As a result of campaigning to rejuvenate our fantastic West Park I am frequently asked if it would be possible to reinstate the pleasure boats, which have left an indelible impression on the collective psyche of our residents.
The obvious answer is yes. If the will is there, but we need to ascertain if those persons who represent us are in a position to help. If you would like to see a return of the boats please make your feelings known to your local and County Councillors who may support the campaign.
First we should revisit the decision that resulted in the boats being removed and to be frank I cannot remember the circumstances very clearly. It would appear that two staff were required to rent out the boats and the income from the boats was not sufficient to make the operation viable.
This of course raises a couple of questions in that; is the facility a public service or a commercial venture?  Also were other options explored to run the boats i.e. volunteers?
As we consider the implications of the current financial downturn with parents and grandparents finding it difficult to entertain children by taking them to the seaside etc. We as a society could consider providing attractions to keep young people of all ages occupied during school holidays and summer weekends. This should pay a return in a reduction of anti-social behaviour.
Of course we now find ourselves in different times with financial constraints on council expenditure. Maybe a more innovative method is sometimes required to achieve a result so perhaps we could explore a different approach.
Examine a scenario: If it were possible to apply to the Heritage Lottery or other funders for the acquisition of new boats could we find a way to operate them with little or no cost to the council? Perhaps we may be able to get funding for community workers to operate the boats.
Or thinking outside of the box: Give much needed work experience to students.
Allow voluntary groups to administer boating to accumulate funds for good causes.
Thinking along similar lines perhaps it would also be possible to install a zip wire or other adventure equipment.
Alternatively, there are people who would like to turn the West Park into a solely environmental area with frogs, tadpoles and sticklebacks the primary focus. This leads me to ponder that we have lots of facilities in our town for wildlife; from the nature park to the burn, which winds itself around the length of the town. It would appear that we are about to gain another pond in the Cobblers Hall area and we even have a fishing pond.
Swans, ducks and Canadian geese frequent the West Park along with a multitude of other birds and wildlife that have been a feature of the area for years; providing a form of entertainment in themselves and fun for all the family. One of the cheapest and most innocent of pleasures is to take a small child to the park to feed the ducks.  However, with two lakes it can be argued there is space for both pursuits.
As Friends of West Park the object of our mission is to promote full use of the park for everyone.
Ken Robson
“Friends Of West Park”