Describing Blackbird Leys, Barton and Wood Farm as some dingy neglected inner city estate in your editorial ‘A kick in the teeth for estates’ (Oxford Mail Monday 13th November 2006), seems to me far from the truth.
In these well appointed estates, which are bounded by Oxford’s glorious Green Belt, residents are never far away from green open spaces where they can enjoy fresh air as they exercise. Describing estates like Wood Farm as lacking in open space is so untrue .As North Oxford has a damp Port Meadow, Wood Farm has that natural treasure, that is Shotover Country Park, with its fantastic views, nature trails, woods and wildlife.
As for lacking in recreational facilities as you describe these so called neglected estates. Many neighbouring suburbs look on in envy at the council’s legacy of sports and recreational facilities available on these estates. Barton has its new pool, Blackbird Leys had its sports centre refurbished recently, no you can’t make the case that these suburban estates fit the picture painted in your editorial.
If parents are concerned about the fitness of there children, I suggest they take them to the other recreational sport facilities available to residents in this city. No the real question that needs to be asked, were there mistakes made in the location of such facilities. After all, Cowley Road seems to be blessed with sports facilities, while other areas like Marston, Rose Hill and Headington have been seriously neglected. http://www.oxfordprospect.co.uk/index.htm
Thursday, November 16, 2006
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