A slow death for Mere
newsdesk@jpress.co.uk @TheScarboroNews had occasion to take my three grandkids to visit the Mere, not having been there for a good many years, it seemed like a really good idea being as the weather was really nice. What a shock! I realise the council is trying to flog it, but nothing prepared me for what we saw when we arrived.
I could have wept as I recalled my younger days, when rowing boats and other craft were a regular daily must for anyone visiting the place, plus of course there was Treasure Island to visit aboard the Hispaniola.
My grief was further compounded, when Jess, the eldest of the children, turned to me and asked what all the green cotton wool was doing in the water? She was referring to the algae growth which was prevalent all over the water. It was a real shame the children couldn’t have seen it in its prime state instead of in its present state, run down and dilapidated. I felt guilty at what had happened to it, as well as angry!
Angry because the Mere, which was once a firm favourite with holidaymakers and a nice little earner for the town too, had now, because no-one at the council has either the foresight nor the guts to lend it a helping hand by shelling a few quid out on it, been resigned to a slow, painful and quite unjustified death.
The council’s priorities these days now lay elsewhere of course.
Priorities such as the arty farty Open Air Theatre, along with all the rest of the stunningly rubbish paraphernalia they deem to be more important than this neglected, though once beautiful backwater.
Out of sight is out of mind with this council, they see the alienation of the modern day ‘day tripper’ as a priority.
Where once the council’s various outside facilities such as the Mere, sufficed to entertain the visitors who came to the town again and again each summer, now extortionate car parking charges serve to keep them away.
Alas, it would appear that quick easy gain, is now more important than long-term commitment. Commitment such as the restoration and upkeep of places like the Mere. Scarborough does not end at the Spa bridge or the Corner Complex as many councillors believe, there is a world of Scarborough out there folks, I suggest you find it!
Shame on you councillors, you harbingers of anything other than common sense or compassion.
Better men than you have strode those same corridors of power.