TRAVELLERS DESCEND ON DUKE'S MEADOWS

Local residents were shocked to discover this week that a large group of travellers had arrived on Dukes Meadows. They were in for a further surprise when it was revealed that an officer from CIP, the company which manages the Council's parks and leisure services, had given permission for them to stay

The first group of four travellers caravans were already on Duke's Meadows when a CIP Officer gave permission. This permission would not have been given under normal circumstances but one of the travellers was heavily pregnant (and gave birth last weekend) and so the extenuating circumstances led to special permission until last Thursday.

The caravans belonged to the woman's immediate family. A health visitor has visited the family and said that they should stay for an extra week whilst the new mother recuperated.

A secondary group (of approximately 18 caravans which moved into the boat house car park) were not connected to the first group according to the Council. Legal proceedings were initiated as soon as this group was reported.

The granting of permission to stay was greeted with outrage by some as concern grew over the level of damage to Duke's Meadows. Local resident and former TV and radio presenter Mike Smith commented, "Cue - Johnny Mathis and some misty, early-morning shots of the volunteers from FODM clearing-up the CIP-approved scene. Why not turn the Meadows into a natural childbirth centre?".

A Council spokesman defended their record and said, "I would challenge you to find a Council that could evict travellers as quickly as Hounslow." The travellers had left the site by Friday evening.

Travellers generally follow the main race meetings so there are a number of groups in the West London area at the moment, though mainly in Staines/Maidenhead areas for Ascot.

Although there has been no proper assessment of the cost of clear-up yet there has been damage to the Pavilion reported. The Friends of Dukes Meadows are planning to make this into an Art Centre.

Measures are being considered to protect the Meadows from unauthorised access but given the size of the site this could prove difficult. A councillor has proposed that bollards are put in to stop this reoccurring and the Friend's of Dukes Meadows are grateful to receive any offers of funding for this. As an interim measure they have managed to obtain a free supply of logs which they may be able to secure the site with if help from the Council or CIP is forthcoming.

The Friends of Dukes Meadows hold regular clear up days and are always looking for new volunteers. They have been in receipt of several grants and a development officer for the site is to be appointed in the near future. Plans have been drawn up for an ambitious scheme to regenerate the site and reintroduce open air bathing which used to be massively popular in the area.

Friends of Duke's Meadows

23rd June 2002