Bancroft Gardens

[Lex]

How's the work going on the gardens going? All the tress have been ripped up, but has any other work started? (Thought I'd start a new thread for this, as the 'Why is World Class Stratford Such a Dump' thread seems to have moved on from this subject!)

[Will]

It's mainly just mud-piles and walls that have been knocked down to let the heavy machinery in at the moment. They've also decided it would be really tasteful to erect a very large fair wheel on the opposite bank of the river this summer. Which won't be tacky in the slightest.

[Mari]

Originally Posted by Will

It's mainly just mud-piles and walls that have been knocked down to let the heavy machinery in at the moment. They've also decided it would be really tasteful to erect a very large fair wheel on the opposite bank of the river this summer. Which won't be tacky in the slightest.

Apparently they propose to have the lime trees all planted etc. during April, before Shakespeare's birthday celebrations . How convenient for visitors ' I have my doubts.
I hate the idea of a tacky fair wheel on the other side of the river bank.

So, I am going to thcream and thcream and thcream , and stomp my feet !

.

[Will]

Yes, residents are increasingly worried they're going to be living in 'Shakespearland' before long. Personally, I'm just looking to move to another town now, one that has more ambition than turning Stratford into one big Theme park and housing estate.

[Mari]

Originally Posted by Will

Yes, residents are increasingly worried they're going to be living in 'Shakespearland' before long. Personally, I'm just looking to move to another town now, one that has more ambition than turning Stratford into one big Theme park and housing estate.

Very sadly, we think Stratford has now lurched downwards into some abyss.
One feels sorry for the residents living there. It has truly been ruined.
The reputation of the Council amongst other things has almost literally disintegrated overnight.
Once the word gets out and visitors from overseas who will surely be visiting over the next few months get back home , you will see a whirlwind of disapproval. Let's remember these visitors have paid good money to come to Stratford, basically now to see it ruined. The economic consequences will be felt.

It would be a great shame to see the Shakespeare industry to become like a tacky disneyland.

I'ts a cause of uneasiness to the soul.
.

[optrex]

I dont live in Stratford, but the theme of the thread rings so true with many of the aspects of this country.

[Lex]

I hope the Bancroft Gardens will eventually turn out to be as enjoyable a place as they used to be (apart from last summer, when a tacky carousel appeared, ruining the atmosphere somewhat).
Not only have Stratfordians been complaining about the decline for several years; but increasing numbers of letters have been appearing in the local press from disappointed visitors who will never return to Stratford.
But then, it may not be wholly Stratford's fault, as tourism numbers have been shaky all accross the UK for some years now.

[Dexter]

I too will not be afraid to say in a few years time I was wrong and its a fantastic improvement, except at the moment I don't think it will be and it will go down in Stratford history as one of the great acts of vandalism and destruction to its beauty.

I appreciate what you say about the decline in numbers but as the Bancroft was always like an ant hill, it was hardly the Bancroft as was, that meant Stratfords tourism was declining.

There are other major problems that stop people coming to Stratford that are not even being addressed by "World Class Stratford" namely the poor quality of the shopping centres, the horrendous road network and in my opinion the outmoded quality of the actual official Shakespeare properties. Peoples expectations are much more now than years ago and quite frankly looking around a load of musty old houses is not what people want..They need to be brought to life like at Warwick Castle.

[Lex]

I've returned to Stratford & the damage isn't as bad as I thought. A lot of the old trees are still there at least. Ok, so there's probably still going to be piles of dirt there during the peak tourist season, but that's not the fault of the contractors. I just hope it turns out to be just as nice a place when it's done.

[Shizara]

... we can only hope ...