it is obvious that SLDC have little cash to enable good 
maintenance of the area. We hope that you will encourage us by 
donating so bark shippings for use on September 26th

We suggest that an excellent solution to this is to encourage 
community involvement which is what a group of local residents led by 
Tony Taylor (his email is above) of 39 Lightburn Avenue is doing.

James Airey, one of the Town Councillors for the Lightburn Park  Ward, 
was very complimentary when shown the work at Gill Banks recently and 
I'm sure will want to support this initiative in Lightburn Park. (I'm 
contacting him now by email)

We welcome your input and look forward to hearing from you.

Geoff Dellow

*           *           *           *           *           
*           *           *           *           *           *

Sirs,

This park, which is heavily used needs repairs that would take little 
effort.

In the children's area there are very large and deep puddles which do 
not drain and remain full long after the rain has stopped. This 
equipment is very well used yet the appearance of the area is very 
disappointing and leads to a lack of respect for the park.

Now that the excellent skateboarding facilities have been installed it 
would greatly improve people of different ages to socialise if some 
benches could be installed closeby so that people could watch (and 
influence the behaviour there). I believe some benches have been 
removed from the County Square and are under the care of Jayne Kendall.

I'm sure that you will appreciate our intention to carry out repairs 
ourselves including the cultivation of some of the beds as it appears 
that this is beyond the resources of the SLDC.

Are you willing to give over some of the maintenance to a local group?

Geoff Dellow


************************************************************************************
' South Lakeland District Council - Aiming for Excellence '
'Making South Lakeland the best place to live, work and visit'
Dear Mr Dellow,

Glad to hear the pottery is up, it should add an attractive feature to the play area.

By way of an update, I have applied for extra funding to sort out some of the problems around the ramp and Peter has organised the digging of a trial hole to see if an old culvert has been damaged. The earth banking can be looked at when we have secured the capital funding, which is a process in -hand but without a definite conclusion yet. We would need to discuss with people any extra path which might need installing or perhaps adapt existing ones. I am tackling NPS to find out if there is any comeback on the contractor who installed the ramp. I am not sure about trees on top of the bank, I think they could be prone to damage.

We have also got the go-ahead for installing a cargo net play structure on the grass area towards the disused tennis courts below the bank next to the old bowling green.

I am at a half way stage with the seating, it actually belongs to Ulverston Town Council now so I still need to ask them if they would be willing for some of it to go into Lightburn Park.

I am off all next week with it being half term but will chase these items up when I return.

Regards
Tony Naylor

-----Original Message-----
From: Geoff Dellow [mailto:gd@tygh.co.uk]
Sent: 21- Oct- 09 13:24
To: Naylor, Tony
Cc: Tony Taylor
Subject: Update on Lightburn


We have now installed the pottery on the railings of the Children's 
play area.

They look great as does the upgrade to the matting surround the play 
equipment that you have instigated.

Sending pictures separately incase they prevent this email getting 
through SLDC security.

We didn't discuss the situation regarding the works surrounding the 
skateboarding facility at our last meeting.

I could see that this was already a matter of concern between yourself 
and Peter Clark, your engineer.

As you can imagine the residents are eager to know what is planned for 
the future. This information is sometimes difficult to find out so 
that the public are left in the dark.

I'm sure there would be a lot of sympathy towards the council if the 
residents were told what the score is even though this may not be as 
they had hoped!

The Main questions are:

When will the rest of the work be tackled as the mess and inaction 
are  depressing?

What design can we expect?  The initial drawings done by NPS for the 
SLDC ( Oct 2008 Drawing nr CUS0360/6 ) suggest a high banking to kill 
of the sound together with trees around this.

Will there be a hard core path to this area?

How are your negotiations with Jayne Kendal to install bench seating 
so as to encourage adults to participate by watching the youngsters 
(and cheering occasionally)? Their presents of course would have a 
good moderating effect on any potential poor behaviour especially as 
to who gets a go on this desirable facility (young children have 
sometimes been shooed off by older teenagers).

Thanks in advance for your time in replying.

Geoff Dellow

Note : I've copied in Tony Taylor who wasn't able to be present at our 
meeting because of work commitments and is the leader of the Lightburn 
Park Group.This group is moving forward slowly but steadly to becoming 
constituted - we have already got 23 potential members. In the mean 
time , I'm acting as secretary!


************************************************************************************
Dear Mr Dellow & Mr Taylor

If you follow the link it will take you to a drawing of the cargo/net climber tower we are going to install.

Regards
Tony Naylor

http://www.playdale.co.uk/products/junior-play-equipment/climbers-nets/single-mast-activity-net

Tony
Its due to go in fairly soon. I will get back to you with an exact date.
Tony N
/
Dear Mr Dellow

Whilst I am quite willing to support your ideas for public planting I must draw your attention to the fact that The Pound is a protected structure and I cannot authorise any works in the area which involve digging or construction as this would not be legal. A raised planter totally separate from the structure would be ideal but even this would need permission.

I will need a detailed plan of your proposals, so that we can put the information before the Secretary of State/English Heritage. Such proposals will take a minimum of 12 weeks before approval/rejection is decided.

Could you get back to me if you still want to proceed?

Regards
Tony Naylor

-----Original Message-----
From: Geoff Dellow [mailto:gd@tygh.co.uk]
Sent: 18- Jan- 10 10:55
To: Naylor, Tony
Cc: Tony Taylor; artyannette@yahoo.co.uk; Alison Emery; Jennie Dennett;
Hodgson,Colin
Subject: Mill Dam playground and the adjacent Pound area


Tony,

Continuing our interest in contributing to the Parks and public places 
like Gill Banks in Ulverston, where we have recently added planters to 
complement the pottery there, we are looking at the above play areas 
with a view to working with the SLDC and the local people.

On the one hand, we would like to initiate the growing of flowers and 
maybe some vegetables by people who live locally in these areas. On 
the other the smartening up of the wooden fence and the addition of 
pottery onto it and the walls of the pound.

We have been given a wide range of seeds by Chiltern Seeds for use in 
Ulverston's public places. We have started to grow some of these in a 
cold frame over the winter. Some of the plants are surviving well.

We are also on the point of purchasing and installing a greenhouse in 
my garden in which we can raise further plants from the 100 odd 
packets of seeds that have been given.

The idea would be to cultivate some flower beds in the Mill Dam 
Playground and develop the Pound area which is now totally disused. In 
the latter we could grow sweet peas up the higher walls and possibly 
create raised beds for vegetables and flowers. This would then form an 
attractive sitting out area for people wanting to read or sit as well 
as somewhere for parents with young children to do a bit of gardening.

We would be grateful for any contributions from the Council in the 
form of:

Peat substitute, fertiliser, trellis for the sweet peas, wood to build 
raised beds in the pound area, suitable 'paint' for the fencing which 
is badly in need of attention. When established a picnic table and/or 
bench for the pound area and a gate to prevent the entry of dogs to 
the pound.

