Topic ID 3082
Anyone know what's up? All cordoned off with police tape when I went past this morning.
Reply ID 44371
The tape has been removed now and the play area is open.
Reply ID 44379
The PC guarding the playground this a.m at 8.30 said he wasn't allowed to tell us what had happened.
Reply ID 44380
I would never let my children play in Hartham playground it is a site of overnight drinking and drug taking and its only a matter of time before a child gets a needle stick injury.
Reply ID 44386
Believed to be a "serious assult"
Reply ID 44396
I'll never understand why this area, like the castle grounds, can't be floodlit.
Reply ID 44402
quote:I have never heard of this. Also, while outside the playground I have come across plenty of discarded rubbish, broken bottles and dog faeces but I have never found any of this inside the play area. I would sincerely be interested in understanding your concerns.
Originally posted by Earthmother
I would never let my children play in Hartham playground it is a site of overnight drinking and drug taking and its only a matter of time before a child gets a needle stick injury.
Reply ID 44403
quote:Me too. I take Little Joby there several times a week and have always found it ok. Considering that it's probably the town's most heavily used playground and, as far as I'm aware, no child has ever sustained a "needle stick injury" in there, it would seem that your fears are unjustified. However, you may know something that we don't.
Originally posted by Ewoowarquote:I have never heard of this. Also, while outside the playground I have come across plenty of discarded rubbish, broken bottles and dog faeces but I have never found any of this inside the play area. I would sincerely be interested in understanding your concerns.
Originally posted by Earthmother
I would never let my children play in Hartham playground it is a site of overnight drinking and drug taking and its only a matter of time before a child gets a needle stick injury.
Reply ID 44405
quote:Hertford is not an inner-city drug-ridden slum. This sounds like mothering with a capital ‘S’ – smothering! You cannot protect your precious darlings from all aspects of everyday life. All you will achieve is creating paranoid children – fodder for the next generation of psychiatrists.
Originally posted by Earthmother
I would never let my children play in Hartham playground it is a site of overnight drinking and drug taking and its only a matter of time before a child gets a needle stick injury.
Reply ID 44464
I love the stereo type of an inner city drug slum. None of you have obviously been to Hartham on a Friday or Saturday night when the teenagers sit and drink and take drugs in the park. I am concerned Dreamer by your completley over the top comments. Some of us weigh up the risks as they have knowledge of concerns raised about the park and are not old fuddy duddy people who think that these things only happen in London. Its not smothering its providing the best for children, and who said I was a parent anyway!!
Reply ID 44466
I pass the playground en route from Hartham Lane to the Marina most Saturday nights (11pm ish) and I know exactly what Earthmother is referring too. I won't allow my kids to use the sand pit area for obvious reasons and I don't think I'm being over protective just sensible. The council are in that area at 5 to 6am clearing up at weekends so most people only see the sanitised version.
Reply ID 44467
Are there kids (teenagers) messing about in the park and even drinking or are there people openly injecting drugs. If so, then I sincerely hope both Earthmother and Forbes have contacted the police.
Reply ID 44469
Yes Ewoowar I have seen alcohol drinking and joint smoking I have never seen injecting actually taking place. About 18 months ago I would cycle past the playground at 5am on Sunday mornings and among the drink cans, condoms and improvised bongs I have seen pieces of foil with burnt tar like remains on. Correct me if I'm wrong (because I could be) is that not part of the preparation for injecting. As a parent I don't really need further evidence to exercise caution regarding my kids safety! As for the Police they drive down there regularly but they seem to only worry about the kids who congregate at the doors of Hartham Pool which tends to happen when it's raining.
Reply ID 44470
quote:I've been through Hartham plenty of times on a Friday and Saturday night and have seen teenagers (and adults, for that matter) drinking and smoking weed. I have never seen anyone openly injecting drugs. Have you?
Originally posted by Earthmother
I love the stereo type of an inner city drug slum. None of you have obviously been to Hartham on a Friday or Saturday night when the teenagers sit and drink and take drugs in the park.
quote:Please share the knowledge as to why the park is such an apparent danger. Your two posts on this topic have provided nothing but hearsay.
I am concerned Dreamer by your completley over the top comments. Some of us weigh up the risks as they have knowledge of concerns raised about the park
quote:You did, when you said "I would never let my children play on Hartham playground". You may mean something different, but the implication in that statement is that you're a parent.
Its not smothering its providing the best for children, and who said I was a parent anyway!!
