A countryside gem in middle of Hayes Town

THIS dreaded Covid has kept so many people at home but there is just so much four-wall lockdown that we can be expected to take.

I need to take exercise to stay fit and healthy but I am a townie and until recently felt cut off from the countryside.

During my daily exercise walks around Hayes Town I have noticed that nearly everyone has spring flowers in their gardens already.

There are snowdrops, daffodils, crocuses and even hyacinths in abundance.

Where my wife and I live there are many groups of wild parrakeets flying around, robins, sparrows and wrens as well as seagulls and pigeons, also red kites that hunt in pairs although you only see one.

We have a manmade country walk called, “Hither Broom Park”, which is a 300 yard walk through trees and across three or four wooden hump back bridges over a winding narrow stream. It sounds lovely and it is.

We also have a large parkland area with a stream running through it complete with a variety of ducks and assorted wildlife, several winding country foot paths in and out of wild, but controlled flora and fauna.

In the centre of all of this is a twomile cycle exercise/racetrack with hills and bends to make it competitive.

This is very popular on weekends whether you race, ride, walk or relax.

There are also picnic areas, a children’s play area with swings, a slide and roundabout and a long cable glide that you strap a hang ride on.

There’s also an outdoor gym with exercise and body building heavy duty equipment which is suitable for both fit and disabled persons. All of this, less than two miles from the hustle and bustle of Britain’s busiest airport: Heathrow.

For a townie like me, this is totally unexpected and I for one am very grateful to Hillingdon Council for creating and attending this totally free to use countryside gem in the middle of a busy Hayes Town. Dougie Parke

Hayes