We are also aware that we can approach the Neighbourhood Forum for 
funds once we have got going.

Our aim would be to start small and see how much public interest 
developed. Many of the houses in the area - down  Sun Street have 
little garden and an interest has already been shown by children in 
the street growing things themselves in a small way. We are also in 
touch with someone at the adjacent Garden Terrace allotment  who 
already provides surplus plants to the schools.

Should this project gain substantial public support we could be 
interested in turning our attention to Lightburn Park. The potential 
is great.

The encouragement of adults to participate in developing the play 
areas will encourage more responsible behaviour in these areas and 
could lead to the involvement of young people in the projects.

We look forward to your reaction to these proposals.

Geoff

Dear Mr Dellow
Sorry not to have replied before, I have been tied up with tenders for renewal of the grounds maintenance contract since 15th January! I am in the process of catching up with the backlog, but I am moving offices today and tomorrow so will reply properly to your emails later in the week.

Yours sincerely,

Tony Naylor

-----Original Message-----
From: Geoff Dellow [mailto:gd@tygh.co.uk]
Sent: 25- Jan- 10 03:42
To: Naylor, Tony
Cc: Hodgson,Colin
Subject: Mill Dam Playground Upgrade


Tony Naylor,

The bulb planting went well yesterday.

We shall continue next Sunday.

Could you answer my query regarding contributions from SLDC?

Can you help with supplies of materials?

One of the benches needs two slats on the seat replaced. We also plan 
to retreat the fence starting this next Sunday. Have you any opinions 
as to what is the most suitable material to use. If you are not going 
to be able to provide the materials then we will buy this ourselves. 
It would be good to have your advice.

There is a "raised bed" between the two entrances; we pan to dig the 
grass up on this area so that it can be planted out with flowers or 
vegetables as at present it is not used.

Looking forward to your input.

Geoff Dellow
Dear Mr Dellow,

I think it would be a good idea to meet up later this week and have a look at the project areas you had in mind or have completed.

Are you free to meet up at Mill Dam Thursday or Friday this week?

Regards
Tony Naylor


-----Original Message-----
From: Geoff Dellow [mailto:gd@tygh.co.uk]
Sent: 08- Feb- 10 13:11
To: Naylor, Tony
Subject: Re: Mill Dam Playground Upgrade


Dear Tony Naylor,

Many thanks.

We completed the bulb planting yesterday and have some ideas we'd like 
to explore.

Best wishes with the move.

Geoff Dellow
On 8 Feb 2010, at 10:25, Naylor, Tony wrote:

Dear Mr Dellow
Sorry not to have replied before, I have been tied up with tenders 
for renewal of the grounds maintenance contract since 15th January! 
I am in the process of catching up with the backlog, but I am moving 
offices today and tomorrow so will reply properly to your emails 
later in the week.

Yours sincerely,

Tony Naylor

-----Original Message-----
From: Geoff Dellow [mailto:gd@tygh.co.uk]
Sent: 25- Jan- 10 03:42
To: Naylor, Tony
Cc: Hodgson,Colin
Subject: Mill Dam Playground Upgrade


Tony Naylor,

The bulb planting went well yesterday.

We shall continue next Sunday.

Could you answer my query regarding contributions from SLDC?

Can you help with supplies of materials?

One of the benches needs two slats on the seat replaced. We also plan
to retreat the fence starting this next Sunday. Have you any opinions
as to what is the most suitable material to use. If you are not going
to be able to provide the materials then we will buy this ourselves.
It would be good to have your advice.

There is a "raised bed" between the two entrances; we pan to dig the
grass up on this area so that it can be planted out with flowers or
vegetables as at present it is not used.

Looking forward to your input.

Geoff Dellow


************************************************************************************
Dear Mr Dellow,

In that case 10am on Friday at Mill Dam Play Area?
Regards
Tony Naylor

-----Original Message-----
From: Geoff Dellow [mailto:gd@tygh.co.uk]
Sent: 15- Feb- 10 14:01
To: Naylor, Tony
Subject: Re: Mill Dam Playground Upgrade


Anytime Friday between 9am and 5 pm would be fine for me.

Geoff Dellow
On 15 Feb 2010, at 10:31, Naylor, Tony wrote:

Dear Mr Dellow,

I think it would be a good idea to meet up later this week and have 
a look at the project areas you had in mind or have completed.

Are you free to meet up at Mill Dam Thursday or Friday this week?

Regards
Tony Naylor

Dear Mr Dellow,
Thank you for keeping me informed. I was unaware that the posts were being taken down, certainly there were no instructions issued to do this.

At present I am still tied up with commissioning the new grounds maintenance contract, but will catch up with you early next month once matters have settled down to routine at this end.

Regards
Tony Naylor


-----Original Message-----
From: Geoff Dellow [mailto:gd@tygh.co.uk]
Sent: 05- Apr- 10 11:35
To: Naylor, Tony
Cc: Hodgson,Colin; injanhan@tiscali.co.uk; J PICKTHALL
Subject: Mill Dam Playground


Tony Naylor,

An email to keep you informed about what is happening.

Since our meeting in the park six weeks ago, a considerable amount of 
work has been done in freeing up several of the beds from shrub and 
hedge roots.

Compost and bone meal has been added and seeds sown - poppies - in one 
of the beds.

The Tulip bulbs, put in in January, are showing up well on the left 
side of the park.

We have a large number of plants as seedlings being raised in our 
greenhouse which will provide bedding plants in about two week's time.

A display of ceramic butterflies, on the right fence, was featured in 
the Evening mail on March 16th. This is about to be doubled in number 
with items made by the group in the past fortnight.

We are aiming at having a bank of sweet peas growing up the right hand 
fence. The plants for these are coming on well in the greenhouse 
shortly to be planted up into larger pots.

We now have about ten people actively involved in the park work but it 
will take some time before a cohesive group is formed. the whole 
concept of getting involved is new to people. We hope to build on the 
work we have done and when people start to see the rewards of their 
involvement, I'm sure things will take off.

We have been a little disappointed not to have the quick response in 
repairs that we got when Peter Clark, your engineer attended Lightburn.

We are inclined to repair the park bench ourselves rather than wait 
any longer.

We were very concerned to see the posts for the Mill Dam notice sawn 
of at the base just at the time we were going to put up a notice 
ourselves.

These appears to be a retrograde step; What is the thinking here?

