leyton.org

I’m delighted to hear, and fully intend to support, the creation of a new ‘Friends of Pollok Park’ group that will be launching after the Save Pollok Park meeting (Tuesday 28th October at 7.30pm, at Pollokshaws Burgh Hall, opposite Pollok Park). Members of Kelvingrove Park’s Friends Group will be along to explain how they operate. A constructive supporters group should be a great asset to the park. I’ve myself put forward one or two ideas as to how the park could be improved, without recourse to commercially focused development, and hope they’ll be considered at the public meeting next week.

The Save Pollok Park meeting that precedes it should be interesting too, as it’ll be covering the legal arguments as to why the Go Ape lease can’t be granted, and updating supporters as to progress and strategies. Hopefully a constructive series of discussions. 

There’s a petition still open for supporters to sign. It closes next Tuesday, so be sure to get your name down on it before it’s presented to the council.

News came through late yesterday that Scottish ministers weren’t going to call in the Go Ape proposal, handing it back to the inept at Glasgow council.

I suppose the indecision was writ large in the various delays in coming down off the fence. Once was understandable. Twice just silly. It was turning into a farce, but one with a painfully inevitable punchline.

A newsletter to campaigners last night from savepollokpark.com shows the fight is continuing. There’s a sound legal challenge underway, the opposition of the NTS and maxwell family, and a number of significant issues the council has to see resolved before trees get cut down and rich businessmen start swinging from the trees of Pollok park.