Post by Deleted on Jan 5, 2009 21:33:11 GMT
Quite a concerning article in today's Herald Express about the future of....er....Barton Downs.
Apparently there's been a recent meeting to discuss what might happen "should Barton Downs be disposed of" and Steve Darling, of the Lib Dems, puts his case by mentioning the reasons why "the genie was let out of the bottle for Barton Downs". Deputy Mayor Kevin Carroll, of the ruling Tory group, goes on to warn "we have a feasibility study out on Barton Downs".
Naturally I'm rather alarmed by some of this talk. But I'm re-assured that the Friends of Barton Downs, an admirable organisation in my estimation, is making a stand and I'm sure Jimmy Parker of the Herald, a true Barton boy, will do all he can.
Meanwhile I'm willing to act as an intermediary between Torquay United, Torbay Council and any other interested party in developing Barton Downs as a new community stadium for Torquay United. Alex and Colin - as I'm sure they won't mind me calling them - just have to give me a shout and I'll rush up to Plainmoor to offer my 110% commitment to the project.
To whet your appetite, here's a view of the site:
You'll see there is plenty of room for a 3,654 capacity stadium which should easily meet our needs. Parking might be an issue so my proposal would be to concrete over the entire site and fill in the old Lummaton quarry to its rim. Access is another current difficulty but a dual carriageway from Lummaton Cross, along Happaway Road, Beechfield Avenue and through the Willows, to Newton Road would solve the problem. No doubt there would be a few NIMBYs from the Willows so we'll forcefully use moral blackmail on them. It's their club, after all!
We'd need to develop hospitality and corporate facilities but I'm sure that, on really big match days, the Prince of Orange will be able to bring in extra staff. Also, of course, the 13th century thatched Royal Standard (Egon Ronay, Michelin, Les Routiers) in Hele Village will extend its customary warm-welcome to visiting supporters (as well as any other visitor from beyond the far end of Pendennis Road).
Forget going "down the Valley". Once we're back in the Football League we'll all be going "up the Downs" to watch our football.
And if it's good enough for the Long John Silver Impersonators v Bournemouth Gynaecologists (please ignore the preceding rival claims of Torre Valley North) - - it's good enough for Torquay United!
Apparently there's been a recent meeting to discuss what might happen "should Barton Downs be disposed of" and Steve Darling, of the Lib Dems, puts his case by mentioning the reasons why "the genie was let out of the bottle for Barton Downs". Deputy Mayor Kevin Carroll, of the ruling Tory group, goes on to warn "we have a feasibility study out on Barton Downs".
Naturally I'm rather alarmed by some of this talk. But I'm re-assured that the Friends of Barton Downs, an admirable organisation in my estimation, is making a stand and I'm sure Jimmy Parker of the Herald, a true Barton boy, will do all he can.
Meanwhile I'm willing to act as an intermediary between Torquay United, Torbay Council and any other interested party in developing Barton Downs as a new community stadium for Torquay United. Alex and Colin - as I'm sure they won't mind me calling them - just have to give me a shout and I'll rush up to Plainmoor to offer my 110% commitment to the project.
To whet your appetite, here's a view of the site:
You'll see there is plenty of room for a 3,654 capacity stadium which should easily meet our needs. Parking might be an issue so my proposal would be to concrete over the entire site and fill in the old Lummaton quarry to its rim. Access is another current difficulty but a dual carriageway from Lummaton Cross, along Happaway Road, Beechfield Avenue and through the Willows, to Newton Road would solve the problem. No doubt there would be a few NIMBYs from the Willows so we'll forcefully use moral blackmail on them. It's their club, after all!
We'd need to develop hospitality and corporate facilities but I'm sure that, on really big match days, the Prince of Orange will be able to bring in extra staff. Also, of course, the 13th century thatched Royal Standard (Egon Ronay, Michelin, Les Routiers) in Hele Village will extend its customary warm-welcome to visiting supporters (as well as any other visitor from beyond the far end of Pendennis Road).
Forget going "down the Valley". Once we're back in the Football League we'll all be going "up the Downs" to watch our football.
And if it's good enough for the Long John Silver Impersonators v Bournemouth Gynaecologists (please ignore the preceding rival claims of Torre Valley North) - - it's good enough for Torquay United!
I'm not advocating designated sports land being built on for one moment, but I must say that both playing and reffing I found Barton Downs (the playing field) to be one of the most miserable and dog shit poor facilities it has ever been my misfortune to use.
