By Glen Leat
August 6 2002

Following the recent legal judgement over the use of the Recreation Ground I decided to gather together two of the protagonists to discuss this thorny issue to see if they can add value to the debate. Highly unlikely isn't it!

Firstly can I introduce my guests, Major Cecil Nimby-Backyard who represents a group which gathers under the banner of “Saviours of the Rec” and Harley Quin a well known and very respected supporter of Bath Rugby. This was not an easy discussion to, for want of a better description, referee as the Colonel brought along his dog who developed a penchant for Mr Quin's left leg. I therefore had to restrict the discussion to the following three questions.

Q1 – What does the Recreation Ground mean to you?

Major N-B – The Recreation Ground is not just the heart of our fair City but its beautiful green space provides the lungs for a population starved of the joy breathing fresh and pure air in a world of filth and corruption. Anyone who wants to destroy these healthy lungs with a cancerous growth of so-called progress is beyond contempt in my eyes and should be flogged! Too many Bathonions believe the Recreation Ground belongs to the whole population, they are wrong; it belongs to those of us who are fortunate enough to reside around its perimeter and therefore we should be the only people allowed to decide on its future. If I had my way we would be the only people allowed to walk on the ground!

HQ – The Recreation Ground is a piece of land meant to add to the health and enjoyment of local residents. The name itself describes how it is supposed to be used, it was never intended to lie fallow for 99% of the time as a handful of people make use of its facility each day. I am disappointed that a small group of well-meaning individuals can prevent a large majority from using this land for its intended purpose – recreation.

Q2 – Is Bath Rugby good for the Recreation Ground?

Major N-B - Quite simply no. I'm sure rugby is of interest to a few people within the City of Bath but those of us who live on the perimeter of the Recreation Ground generally have little interest in this sport and therefore see no reason why Bath Rugby should make use of this facility. The rugby ground is an eyesore in its current state and would be even worse if some modern carbuncle of a sports stadium were to be built. Bath would be a far better place if every building built after India was handed back was razed to the ground. Mind you Bath would be better if National Service was re-introduced for all of the young thugs who watch this awful rugby. Additionally where would the cricket be held for our lovely five day festival?

HQ - Bath is a living City not a museum and the people living there should be entitled to enjoy the privileges enjoyed by residents of other towns and cities and that includes recreational facilities. The facilities for recreation in Bath are appalling, almost non-existent, and the development of a sports stadium under the guidance of Bath Rugby would be a bonus for a lot of people. The building of a architecturally sympathetic stadium would bring a lot of joy to those residents who pay their council tax each month. No one wants Bath Rugby to receive unfair financial benefits on the backs of council tax payers but this business should receive the same sort of support any other thriving business would expect to receive.

Q3 – What will the impact on the City of Bath be should Bath Rugby be forced to build a ground away from the Rec?

Major N-B - I strongly believe that the emphasis many people place on the impact the rugby has on local business is exaggerated and the removal of this barbaric sport from the gentle rolling meadows of Bath cannot come too soon. The businesses who go on about keeping rugby at the Recreation Ground obviously have vested interests as they are probably rugby supporters themselves - I dislike anyone basing an argument purely on the grounds of vested interests.

HQ - Whenever you watch Bath Rugby on TV the commentator invariably makes mention of the beautiful surroundings of the ground and supports something akin to a travel documentary with a sweeping long shot of our fair City. I am in no doubt that this helps to draw visitors to Bath which in turn contributes to the local economy. This is history, something you cannot buy or reclaim when it is lost. You only have to look at the many beautiful buildings Bath has lost over the past 100 years to know the importance of history. Bath Rugby has a long history and I for one would be devastated if we had to leave our spiritual home.

In all my years of knowing Harley Quin I have never heard him respond in such a reasoned manner, as for the Colonel, I had to cut out some of his more radical views to ensure I did not upset readers of this article.