For the future:

1. What can you supply us with? How about:

a) ties for the trees
b) repair of the latches to the gates
c) compost to enrich the starved soil
d) two picnic tables
e) repairs to the existing posts around the park

2. Changes to equipment

It is early days but everyone asked - about twenty - all agree that:

a) the seesaw is too high as children can't put their feet on the ground

b) the chain bridge should be replaced with a more adventurous 
climbing frame to suit somewhat more adventurous children similar to 
the one shown here:

http://www.home-front.co.uk/category_commercial/superclimber.htm

Please note the detail design has not been discussed here.

c) something to be done with the mound where there was a long slide - 
to be discussed.

We look forward to hearing from you and from your engineer as to 
repairs and look forward to the kind of response that you gave us at 
Lightburn Park.

Sincerely

Geoff Dellow

Dear Mr Dellow,

I need to meet up with you, next week sometime if possible, not Monday or Tuesday though,  to discuss the public involvement in parks and play area management.

I am not in tomorrow but back on Monday
Thanks
Tony

Thank you Mr Dellow, Can we meet up at 14:00hrs at Lightburn Park Play area?
Thanks
Tony
Mr Dellow
I can meet you where ever you want to that wasn't important to me, there was an issue of the pottery at Lightburn Park, but to me that's an incidental matter; but what I mostly wanted to talk to you about was the establishment of a friends group and how things were or aren't progressing.

I will meet you at Mill Dam unless I hear otherwise.

Regards
Tony
-----Original Message-----
From: Geoff Dellow [mailto:gd@tygh.co.uk]
Sent: 07- Jul- 10 12:31
To: Naylor, Tony
Subject: Re: Friends of the Park Group

I'm intrigued that you choose Lightburn Park.

If you told me something about why you wanted to see me I could probably save both of us time that neither of us can really spare.

The thing that springs to mind is the state of the pottery on the railings in Lightburn Park. Taking the lot down is already in hand and could be done within 48 hours of being asked.

Why not meet in Mill Dam Playground?
Geoff
I confirm receipt of your email and will get back to you after my meeting on 14th Jan 2011. There's quite a bit to catch up on!
Tony

-----Original Message-----
From: Geoff Dellow [mailto:gd@tygh.co.uk]
Sent: 06- Jan- 11 14:16
To: Naylor, Tony
Subject: Good talking to you!



Geoff

Dear Mr Dellow,

I did think that after we last met that you were going to look at ways in which you can form a constituted group or work with one that already exists. I have not heard anything back from you since then.

Whilst there is no problem with your ideas for improving Mill Dam Play Area, as I explained when we last met, SLDC cannot work with individuals, on the scale you wish to, without ensuring proper insurance cover for public liability. The Council's own insurance company wont allow it, and since your initiatives are carrying out works which require the same level of insurance cover that we would expect from any other contractor or organisation I am not in a position to authorise any further works no matter how well intentioned.

Until you can confirm that your group is a properly constituted association or that you can demonstrate that you are working within part of an existing group we can go no further forward.

Having said that I will chase up getting the other latch fixed up with a loop (we only fitted one because we wanted o see how well it worked or if it was going to get damaged like the other latches) and a replacement picnic bench since these should have been sorted out by now, we have been rather distracted by Croftlands play area.

Yours sincerely

Tony Naylor

-----Original Message-----
From: Geoff Dellow [mailto:gd@tygh.co.uk]
Sent: 16- May- 11 11:36
To: Naylor, Tony
Cc: Hodgson,Colin
Subject: Help with Mill Dam Park


Tony,

I realise that you are worked off your feet with all the responsibilities that have been given to you.

It would greatly help us to know what help, if any,  will come from SLDC.

If despite Colin Hodgson's "having a word", you can do nothing, we would like to be told this so that we can take this into account in our work in the park over the next months.

Could you please tell us : Yes , No or Maybe over the following requests we have made:

1.Ten Tons of Compost.

2. New picnic table

3. Materials to repair benches

4. Effective catches on the gates - the hoop on the one gate works well.

In the past we have waited to no purpose to have your promises of help to be honoured.

Can we have reliable answers now please.

If I hear nothing within the week, I shall assume no help will be forthcoming.

Geoff
Dear Mr Dellow
Please see attached letter

Yours sincerely

Tony Naylor


-----Original Message-----
From: Geoff Dellow [mailto:gd@tygh.co.uk]
Sent: 08- Jun- 11 22:48
To: Naylor, Tony; Hodgson,Colin
Subject: Picnic table/ plants

Should you have been planning to supply a picnic table for Mill Dam Park - there now is no need - we made one yesterday from scratch and have a second on the way.

I think that you will agree it is a strong one  and is  heavy so it won't be moved around easily. - A similar design has worked well at Gill Banks with the two that we put there a year ago.

150 new plants also went in  to add to the many hundred already there.

Several hundred arriving this  next Tuesday and the one after all ready to make the park special for Ulverston in Bloom.

We are also tackling the problem of Himalayan Balsam. Now is the best time to remove it and most of it has now been weeded out  from the beck at Gill Banks by us. We plan to finish the job off next week.

Geoff
P1020479.JPG
P1020480.JPG
P1020483.JPG

Good Morning Dr Dellow

Thank you for your email.

The Chief Executive has received your email and will send a reply in
good time.

With kind regards,

Lisa


L Bowes
Corporate Support Officer
South Lakeland District Council
Ext 7340
Direct line 01539 797512

-----Original Message-----
From: Geoff Dellow [mailto:gd@tygh.co.uk]
Sent: 15 June 2011 10:00
To: Conway, Lawrence
Subject: My email yesterday

The office of Mr Lawrence Conway,

Could you please confirm that the above reached the desk of Mr Conway
yesterday and is receiving his attention?

(email contact can be very unreliable)

Alternatively would you prefer communications to be sent by surface mail
?

Sincerely

Dr G. B. Dellow


Address The Coach House, Union Lane, Ulverston Cumbria LA12 7BU




Dear Doctor Dellow

Thank you for your email.

It is always encouraging when local people get involved with their local communities and this is a value held dearly by this Council.

I understand your frustrations on the issue of the picnic table and will seek a response to answer your enquiry fully.

At this time, as Mr Naylors letter clearly states, the Council is responsible for the Public open spaces in its ownership. Mill Dam being such an area.

It is our responsibility to ensure that any provision within this space also conforms with our duty to protect the public.

At this time, there have been no formally identified or constituted resident or management groups that have come forward to enable us to delegate that responsibility to them.

As such, it would be irresponsible of this Council to allow any additions/alterations/changes to the parks provision, that could have an impact on the general publics health and safety, no matter how well meaning.

The letter from Mr Naylor sets this out clearly, and until such a group is formed, that will be our position and one we will actively pursue if necessary.

We are aware of changes that may come forward through the Localism Bill that may assist Communities to take on some of these responsibilities, but I feel this will still be under the guise of a formal and proper constituted local interest group, and would encourage your undoubted enthusiam in this direction.

