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The Bancroft Verdict.

Written by ronlyre on

From: shakespearewuzere.com

Before I give my much awaited verdict on the the Bancroft Gardens, I'm going to keep Stratford upon Avon waiting just a little longer by saying first of all, that I'm surprised. Surprised and more than a little amazed that the Bancroft project was 'finished' in time for the Birthday Celebrations. I understand from newspaper reports that it was a bit of a white knuckle ride and right up to the wire, but somehow they ('they' being the three workers who were assigned to the expensive project right from the beginning), pulled it off. Well done chaps.

So, what do I think? Has Ted de Stratford been convinced that 4 Million smackeroonies was well spent? The answer to that is easy. No. I cannot for the life of me believe that, that is what it cost. If indeed that figure is correct then I can only assume that the same people who laid my tarmac drive did this job too. 'Ripped' and 'off' spring to mind.

Is it any good? Good question. I must admit to liking the simplicity of it. It looks like it came in a pack. From Ikea. Straight lines, squares (and that's just the trees) and probably a screw loose or missing. All in all very clean and very tidy. Which begs the question, what it will look like in a year when the Great British Public have deposited their fish and chip papers, motorcycles, skate boards and footballs all over its pristine surfaces? I dread to think, which brings me to my next question. Is it appropriate?

No, no, and no again. The brain who designed this obviously went to the wrong town when he or she was researching the project. This is for a town that has a matching Bus Station, or Railway Station or Shopping Precinct even. This Bancroft belongs in a town that is not stuck in the 1950's in terms of attitude and architecture. It sticks out like a sore thumb. This does not make it bad, it just makes it mad and misplaced and by the time the rest of Stratford catches up, its paving stones will be cracked, oil-stained and vomit covered.

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