I HAVE lived here now for four months and am really started to love this place. But I have a problem. When I take my son, who is 18-months-old, out, there is a lack of stimulating play areas for him in the centre of town. Paradise park play area is old an

I HAVE lived here now for four months and am really started to love this place. But I have a problem. When I take my son, who is 18-months-old, out, there is a lack of stimulating play areas for him in the centre of town. Paradise park play area is old and tired and limited for toddlers. Jubilee Park is beautiful but the play area is very limited for growth and exploration. My son wants to come out of there after only 10 minutes or so. As for Priory Park play area, what a waste of an opportunity that area is. Again it is very minimal in what it offers children.

Why can't we have a wonderful stimulating play area behind the cathedral or some where else central? An area of real challenge, imagination and stimulation for children of all ages. Let's have ropes, tunnels under things, bridges, sand and masses of stimulation and imagination for children. It should be possible to create something really big and special for children. It should be possible to create something really big and special for children where they can pass time and make their connections with other children. It could be something really special that blends with the wonderful history we are surrounded by. Why not behind the cathedral? I love the cathedral, it's magnificent but lets not let traditions prevent us from evolving. It could all be done in neutral sandy wooden colours and materials so it would blend in with the cathedral beautifully. At the moment that grass area is used for a shortcut only. What a waste. Come on Ely, wake up! I recently read an article that Britain desperately needs God? Well I'm sure he wants his children to be free, creative, stimulated and challenged by a fabulous play area right in his back yard. I don't want to change a wonderful area that disrespects our history and heritage. I want to add to it, build on it. The cost? Well money seems to be the obstacle to everything these days. What a shame. There must be someone out there who wants to create such a place for children. Oh yeah, the only other price we will have to pay. More love, more happiness, more fulfilment, more joy, more creativity. More fun! Children reaching their fullest potentials. Surely this world desperately needs more of that. Let's not let rules, mental programming and imagination prevent us from becoming all we can be.

Traditions are wonderful and necessary values to love by. But at our peril must let it stand in the way of Evolution.

JO STURGEON

Angle Common

Soham