There are some comments you have made that are your opinions. In a free society such as ours, I acknowledge your absolute right to express them, in return that you acknowledge I might disagree with them. 

Best wishes

Lawrence




-----Original Message-----
From: Geoff Dellow [mailto:gd@tygh.co.uk]
Sent: 14- Jun- 11 13:04
To: Conway, Lawrence
Subject: Promoting co-operation rather than conflict. A serious issue.


Mr Lawrence Coway,

I am writing in the hope that we can return to the co-operation that was in existence in the spring of 2010.

I'm sure that you will acknowledge the importance of parks in bringing communities together.

I have been involved with this park before its inception in about 1984 when the space was left as a pile of rubble by the local authority housing department when they built the adjacent sheltered housing development. This was on land donated to the town by the then Town Mill owners specifically for use as a playground ( and not for housing).

As a result of a sustained campaign at the time we put pressure on the local authority to implement an excellent design of park using the local firm Playdale's Equipment with the participation of their director at the time (http://www.playdale.co.uk/ ).

Since then the park has been much used and valued by the local community drawing people form as far afield as Barrow in Furness. It is recognised as a place for building relationships across a wide area. The presence of the park counters a gradual tendency towards people becoming insular; on the extreme is the behaviour of vandals wreaking havoc on neighbourhoods. We have a very small amount of this in our park done we think byonly  one or two individuals.

You will also agree, I believe, that the more people from a wide variety of backgrounds use and enjoy a public space like this the more this promotes a very positive attitude in the local society particularly at the present time of national unrest.

In this respect, up to this time your officer, Tony Naylor and I enjoyed a very constructive relationship. We checked with him all our activities and obtained his approval.

Since then things have become strained resulting in the email I received on Friday last which is attached and quotes your support.

In the circumstances I find this letter outrageous.

Are you aware that it is a matter of record that SLDC at the meeting I held with Tony Naylor at your offices in Kendal on the 6th January, made a clear promise to supply a picnic table to Mill Dam Park.

Mr Naylor stated that there would be no problem providing such a table . He believed this could be done very quickly as there were enough funds to cover this but in any case this could definitely be done in the new financial year.

Since then no picnic table has appeared and my correspondence regarding the issue has not received a reply.

Are you aware that this small park is very popular with local people , particularly young families who bring food with them to share with their children.

Below is a photograph taken of the park in 2009 showing a table and a bench.

All that remains is this one bench - though there is a second bench this has several slats missing and has remained in a state of disrepair by the SLDC for over two years,  despite requests. (continued below)


_______________________________
Dear Mr Dellow,

As I understand it was removed due to a leg having been broken off and
it was taken to prevent further damage, we didn't have any plans to
repair it that I am aware of as its not an SLDC bench. I am not sure
which depot its in but will find out and get someone to arrange a drop
off with you.

Ms Atkinson has phoned but didn't leave her number so unable to contact
her, I don't think she was too pleased to find an answerphone on my
extension but since we are short staffed I can't be in two places at
once. Its best to talk to the customer services people then an email
gets to me as I can pick them up on the mobile phone.

I will let you know who will be dealing with your enquiry shortly

Yours sincerely,

Tony Naylor



-----Original Message-----
From: Geoff Dellow [mailto:gd@tygh.co.uk]
Sent: 30 September 2011 08:37
To: Naylor, Tony
Subject: Picnic table from Mill Dam Park

Tony,

Thank you for taking this away for repair however:

We are quite capable of taking care of all necessary repairs.

We are greatly missing the use of it in this beautiful weather that we
are having.

The fact that  we have done so much to improve the the park means that
it is becoming a focal point for families from a wide area stretching
from Dalton to Backbarrow. They come here both for their children to
play and to meet each other.

I had assumed that the table would have been returned by now.

Could you please tell me when this table will be returned?

We need it for this weekend if at all possible.

Lots of people are making enquiries about it's whereabouts and I believe
Mrs Atkinson is trying to reach you by phone, asking about the return of
the table.

What shall I tell them?


Geoff
Peter
Please deal with this picnic table problem and let Mr Dellow know when
it can be returned.
Thanks
Tony

-----Original Message-----
From: Geoff Dellow [mailto:gd@tygh.co.uk]
Sent: 28 November 2011 11:16
To: Naylor, Tony
Subject: Picnic table in Mill Dam

Tony Naylor,

Having made a number of failed enquiries as to the whereabouts of the
second picnic table that has now been removed from the park, I am about
to report the matter to the police.

If you know of its whereabouts it will avoid them wasting precious time
investigating.

Perhaps you have information that would be helpful.

Geoff Dellow

Dear Mr Dellow,
I thought this had been dealt with weeks ago including a request to
contact you to arrange the return of the bench.

As you are aware it was removed because it was damaged and is in one of
the depot's in Ulverston. If Peter doesn't make contact with you in the
next few days let me know.

Yours sincerely,
Tony Naylor

-----Original Message-----
From: Geoff Dellow [mailto:gd@tygh.co.uk]
Sent: 28 November 2011 11:16
To: Naylor, Tony
Subject: Picnic table in Mill Dam

Tony Naylor,

Having made a number of failed enquiries as to the whereabouts of the
second picnic table that has now been removed from the park, I am about
to report the matter to the police.

If you know of its whereabouts it will avoid them wasting precious time
investigating.

Perhaps you have information that would be helpful.

Geoff Dellow
Mr Dellow
Tony Naylor has requested that I advise the whereabouts of missing table. In my capacity of playground inspector I have not removed the table and neither have continental landscapes. The table is not our property and therefore we would not remove for repair or other reasons but would report any damage etc to yourself.

Peter Clarke
Recreation Engineer
Mr Dellow
Yes we lost one from lightburn park it was chained to the fence

Peter

----- Original Message -----
From: Geoff Dellow [mailto:gd@tygh.co.uk]
Sent: Thursday, December 01, 2011 01:58 PM
To: Clarke, Peter
Subject: Re: Picnic table

Thanks Peter, for this information.

Then the disappearance is a mystery.

I'll report it to the police.

Who would nick a picnic table?

Have you lost tables from other public places?

Geoff

Geoff
I have a slight problem with some of your requests as Tony is on leave this week & I need his authorisation to purchase materials but I can supply some from my stocks.

1. Can supply timber for bench but not bolts as I do not have any

2. Can & will install new catch for gate

3. Need Tony to authorise the compost

4. Can supply some lengths of 3'' x 1'' tantalised timber for the fence & possibly nails

Please let me know where I can deliver the above on either Thursday or Friday of this week

Peter Clarke
Recreation Engineer
07977 283904


-----Original Message-----
From: Geoff Dellow [mailto:gd@tygh.co.uk]
Sent: 08 May 2012 10:19
To: Clarke, Peter
Cc: Ballantyne, Carl
Subject: Help with Mill Dam Park

Peter,

As the Parks Engineer, can you find time to help us as we continue to work in Mill Dam Park, Ulverston?

