Cast Iron Policy

The grounds were presented to The Town by Thomas Robins Bolitho and set out by the Town Council, formally opened by Mayoress Mrs J Vivian Thomas 17th July 1903. The public conveniences were built at that time; it is something to reflect upon that the only thing that remains of the original grounds is the stone shelter at the west corner and the public conveniences. Everything else has been ripped out by 'progress'. The later Pavilion, of course, remains in a somewhat transformed ghost of itself.

Doesn't that just look spectacular? Yet another reason why I think the word 'progress' should be given a new definition/meaning in the English dictionary - and by that I am suggesting a negative meaning, not its existing positive one.

I feel quite bitter about all this talk of regeneration - it is their own policies over previous years that have strangled the life and soul out of Penzance and Newlyn. I have visited so many other places of heritage, where the place has been treasured.

I must confess that as I walked around Penzance this afternoon I questioned the very same values. The tarmac addition at the corner of Lesckinnick Street and the Longboat is a quallity of craftsmenship bettered by any child with a bucket and spade on any local beach. Raised paving slabs adorn most of our pavements and walkways that when wet as they were today have a covering of green algae to test those who maybe a little uncertain underfoot. The arcade steps could only be described as dangerous to pedestrians today. Then again, what should I expect when the majority of council tax I have paid in the past goes on the expenses of those who are either incompetent or do not care and now goes to feed the ego's of Truro and the like.

In 458 B.C. the Roman General Lucius Quinctius Cincinnatus was asked by the Senate on take on the role of dictator as he was deemed the best man to solve the threat to Rome posed by tribes in the East. He took on this responsibility and duty and did indeed solve the problem. Having done so, the opportunity for wealth, power and glory and all the associated trappings lay at his feet. Did he take them? No, he gave up the power of dictator and went back to work on his farm. This is the calibre of person we need in Government or Councils today, the sort of people who will get things done without thought of how the power or position they hold will benefit themselves. I speculate here, but I imagine issues such as dodgy paving, slippery steps, broken pipes and other such things are not high on the agenda in Council meetings. Too busy talking about their latest ideas for hair-brained regeneration schemes, no doubt.

Go back, not too far, in this Town's history and we find great thinkers, great benefactors, fine businessmen, real employers, philanthropists, who all left a wonderful heritage. All we have now is a bunch of incompetent bureaucrats, adopting Orwellian New Speak phrases, in half hearted creation of a semi-Utopian misdirected Nanny State.