Reply ID 44471
From what I know the foil thing could well be preparation for taking crack as well as preparation for injecting heroin. Whatever it is, kicking off with each other over semantics is defeating the object.Your lucky that the council dedicates somebody to clean up at 6 in the morning at the weekend, surely the point here is how effective they are ? You all want the same thing yeah ?A clean play area for kids ?
Reply ID 44508
Alleged sexual assault on a 16 yr old girl according to the Mercury. And being the Mercury, we obviously need to have the picture of the lone playground swing with Freddie Kruger in the background. Well done! [:(]
Reply ID 44520
quote:Or a mother who has eaten a Kit Kat whilst her child plays on the swings?
Originally posted by warren_peace
From what I know the foil thing could well be preparation for taking crack as well as preparation for injecting heroin.
Reply ID 44529
According to the Mercury one of the workers from the fair said they closed down at 10 AM and then went to the pub for an hour.
Reply ID 44539
quote:And?
Originally posted by Rooster
According to the Mercury one of the workers from the fair said they closed down at 10 AM and then went to the pub for an hour.
Reply ID 44541
quote:Well I can't think of many pubs that are open at 10 AM, apart from the hotels and Baroosh![;)]
Originally posted by Earthmotherquote:And?
Originally posted by Rooster
According to the Mercury one of the workers from the fair said they closed down at 10 AM and then went to the pub for an hour.
Reply ID 44544
quote:Absolutely, unless it shows signs of scorching, in which case oven foil is a far better option as kit kat wrapper is far too thin and wouldve led to most of the narcotic on the floor.Was it a case of a snack or crack ?Whatever it was, it is certianly a case of a cleaning job half done.The day will come when DNA evidence will be used to find the offendeng litter bugs.
Originally posted by James007quote:Or a mother who has eaten a Kit Kat whilst her child plays on the swings?
Originally posted by warren_peace
From what I know the foil thing could well be preparation for taking crack as well as preparation for injecting heroin.
Reply ID 44554
quote:How pathetic. Would you let your children out of the house, or is the possibility of them being abducted by aliens too great for you?
Originally posted by Earthmother
I would never let my children play in Hartham playground it is a site of overnight drinking and drug taking and its only a matter of time before a child gets a needle stick injury.
Reply ID 44574
quote:They were actually supposed to be quoting a conversation regarding the the attack which happened at night. It should have said PM not AM!!! Think about it. The fair does not close at 10 AM does it? Doh!!
Originally posted by Earthmotherquote:And?
Originally posted by Rooster
According to the Mercury one of the workers from the fair said they closed down at 10 AM and then went to the pub for an hour.
Reply ID 44578
When was the last time you went to the fair it doesn't close at 10pm, more like midnight! Doh!
Reply ID 44579
quote:Obviously I am more responsible as any normal caring parent would take advice if their child was deemed at high risk of a serious injury from drug users equipment. So I bet you leave the knives out and allow your kids to play chicken on the A414. Think before you make stupid unrealistic comments.
Originally posted by aubendquote:How pathetic. Would you let your children out of the house, or is the possibility of them being abducted by aliens too great for you?
Originally posted by Earthmother
I would never let my children play in Hartham playground it is a site of overnight drinking and drug taking and its only a matter of time before a child gets a needle stick injury.
Reply ID 44582
quote:What are you talking about? Since when has the playground in Hartham been rife with used hyperdermic needles? In my opinion the play area is one of the few shining lights of the area - it is well maintained, well made and well used. I suggest you lock yourself away with your Daily Mail in case the illegal immigrants get you.
Originally posted by Earthmotherquote:Obviously I am more responsible as any normal caring parent would take advice if their child was deemed at high risk of a serious injury from drug users equipment. So I bet you leave the knives out and allow your kids to play chicken on the A414. Think before you make stupid unrealistic comments.
Originally posted by aubendquote:How pathetic. Would you let your children out of the house, or is the possibility of them being abducted by aliens too great for you?
Originally posted by Earthmother
I would never let my children play in Hartham playground it is a site of overnight drinking and drug taking and its only a matter of time before a child gets a needle stick injury.
Reply ID 44589
I have been impressed at the way the council do clean the area each morning, I have never found anything undesireable in the sandpit when my daughter has played there which given the amount of use the playground gets after dark and the number of dogs around is pretty remarkable.
Reply ID 44591
I'm worried what sort of adult might be the product of a caged childhood, without the opportunity to experiment with self-risk assessment. Children are supposed to fall out of trees, tumble from bikes, fall into ponds, scratch themselves on barbed wire, get stung by nettles and bees, graze knees, discover how uncomfortable wet shoes are............ In protecting them from rare, extreme and often imagined dangers, we risk depriving them of the experience of minor ones which will keep them safe through life. Digital games and cartoons, played out in the safety of a life confined to their own bedrooms, only allowed out for organised activities, will teach them the world has no real consequences.