As you will know we have spent considerable time and money in improving this park.

We have also been promised help  in the past that has not materialised.

1. First the latter : Tony Naylor promised us that we could have materials to repair the bench on the left that has still only got one seat rung when it should have three. This was two years ago.
We did in fact repair the bench ourselves but the work was dismantled and broken - perhaps though inferior wood being used and the malicious acts of some young people.

We are again going to attempt a repair this next Saturday afternoon and will buy materials if necessary. However wodd supplied by you would I'm sure be more suitable.

2. We have also been struggling to make one of the gates secure for several years now by replacing and making new catches for the gate - these eventually have succumbed to repeated vandalism. You placed a much more successful solution on the other gate : a hoop which has worked well. Could you place the same on the other failing gate?

3. Lastly, a delivery of ten tons of compost was supplied two years ago which has made the world of difference to the growth of plants on what was barren soil. We ourselves have bought considerable amounts of bagged "farmyard manure" about 12 bags costing £40 to encourage growth. Could we have another delivery of ten tons in the near future? This would assist the growth of bedding plants.

4. Lastly we are continuing ongoing contact with Carl Ballantyne the engineer working with SLDC Mill Dam Sheltered Housing Association to determine the possibility of repairing the boundary fencing between the Park and the Sheltered Housing. He is awaiting a decision as to whose responsibility it is. For our part we have recovered all the old fencing that has just been replaced  around the housing. We plan to use this if no one else will do the work on repairing the fence which is in severe need of repair.


Summary

Can you help with:

1. Repair of bench seat

2. Supplying a hoop to secure the second gate.

3. Supply ten tons of compost for soil improvement

4. Enlighten us as to the possibility of the fencing at both the side and the front of the park being repaired.

We are having a working party operate in the park this next Saturday organised by Cathie - see attached

Thanks

Geoff Dellow
Geoff
The 2nd gate catch is now installed

Peter Clarke
Recreation Engineer
07977 283904

-----Original Message-----
From: Geoff Dellow [mailto:gd@tygh.co.uk]
Sent: 10 May 2012 11:51
To: Clarke, Peter
Subject: Sorry to have missed you

I was up in the night.

The wood is brilliant and I've bought bolts.

The bench will be repaired at last with four new planks on Saturday
thanks to you. Not only that it will look as good as new and will give
potential vandals a hard time to break.

We'll put a little plaque on, in your honour.

Perhaps OTTP but it's good to find one of those hard worked SLDC people
doing the best job they can in a dispiriting environment.

Geoff


Good morning Geoff
Would your group be interested in utilising the walled area next to Mill Dam play area.
Perhaps an allotment type space as if not used then I have to place a panel over the access to prevent entry.
If you do use the space then we could place a gate with a lock on the entrance.

Peter

Geoff
The holes in the walls have been passed to our maintenance group who will then arrange repair.

I am of the understanding that 5 tonnes are to be delivered. Tony was organising the compost.

Peter Clarke
Recreation Engineer
07977 283904

From: Geoff Dellow [mailto:gd@tygh.co.uk]
Sent: 29 May 2012 08:04
To: Clarke, Peter
Subject: Holes in the wall separating The Pound and Mill Dam Park

These illustrate the problem !

We still haven't been told how much compost is being delivered on Thursday .

I'm lining up helpers to deal with it.

Roger Brocklebank thought it was seven cubic meters - is this about 5 tonnes ?

It would be 7 if it were water.

Geoff



Geoff
Glad to hear things are happening and volunteers are willing
Peter

From: Geoff Dellow [mailto:gd@tygh.co.uk]
Sent: Thursday, May 31, 2012 01:32 PM
To: Clarke, Peter
Subject: Dealing with 5 tons of compost at Mill Dam this morning

Peter Clarke,

Thanks for organising the deliivery of compost

It arrived a 9:00 and was cleared off the road by 10:30 this morning.

 Eleven helpers were inviolved : Alwyn, Annette, Chris, David, Denis, Geoff,
Jan, Linda, Neil, Ruth and Steve.

Everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves - there were some big grins on people's faces as they left.

Most of the composted is stashed away for the future though we put some it in provisional positions.

A lockable see-though gate on The Pound will be a great addition. In the meantime I'm nailing a board across the entrance to deter others from going in this area while we store half of the compost here and until we smartened this area up.

With the level of enthusiastic support, your delivery has generated, it won't be long before our team of workers will have this in good shape.

We seem to have a head of steam amongst a wide variety of people to use, take care and come up with new projects in this wonderful little park.

Seeing things improving almost by the minute is , as you can imagine, a big contrast with the inaction of the past.

Thanks

Geoff

Hi Geoff
Glad to hear the good news.

Hole in the wall – this is being looked into by another department which maintains council owned property

Geoff – thanks for the offer of repairing the fence to the roadside but we are looking into replacing the wooden fencing with steel bowtop fencing which should last for 40 years or more therefore alleviating future maintenance issues.
The fencing would be galvanised & then it could be powdered coated painted at time of manufacture in a green or brown colour to blend in or if you like we could have it painted blue or red etc.

Fencing alongside housing could be replaced with steel galvanised weldmesh - which is basically 50mm square section fencing on a roll 25m long x 900mm high

I have just returned from holiday so will look at supplying a gate sometime this week

Regards
Peter Clarke
Recreation Engineer
07977 283904

From: Geoff Dellow [mailto:gd@tygh.co.uk]
Sent: 02 July 2012 14:26
To: Clarke, Peter
Subject: Mill Dam Park - progress

Hi Peter,

The use of the park is going very well.

People say they love coming to it from an increasingly wide area stretching from Dalton to Backbarrow. On frequent occasions they talk of the sense of community they find there - which for me is what parks are all about.

The compost is being used well to:

improve the grass on the bank where there used to be a slide ready for us putting another lot of crocuses in the autumn

improve the beds all round and support the perennials and 300 bedding plants we have been given by David Gardner at the plant stall on the market.

The repaired bench is working well.

The new 'loop' catch on the second gate is great and being used.


The future:

The fencing - Thanks for your offer of new fencing however our thoughts are that we will  start to renovate the wood fencing on the street.

This will provide a fairly easy project for people to get involved in (we already have two volunteers) with a lot of satisfaction resulting.

We have a fair bit of wood, cut to size from the fencing removed from the sheltered housing fencing next door.

The fencing on the boundary with the sheltered housing next door is a slightly bigger project and would be done next.


The pound

This is a bigger project and will  to be tackled as we continue  to clear the area of weeds and brambles, section by section.

You mentioned the possibility of a see through lockable wooden gate across the entrance. This makes a lot of sense and would be great when you can fit it in. Meanwhile we have screwed a plywood sheet barrier across this entrance to deter the fly tipping ( and stealing of the compost) that has occurred in the past .

