Yesterday I took up an invitation to to attend a "breakfast" arranged by Fathers in Thanet, a "dads group" that meets every second Saturday at the Six Bells Centre (run by KCC). While I was there I was able to talk with some of the dads there about issues that they felt were most pressing.

After I had explained "what's a blog?" by likening it to an online newspaper a number of issues were brought up.

1. That it is impossible to take a pushchair out and about with getting the wheels covered in dog poo. It was also mentioned by a number that things were made more difficult because the paths are often too narrow. Dads would like to see some councillors spending a day pushing a pushchair around Margate.

2. That Dane Park is a disgrace. I was told that not only do the lights not work but that the council ripped up the "old" swings but they have not even put in the "new" ones. Apparently the whole operation makes a mockery of the "I Love Dane Park" consultation of last summer. I went to investigate.

While there is little I can do to raise council awareness of the amount of dog crap on our streets I figured that I could do a good job of investigating the state of Dane Park. So that afternoon the wife and I too the kids to the park for a little fresh air.

This first thing that was obvious was that the installation of all those new lights had left a network of what can only be described as rough scars in grass and path alike. Little or nothing had been done to ensure that the displaced soil was reseeded or even laid down evenly. This was particularly noticeable in areas with a less regular throughput of footfalls.

As ever, when you dig up grassed areas and fail to take care to smooth and replant it is easy for the elements to prevail over nature and create a highly unattractive mud patch. In time of course it will be become green again. Green with assorted weeds, though.



It was soon clear that the workmanship made a lie of any claims to "love" Dane Park. We were left with the feeling that all one could do is hope that Thanet District Council might yet make good. Sadly experience sings a different song and I know only too well that if green area work is only slap-dash one has gotten off lightly.

However, there was more to tell and I would return after dark to check on some of the other claims made by local fathers. I will report on that separately and for now will end with one last image from the park. "We Love Dane Park", honest.