Reply ID 44596
quote:Oh well said sir! I agree entirely.
Originally posted by shunt
I'm worried what sort of adult might be the product of a caged childhood, without the opportunity to experiment with self-risk assessment. Children are supposed to fall out of trees, tumble from bikes, fall into ponds, scratch themselves on barbed wire, get stung by nettles and bees, graze knees, discover how uncomfortable wet shoes are............ In protecting them from rare, extreme and often imagined dangers, we risk depriving them of the experience of minor ones which will keep them safe through life. Digital games and cartoons, played out in the safety of a life confined to their own bedrooms, only allowed out for organised activities, will teach them the world has no real consequences.
Reply ID 44597
Read this a while ago in the Times, thought it summed things up http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/article689316.ece
Reply ID 44600
As they say, Parents are the worst people to have children
Reply ID 44601
quote:All adults are the product of caged environments ... and the one's who aren't are nutters. Surely you would agree with a parent who protects their children from the dangers of the road, for example. You would not let a 3-year-old walk into the road in the hope that next time s/he might know better ... that's discgraceful.
Originally posted by Roosterquote:Oh well said sir! I agree entirely.
Originally posted by shunt
I'm worried what sort of adult might be the product of a caged childhood, without the opportunity to experiment with self-risk assessment. Children are supposed to fall out of trees, tumble from bikes, fall into ponds, scratch themselves on barbed wire, get stung by nettles and bees, graze knees, discover how uncomfortable wet shoes are............ In protecting them from rare, extreme and often imagined dangers, we risk depriving them of the experience of minor ones which will keep them safe through life. Digital games and cartoons, played out in the safety of a life confined to their own bedrooms, only allowed out for organised activities, will teach them the world has no real consequences.
Reply ID 44603
quote:Hmm, either you've missed the point or you're trolling
Originally posted by xtra_xtra
All adults are the product of caged environments ... and the one's who aren't are nutters. Surely you would agree with a parent who protects their children from the dangers of the road, for example. You would not let a 3-year-old walk into the road in the hope that next time s/he might know better ... that's discgraceful.
Reply ID 44610
quote:Absolutely. Let us not forget that governments encourage fear in the public to keep them under control and also to keep them consuming. It seems Earthmother has lost her sense of individuality and has succumbed to the generic 'I must not under any circumstances take any kind of risk, however minute, in case my precious prince/princess gets hurt.' No doubt she has the obligatory top of the range pram and 4x4 etc to protect her special one/s from some perceived threat which doesn't exist.
Originally posted by shunt
I'm worried what sort of adult might be the product of a caged childhood, without the opportunity to experiment with self-risk assessment. Children are supposed to fall out of trees, tumble from bikes, fall into ponds, scratch themselves on barbed wire, get stung by nettles and bees, graze knees, discover how uncomfortable wet shoes are............ In protecting them from rare, extreme and often imagined dangers, we risk depriving them of the experience of minor ones which will keep them safe through life. Digital games and cartoons, played out in the safety of a life confined to their own bedrooms, only allowed out for organised activities, will teach them the world has no real consequences.
Reply ID 44617
quote:You love don't have a clue!! Who the hell are you to make personal comments about me, you are making assumptions from a website that is full of people who like nothing more than to bitch at each other as they have nothing better to do. If I told you I have a 3 piercings and a tattoo then I'm probably a thug. Its people like you who have let Maddie's parents get away with leaving a 3 year old on her own in an apartment. If they were working class or on benefits you'd like nothing more than to throw away the key, your so up your own arse.
Originally posted by aubendquote:Absolutely. Let us not forget that governments encourage fear in the public to keep them under control and also to keep them consuming. It seems Earthmother has lost her sense of individuality and has succumbed to the generic 'I must not under any circumstances take any kind of risk, however minute, in case my precious prince/princess gets hurt.' No doubt she has the obligatory top of the range pram and 4x4 etc to protect her special one/s from some perceived threat which doesn't exist.
Originally posted by shunt
I'm worried what sort of adult might be the product of a caged childhood, without the opportunity to experiment with self-risk assessment. Children are supposed to fall out of trees, tumble from bikes, fall into ponds, scratch themselves on barbed wire, get stung by nettles and bees, graze knees, discover how uncomfortable wet shoes are............ In protecting them from rare, extreme and often imagined dangers, we risk depriving them of the experience of minor ones which will keep them safe through life. Digital games and cartoons, played out in the safety of a life confined to their own bedrooms, only allowed out for organised activities, will teach them the world has no real consequences.
