The Cage

I came home from work the other day to find that I had acquired a cage as a near neighbour. There has been a children's playground at the end of the street for many years. It wasn't much to look at - four tatty swings, a small roundabout, a slide and a few rocking things on springs. But it gave the kids a good place to charge around and let off steam, and the older lads played football there (using the swings as goalposts!) And from my point of view I like the open vista towards Salts Mill.

Bradford Council has apparently put £3 million from the sale of Leeds-Bradford Airport into a Community Investment Fund, and councillors are deciding how to spend this money to benefit local communities. Our local (Green Party) councillors have earmarked about £20,000.00 for a total renovation of the playground. I received a consultative leaflet through my letterbox some time ago. The plan is to provide some seating, landscaping and better play equipment, and to separate off an area for ball games, away from the play area for little children. If they can fit all that in, it should look rather more attractive, whilst still providing the kids with a much-needed play space.

So, although it looks awful right now (especially on a dull day against a grey sky) the mess and temporary disruption will, I hope, be worthwhile.