Can I also remind you of the hole in the wall?

Request

You offered wood to repair the fencing with - you give me the impression that you have some you could let us have.

Could we have about 100 metres to match what we have - ie nominal 4 by 1 inch PAR - actual 21mm by 95mm

Do you have any wood that will match the coping pieces along the top - those that we have are very short having been sawn in bits as they were removed. I can supply a working drawing if that helps? I can give you lengths if you have.

You could deliver this to my address below at your convenience and leave outside anytime and we would quickly get it under cover.

Geoff

tel 01229 480347


Address The Coach House, Union Lane, Ulverston Cumbria LA12 7BU


Geoff
This would appear to be an unfortunate accident.
I have checked the details for this seesaw and it has been installed to the manufacturers instructions.

This seesaw is designed for the age range 8 – 14 years.
Maximum height of the seat at full extent can be up to 1500mm high
Ground clearance under the seats is to be greater than 230mm to prevent foot entrapment

Peter Clarke
Recreation Engineer
07977 283904

From: Geoff Dellow [mailto:gd@tygh.co.uk]
Sent: 06 August 2012 15:00
To: Clarke, Peter
Cc: Christine Atkinson
Subject: The Seesaw in Mill Dam Park

Peter,

Have you been made aware of the problems we experience with this Seesaw?

In the past I have heard that some children have received some severe injuries from falling off this equipment, one I believe was a broken collar bone. However I never had first hand evidence.

Last Thursday, 2nd August, a five year old badly injured himself with a fall from the seesaw and was taken to Furness General hospital where it was found that he had broken his arm. His name was Ewan Clarke son of Clare and Simon Clarke of Meadowsweet, Union Lane, Ulverston LA12 7BU, who have approved my passing on this information.

Their email is Simon and Clare Clarke should you wish to find out the exact circumstances of the accident.

All that use the park agree that this equipment is far too high for the children it is intended to serve. They cannot get their feet anywhere near the ground , it is so high. It is really only suitable for adults or children of a height of five feet minimum.

I suggest there is a relatively simple solution and that is to raise the ground level substantially however you are best to judge whether this is easier than reducing the height of the central figure.

Could you put in place plans to rectify the problem which I'm sure you will agree needs a speedy solution?

If the SLDC is short of cash then we would place this work at a higher priority than any other , even the need for improved fencing, previously discussed.

Please let me know your reaction to this information when you have had chance to investigate.

Best wishes

Geoff
 
P1030824.JPG

Geoff
I am not mistaken with my original response.

The seesaw is intended for 8 - 14 year age range.

If parents are putting younger children on the seesaw then that is the responsibility of the parent or guardian.

The seesaw cannot be lowered as it would fail to meet necessary safety requirements.

Peter

From: Geoff Dellow [mailto:gd@tygh.co.uk]
Sent: Wednesday, August 15, 2012 10:17 AM
To: Clarke, Peter
Subject: Re: The Seesaw in Mill Dam Park

Thank you Peter for this information.

I have now consulted many users of the park and they are all agreed on the following points:

1. You are mistaken if you think that the over eight year old children use the seesaw.
In fact 95% percent of the children who use  the equipment in the park are under eight, the majority being under five who come with their parents. People now come from considerable distances to use the park because it is suitable for underage five children. This is because:

a) the park is relatively small with no room for ball games
b) the equipment other than the seesaw is designed and readily used by the under fives. (You will be aware that the swings are those that have a bucket for the very young rather than the more traditional seat.)
c) the provision of picnic tables and the flowering borders attract adults who come to enjoy the beauty of the park with its pottery and flowers. Furthermore it is a great place for parents and grandparents accompanying the children  to socialise:  there being occasionally as many as ten families with their children at one time.
d) on the very rare occasion that  the seesaw is in fact used by eight year olds and above, it is not as a seesaw but as a challenging piece of equipment to try to balance while walking the length from one seat to the other. I suspect that seesaws are not an attractive piece of play equipment with this age group when alternative types of equipment are available.

2. They would be like the height of the seesaw reduced so that is less dangerous when a parent at one end tries to use it with an under five year old whose feet are way above the ground on the other end.

I hope you will be convinced by the above reasoning and will proceed to reduce the height of the seesaw as soon as possible.

As I said before , if the SLDC is short of funds we will tackle a project like the fencing on the front of the park which is well within our capabilities without your assistance ( we have very good ready cut timber taken from the Sheltered Housing fence including quite a lot of very good pitch pine .

Geoff

Note I am copying in the approximately forty families who are part and members of our organisation, The BUGS whose emblem is a lady bird and can be seen all over Ulverston outside the houses of those that participate. Members are welcome to reply to me if they have any comments on the above.

 On 7 Aug 2012, at 12:14, Clarke, Peter wrote:

Geoff
This would appear to be an unfortunate accident.
I have checked the details for this seesaw and it has been installed to the manufacturers instructions.

This seesaw is designed for the age range 8 – 14 years.
Maximum height of the seat at full extent can be up to 1500mm high
Ground clearance under the seats is to be greater than 230mm to prevent foot entrapment

Peter Clarke
Recreation Engineer
07977 283904

From: Geoff Dellow [mailto:gd@tygh.co.uk]
Sent: 06 August 2012 15:00
To: Clarke, Peter
Cc: Christine Atkinson
Subject: The Seesaw in Mill Dam Park

Peter,

Have you been made aware of the problems we experience with this Seesaw?

In the past I have heard that some children have received some severe injuries from falling off this equipment, one I believe was a broken collar bone. However I never had first hand evidence.

Last Thursday, 2nd August, a five year old badly injured himself with a fall from the seesaw and was taken to Furness General hospital where it was found that he had broken his arm. His name was Ewan Clarke son of Clare and Simon Clarke of Meadowsweet, Union Lane, Ulverston LA12 7BU, who have approved my passing on this information.

Their email is Simon and Clare Clarke should you wish to find out the exact circumstances of the accident.

All that use the park agree that this equipment is far too high for the children it is intended to serve. They cannot get their feet anywhere near the ground , it is so high. It is really only suitable for adults or children of a height of five feet minimum.

I suggest there is a relatively simple solution and that is to raise the ground level substantially however you are best to judge whether this is easier than reducing the height of the central figure.

Could you put in place plans to rectify the problem which I'm sure you will agree needs a speedy solution?

If the SLDC is short of cash then we would place this work at a higher priority than any other , even the need for improved fencing, previously discussed.

Please let me know your reaction to this information when you have had chance to investigate.

Best wishes

Geoff




P1030824.JPG
 
 Helen
Only thing sldc can do is to remove the seesaw but we do not have available funds for new equipment.