Reply ID 44627
quote:If you have 3 piercings and a tattoo I am surprised at your aversion to needles!
Originally posted by Earthmotherquote:You love don't have a clue!! Who the hell are you to make personal comments about me, you are making assumptions from a website that is full of people who like nothing more than to bitch at each other as they have nothing better to do. If I told you I have a 3 piercings and a tattoo then I'm probably a thug. Its people like you who have let Maddie's parents get away with leaving a 3 year old on her own in an apartment. If they were working class or on benefits you'd like nothing more than to throw away the key, your so up your own arse.
Originally posted by aubendquote:Absolutely. Let us not forget that governments encourage fear in the public to keep them under control and also to keep them consuming. It seems Earthmother has lost her sense of individuality and has succumbed to the generic 'I must not under any circumstances take any kind of risk, however minute, in case my precious prince/princess gets hurt.' No doubt she has the obligatory top of the range pram and 4x4 etc to protect her special one/s from some perceived threat which doesn't exist.
Originally posted by shunt
I'm worried what sort of adult might be the product of a caged childhood, without the opportunity to experiment with self-risk assessment. Children are supposed to fall out of trees, tumble from bikes, fall into ponds, scratch themselves on barbed wire, get stung by nettles and bees, graze knees, discover how uncomfortable wet shoes are............ In protecting them from rare, extreme and often imagined dangers, we risk depriving them of the experience of minor ones which will keep them safe through life. Digital games and cartoons, played out in the safety of a life confined to their own bedrooms, only allowed out for organised activities, will teach them the world has no real consequences.
Reply ID 44631
There seems to be some confusion between reasonable care and obsessive over protectiveness. The out of proportion reporting of the Madeline case isn't helping. I agree that Madeline should not have been left unsupervised, but what actually happened was perhaps the lowest risk posed by her being left alone. This extraordinary event and many other dangers, sensationally reported in the press, are horrific and a parent's nightmare, but statistically very, very rare. Your child is more likely to come to harm being driven in your car than any of them, but how many consider that an acceptable risk? Never taking a child in a car inconveniences the parent. Suppressing play is an easier option than the parent facing and quantifying their own fear. Of course, take care, but REASONABLE care. Earthmother, I'm sure you are a great mum, but try not to tie yourself in knots worrying. Children are resilient beings and no matter what you do, you cannot protect against every danger. There is an element of chance in every life. Children have been playing in parks for generations and parks and play equipment are safer than they have ever been.
Reply ID 44664
quote:Ditto Shunt. I remember that I played in the old pool (now filled in) that was fed direct from the river, behind the swimming pool, next to the 'concrete walk-bridge'. I also had many a ride on 'the slide' down what we used to call 'The Weir' behind the tennis courts. It's probably still "full of glass" like my grandma said'. I hear it's NOT full of Leptospira like people thought it was. The river is cleaner than ever before apparently.
[i]=Children have been playing in parks for generations and parks and play equipment are safer than they have ever been.
Reply ID 44718
quote:Earthmother, you originally said "I would never allow my children to play at Hartham". But, everybody is trying to tell you that Hartham is much safer than you assume. Your comments represent the type of mother who should learn to allow some freedom for their children. I repeat my original response to you - "Hertford is not an inner-city drug-ridden slum. This sounds like mothering with a capital ‘S’ – smothering! You cannot protect your precious darlings from all aspects of everyday life. All you will achieve is creating paranoid children – fodder for the next generation of psychiatrists."
Originally posted by Earthmother You love don't have a clue!! Who the hell are you to make personal comments about me, you are making assumptions from a website that is full of people who like nothing more than to bitch at each other as they have nothing better to do. If I told you I have a 3 piercings and a tattoo then I'm probably a thug. Its people like you who have let Maddie's parents get away with leaving a 3 year old on her own in an apartment. If they were working class or on benefits you'd like nothing more than to throw away the key, your so up your own arse.
Reply ID 44724
Dreamer you are spot on. My nephews (although not being brought up in Hertford) are subject to the same over cautious upbringing as you allude to, and to be quite honest I am worried for their state of mind in ten years time or so. When they visit their grandparents they are allowed to do exactly as I was (which may involve the odd self-afflicted injury (a point that Shunt was alluding to earlier)) but at the end of the day they will be none the worse for it. However, their mother insists in wrapping them in cotton wool, so come the day they have to fend for themselves, they really won't have a clue, which I think is a far bigger threat than any wrongly imagined drugs nuisance (and the accompanied over-reaction), for example, could ever be.