Replacement Train For Abington Park
| Published: 25th April 2008 10:59 |
Nursery offers its own train to replaced burnt-out park one
Tom Shea has pledged to give his nursery's train to Abington Park
A generous nursery owner has offered to donate an identical playground train to the one burned down by vandals in Abington Park. Tom Shea, of Childfirst in Moulton Way North, Moulton, is offering his wooden train to the people of Northampton after hearing about the destruction of the old one.
He said: "When we saw the train had been burned down, we thought about donating our train to the park because it would be better to have a lot of children playing on it than just our children.
"We talked to the staff, parents, children and everyone and all agreed to offer it to the park.
"A lot of our kids live near Abington Park and use the train."
Mr Shea took over the nursery 18 months ago and has added numerous activities, including nature trails and vegetable patches, so he said the children would not miss out.
His grand-daughter Hannah, two, used to play on the Abington Park train before it was set alight on April 19.
Mr Shea has suggested placing his replacement train near to Abington Park's Park Cafe instead of the park's playground, because it would then be covered by CCTV cameras and speakers to warn off vandals. The system is operated from Northampton Borough Council's CCTV headquarters.
Tony Ansell, who is the owner of cafe and chairman of Abington Conservation Society, said: "Lady Wantage, in 1892, handed over Abington Park. It was the most generous gift to Northampton. Now Tom is following in her footsteps by giving this generous gift."
Tony Woods (Lib Dem, St Davids), leader of the borough council, said: "It's fantastic news, and incredibly generous on the part of Tom.
"I'm not surprised at the level of reaction to the original train being burnt, because anyone who has children and uses parks regularly will know they get very attached to certain bits of equipment. All being well, we will be able to get the new train in place very quickly."
Last week, four-year-old Finnlay Decoster-Ryan offered to donate his pocket money to the campaign for a replacement. Pledges totalling £6,000 to replace have been made
Source - Chronicle & Echo
The train in the children's play area at Abington Park has been destroyed by arsonists.
The Fire Service said the fire, which had had been started deliberately, happened around 10pm on Saturday when somebody took a chiminea patio heater into the park and put it on the train
Police would like to hear from anyone who may have seen someone carrying the chiminea, which is a large object, into the park on Saturday evening, or seen anyone in the play area, which is situated beside Park Avenue South, at around the relevant time.
Anyone with information is asked to call police on 08453 700700 and ask for the Abington Safer Community Team, or call Crimestoppers, where callers do not have to give their name, on 0800 555111.
source - Chronicle and Echo
The Park has already lost the roundabout and now the train - the flowerbeds have not been re-sown - and there are no safety rings by the ponds - The Park is a main attraction for thousands of people all over Northampton - and yet is seems to be lacking investment in very basic facilities. Your comments , thoughts on what should be done to save Abington Park would be very welcome.
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