Before removal we would have to consult with councillors etc

Peter

From: Helen McKeown [mailto:helenmmckeown@btinternet.com]
Sent: Wednesday, August 15, 2012 10:43 AM
To: Geoff Dellow
Cc: Clarke, Peter
Subject: Re: The Seesaw in Mill Dam Park

Hi Geoff,
I would like to add that my 9 year old has difficulty using the see-saw and when I have tried to use it with him, or my daughter who is 6, I can hardly touchy the ground (I'm 5'5"). Also, the park does not really attract the age group 8-14 the main age groups being up to 8 year old as the majority of equipment is aimed at this age group.

Kind regards
Helen McKeown


On 15 Aug 2012, at 10:17, Geoff Dellow wrote:

Thank you Peter for this information.

I have now consulted many users of the park and they are all agreed on the following points:

1. You are mistaken if you think that the over eight year old children use the seesaw.
In fact 95% percent of the children who use  the equipment in the park are under eight, the majority being under five who come with their parents. People now come from considerable distances to use the park because it is suitable for underage five children. This is because:

a) the park is relatively small with no room for ball games
b) the equipment other than the seesaw is designed and readily used by the under fives. (You will be aware that the swings are those that have a bucket for the very young rather than the more traditional seat.)
c) the provision of picnic tables and the flowering borders attract adults who come to enjoy the beauty of the park with its pottery and flowers. Furthermore it is a great place for parents and grandparents accompanying the children  to socialise:  there being occasionally as many as ten families with their children at one time.
d) on the very rare occasion that  the seesaw is in fact used by eight year olds and above, it is not as a seesaw but as a challenging piece of equipment to try to balance while walking the length from one seat to the other. I suspect that seesaws are not an attractive piece of play equipment with this age group when alternative types of equipment are available.

2. They would be like the height of the seesaw reduced so that is less dangerous when a parent at one end tries to use it with an under five year old whose feet are way above the ground on the other end.

I hope you will be convinced by the above reasoning and will proceed to reduce the height of the seesaw as soon as possible.

As I said before , if the SLDC is short of funds we will tackle a project like the fencing on the front of the park which is well within our capabilities without your assistance ( we have very good ready cut timber taken from the Sheltered Housing fence including quite a lot of very good pitch pine .

Geoff

Note I am copying in the approximately forty families who are part and members of our organisation, The BUGS whose emblem is a lady bird and can be seen all over Ulverston outside the houses of those that participate. Members are welcome to reply to me if they have any comments on the above.

 On 7 Aug 2012, at 12:14, Clarke, Peter wrote:

Geoff
This would appear to be an unfortunate accident.
I have checked the details for this seesaw and it has been installed to the manufacturers instructions.

This seesaw is designed for the age range 8 – 14 years.
Maximum height of the seat at full extent can be up to 1500mm high
Ground clearance under the seats is to be greater than 230mm to prevent foot entrapment

Peter Clarke
Recreation Engineer
07977 283904

From: Geoff Dellow [mailto:gd@tygh.co.uk]
Sent: 06 August 2012 15:00
To: Clarke, Peter
Cc: Christine Atkinson
Subject: The Seesaw in Mill Dam Park

Peter,

Have you been made aware of the problems we experience with this Seesaw?

In the past I have heard that some children have received some severe injuries from falling off this equipment, one I believe was a broken collar bone. However I never had first hand evidence.

Last Thursday, 2nd August, a five year old badly injured himself with a fall from the seesaw and was taken to Furness General hospital where it was found that he had broken his arm. His name was Ewan Clarke son of Clare and Simon Clarke of Meadowsweet, Union Lane, Ulverston LA12 7BU, who have approved my passing on this information.

Their email is Simon and Clare Clarke should you wish to find out the exact circumstances of the accident.

All that use the park agree that this equipment is far too high for the children it is intended to serve. They cannot get their feet anywhere near the ground , it is so high. It is really only suitable for adults or children of a height of five feet minimum.

I suggest there is a relatively simple solution and that is to raise the ground level substantially however you are best to judge whether this is easier than reducing the height of the central figure.

Could you put in place plans to rectify the problem which I'm sure you will agree needs a speedy solution?

If the SLDC is short of cash then we would place this work at a higher priority than any other , even the need for improved fencing, previously discussed.

Please let me know your reaction to this information when you have had chance to investigate.

Best wishesGeoff
We are not putting woodchips or bark down as this compacts and would continually require replenishing.
I am looking into the option of soil and turf.

Peter

----- Original Message -----
From: Geoff Dellow [mailto:gd@tygh.co.uk]
Sent: Friday, August 17, 2012 06:33 AM
To: Clarke, Peter
Subject: Bark Chippings

Would this stuff be suitable for the park?

http://www.turfandstuff.com/product/315/3/play_grade_new_woodchip_2_5_m_sup3_br_i_font_color_red_10_off_i_font/cae08051e9500fc93ed40d7747160238

Geoff
Geoff
I am definitely thinking soil & grass but I am waiting until children
have gone back to school.

I have contractors arranged to carry out soil & turf improvements at
various locations throughout the district & this site has been added to
their list so bear with me & the site will be altered during September.

Peter Clarke
Recreation Engineer
07977 283904

-----Original Message-----
From: Geoff Dellow [mailto:gd@tygh.co.uk]
Sent: 23 August 2012 04:20
To: Clarke, Peter
Subject: Seesaw

Peter,

What's your present thinking ?

You recommend the use of soil and grass.

How about if we:

Remove the rubber 'matting' and grass.

Use  the soil off the adjacent mound which serves little purpose and

On reflection this is going backwards - so it would be better to
barrowload soil in.

put the matting and grass back.

Otherwise we use Bark Chippings and keep topping up with them.

Do you want to look the other way while we just do it?

What help can you realistically offer?

Your advice is invaluable though.

Geoff

Good Morning Geoff
Please see the message from NPS the council maintenance group.
Please advise if you wish to keep the ornaments and if so when could they be removed?

Thanks
Peter

From: Naylor, Tony
Sent: Monday, December 03, 2012 10:07 AM
To: Clarke, Peter
Subject: FW: Mill Dam/Pound Playground

Peter
Can you contact Mr Dellow?
Thanks
Tony

From: Mason, Andrew [mailto:Andrew.Mason@nps.co.uk]
Sent: 30 November 2012 16:44
To: Naylor, Tony
Subject: Mill Dam/Pound Playground

Tony
Do you know anything about the pot/clay ornaments fixed to the fence along the side of Pound Playground/Mill Dam (see attached pic)? We are looking to renew the fence so they would need removing if they are to be retained (and presumably re-fixed on completion).
Cheers
Andrew

Geoff
Finally got the job done.

On another matter –
The soil in the compound which was to be used for flower beds.
We are intending to utilise this to raise the level of the ground under the seesaw as funds are tight until April we have no other means of progressing the seesaw problem at the moment.

