Tank group rolls into action to support parents opposing city park closure
PROTESTING parents have found some unlikely allies in the battle to save a city park.
As revealed in last Saturday's Echo, a row has broken out over the City Of Lincoln Council's decision to sell Wickham Gardens, where a group of mothers take their toddlers to play almost every day.
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Connie Lidgett, right, joined by friends from Bailgate Preschool and families opposed to the closure of Wickham Gardens play area.
But now the mums – campaigning under the name Swings (Save Wickham gardens, Infants Need Green Spaces) – are being backed by the Friends Of The Lincoln Tank.
Group chairman Richard Pullen, an archaeologist and historian, said he and fellow members believed the area was "an important and irreplaceable part of our heritage".
He said: "This area is a microcosm of Lincoln itself, covering the entire city's history, from the Roman to the medieval and even the creation of the tanks in the town.
"And there is the main reason Friends Of The Lincoln Tank are involved with this campaign.
"In 1919, Lincoln was presented with a Mark I tank in recognition of Lincoln's part in inventing the tank and as a reward for the money given by the townsfolk in aid of the war effort. This was displayed in Wickham Gardens until the mid-1930s, when it was unfortunately sold for scrap.
"If the gardens are closed, Lincoln will be much the poorer for it."
The decision to sell the land, which costs £3,270 a year to maintain, was made last year after investment in a nearby play area at the Lawn.
Carolyn Wheater, head of corporate support services at the City Of Lincoln Council, said: "Before the decision was made to dispose of the land, an archaeological survey was conducted and we took advice from English Heritage.
"We are aware of the Roman wall at the back of the site and of some burial remains. Any development would have strict guidelines about building.
"It is believed the presentation tank was placed at the front of the water tower. There has not been any suggestion the tank was located on the site that is being disposed of, which is to the rear of the water tower."
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by Dave, Uphill
Friday, September 10 2010, 7:34PM
“By the way George, Boultham. You live in Boultham. Where they have a lovely, great big park with trees, a lake and a bandstand (it used to have a putting green too, might still have). You also have the park at the end of Bristol drive. Quite why you feel the need to have your say here is beyond me.”
by Dave, Uphill, Lincoln
Friday, September 10 2010, 7:28PM
“I think some people are kind of missing the point here. Wickham Gardens was donated to the City of Lincoln by the late Cannon Wickham, former Dean of Lincoln Cathedral, for local residents and not so the council could sell it off to a developer. The gardens ARE used by local residents (my children included) and will continue be used as long as it remains possible.
We have watched the playground equipment become unexplainably deemed as "unsafe", although quite how a solid timber climbing frame that was no more than 5 years old be unsafe is a mystery. We have also watched the remaining equipment slowly disapear over the months, and trees cut down (previously with no explanation).
My children often prefer Wickham Gardens to the Lawn as the lawn can sometimes attract the kind of people that shouldnt BE at a childrens play area complete with alcohol, at best. I know that this kind of thing can and happen at any public area but we find that Wickham Gardens to be less of a target for whatever reason and so, understandably, the children often prefer it.
I agree that the front should be opened up too. I think the land has a lot of potential and could be made quite beautiful given a little though.
I also agree that the school could make good use of the land. They do already have a descent sized green area in the grounds as my son attends, but yes, a little more would probably help them. Unfortunately, when they had the money, the council said "NO". However, my original point still remains. This land was donated for use by local residents. Not schools, not flats.”
by Steve, Lincoln
Friday, July 30 2010, 9:03PM
“Trouble Maker, Home, not only is Wickham Gardens a valuable green space for those that use it, there was also a perfectly good public swimming pool in the area that was closed and sold off for housing too.”
by Julian, Still Slovenia
Friday, July 30 2010, 4:40AM
“Isn't the best way to shorten a war to not have one in the first place?
Encouraging little kids to play on a tank will obviously help. Every playground should have one.
Seems to me that everything done in a war shortens it.
Only doing nothing in a war would make it go on for ever.
It must be all the improvements in the safety of weapons that causes wars that need to go on continuously these days.
Tanks with electronic granny detectors are having to go around, probably.
Tanks are so safe these days you could probably drive one around the Christmas Market.
So lets hear it: how many lives have been saved by the invention of the tank, then?
Please let us have a giant LED screen on the water tower for that one.
Meanwhile some rumbling, crushing history of my own here, about this other chemical attack.
It also seems to be a success at shortening things, particularly things with a thyroid gland. I'm rather take my chances against their tank than the ones at Elkesley, Newton-on-Trent, Washingborough and Welton. Among others.”
by Ted, Lincoln
Thursday, July 29 2010, 10:46PM
“Surely we are getting away from the point that Lincoln Council seem to think they can stomp all over everyone and do as they please.”