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Carving will be eyesore

From the archive, first published Friday 22nd Oct 2004.

SIR -- Disquiet grows at proposals to vandalise the classical setting of Bury Knowle Park at Headington, Oxford, in the cause of modern art, by the creation of a carved totem pole based on a pastiche of Tolkien and CS Lewis themes (Oxford Mail, October 1). Such a dastardly scheme would create a man-made eyesore out of keeping with the natural setting of the park.

It would destroy one of the few refuges that Oxford residents have in this city from the never-ending tide of tourists who visit our fair city. To many, this appears to be a desperate attempt to attract tourists to the area, while overriding the concerns of numerous residents, who are worried at the effect that such an ill-conceived scheme would have on the natural beauty of Bury Knowle Park, and the extra traffic generated to the area's already gridlocked roads.

Hopefully, the powers-that-be will turn down such a scheme and spend the money instead on a more deserving cause.

One such cause could be funding the long-delayed construction of suitable disabled access to Headington Llibrary.

NICHOLAS NEWMAN

Editor

Oxfordprospect.co.uk

& Headington Forum

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