Peter Clarke
Recreation Engineer
07977 283904

From: Geoff Dellow [mailto:gd@tygh.co.uk]
Sent: 07 January 2013 10:04
To: Clarke, Peter
Subject: Mill Dam Park

Thanks Peter, for two great stretches of fencing. Paul Bennett did a great job.

See http://youtu.be/1tZ1b3gQEqo

Geoff

Geoff
Soil for seesaw –  we have no funds until April when new budgets are available so that particular task will have to wait a little bit longer I’m afraid but as you point out the seesaw will not be used much until then.

Regarding constituted group – I have forwarded this to Tony Naylor for his response as I cannot make those decisions in my position.

Peter Clarke
Recreation Engineer
07977 283904

From: Geoff Dellow [mailto:gd@tygh.co.uk]
Sent: 07 January 2013 15:18
To: Clarke, Peter
Subject: Re: Mill Dam Park

See below please:
On 7 Jan 2013, at 10:22, Clarke, Peter wrote:


Geoff
Finally got the job done.

Yes and a great solution - thanks. Our next event will be having a get together of parents and children to put the pottery back up. We've already put some sweet pea plants in, right up next to the new fence!


On another matter –
The soil in the compound which was to be used for flower beds.
We are intending to utilise this to raise the level of the ground under the seesaw as funds are tight until April we have no other means of progressing the seesaw problem at the moment.

Please can we hang on to the compost as it took a lot of effort to get it where it is. I'm not sure we could get the help to shift compost again for a while in the present lack of enthusiasm for helping: people seem to be drawing their horns in - which is why the fence will be such a boost.  We're using the compost steadily , bit by bit, all over the park: it's a great resource. I'm hoping that it will be the basis for taming the pound area which is a valuable asset doing nothing at present.

We'd be happy waiting till after April if we could keep the compost - after all the See Saw won't get used much before then - and people have got used to coping with it as it now is.

However, are you really saying that you are even doubtful of funding in April for soil for the See Saw ? You appear to have access to the labour for the project.

Incidentally we understand that communication with SLDC will be greatly helped if we become a constituted group. Do you agree?


Geoff

Peter Clarke
Recreation Engineer


From: Geoff Dellow [mailto:gd@tygh.co.uk]
Sent: 07 January 2013 10:04
To: Clarke, Peter
Subject: Mill Dam Park

Thanks Peter, for two great stretches of fencing. Paul Bennett did a great job.

See http://youtu.be/1tZ1b3gQEqo

Geoff

_________________
Geoff
Did you receive the message regarding picnic table which requires bolts re securing

Peter

----- Original Message -----
From: Geoff Dellow [mailto:gd@tygh.co.uk]
Sent: Tuesday, January 29, 2013 05:31 PM
Subject: Mill Dam Park

Work continues on the park.

Now that we have the new fence we have planted our first lot of sweet peas snuggling up against it, the first lot from our green house. The rest - 70 of them - are gaining a head start under the shelter of the green house.

We're aiming to achieve a dazzling display on and above this new fence .

The bulbs we put in during the autumn are looking good now.

The perennials that Jan gave us during the autumn should be starting to poke their heads above ground.

We've given them a dusting of fish and bone meal to get them going!

If you 'd like to get involved in this rewarding activity let me know. We try to work there every Sunday at 10 till 11am

The next job is to put the pottery back up on our new fence.

Geoff

Geoff
I thought our last discussion was that users had understood that the seesaw is correctly installed.
But if you still require ground underneath raising then I will see what can be done.
Might not happen until late june or early july as we are busy with other projects well into june at the moment

Peter

----- Original Message -----
From: Geoff Dellow [mailto:gd@tygh.co.uk]
Sent: Friday, May 03, 2013 07:36 AM
To: Clarke, Peter
Subject: Seesaw in Mill Dam

Hi Peter,

You mentioned that you'd be able to fund the raising of the ground around the seesaw (so as the reduce it's height above the ground) in May.

Is that still on track?

Geoff
Geoff
I am afraid that the ground under the seesaw will not be raised until perhaps August or September due to other ongoing works and holidays but it will happen

Peter Clarke
Recreation Engineer
South Lakeland dc
07977 283904

-----Original Message-----
From: Geoff Dellow [mailto:gd@tygh.co.uk]
Sent: 05 June 2013 09:48
To: Clarke, Peter
Subject: Work in Mill Dam Park

Hi Peter,

What glorious weather we are having.

We have repaired the picnic table that was damaged and put it back in the park.

We plan an activity day this Sunday when we will put the pottery back on the fence and plant new bedding plants in. The sweet peas are doing well.

What is the status of raising the ground level under the Seesaw ?

Geoff
Geoff
It is fine with me if you wish to trim the timber

Thanks
Peter

From: Geoff Dellow [mailto:gd@tygh.co.uk]
Sent: Monday, June 10, 2013 06:14 AM
To: Clarke, Peter
Subject: The gate is jamming open.

The new fence is wedging the gate open so that the gate can't close. This could easily be fixed by trimming a bit of wood off -

Shall I do this for you?

Geoff

Geoff
I'm not aware of this funding being available but will check with the planning officers.
Tony

-----Original Message-----
From: Geoff Dellow [mailto:gd@tygh.co.uk]
Sent: 03 May 2013 07:45
To: Naylor, Tony
Cc: Clarke, Peter
Subject: £8,000 from Persimmons for Mill Dam Park

Tony,

The contract states that you will be getting the above as soon as they start actually building houses on the Union Lane site.

How are you planning to spend this money?

Can we give you are thoughts?

Geoff

Geoff
I'll go and talk to Kate about it she's only upstairs

Tony

-----Original Message-----
From: Geoff Dellow [mailto:gd@tygh.co.uk]
Sent: 03 May 2013 21:39
To: Naylor, Tony
Subject: Re: £8,000 from Persimmons for Mill Dam Park

It was a condition of the planning permission for the Union Lane site for 27 houses. It is Persimmons contribution to the provision for a playground for the children to be living on the site.

I can send you the contract if you wish - though the version we have - scanned by Kate Lawson - sadly is up side down - though reversible at each viewing!

What can you buy for £8,000?

Geoff
On 3 May 2013, at 13:14, Naylor, Tony wrote:

Geoff
I'm not aware of this funding being available but will check with the planning officers.
Tony

-----Original Message-----
From: Geoff Dellow [mailto:gd@tygh.co.uk]
Sent: 03 May 2013 07:45
To: Naylor, Tony
Cc: Clarke, Peter
Subject: £8,000 from Persimmons for Mill Dam Park

Tony,

The contract states that you will be getting the above as soon as they start actually building houses on the Union Lane site.

How are you planning to spend this money?

Can we give you are thoughts?

Geoff