LETTERS TO TITE EDITOR
LONDON SQUARES IN SUMMER TIME
[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.] SIR,—In view of the new approach of the holiday season when most of the inhabitants of the residential parts of London will be enjoying rest and change in the country or abroad, we venture to appeal to the owners of square gardens to permit those gardens to be opened—more particularly for the use of children—during August and September. We fully recognize that the squares are the private gardens of the adjacent householders for whom they are maintained by Garden Committees, and we also realise that if any of the owners and Garden Committees can see their way to respond to our appeal, the use of the open spaces must involve them in no expense and must be subject to careful supervision to prevent damage. We are confident that any necessary expense involved in the temporary use of the squares would be cheerfully provided by the generosity of the public.
Our confidence is inspired by a knowledge of the fact that it is now universally felt that the children of the poor should have some happier and more suitable place than the dangerous and unhealthy streets and alleys, where they are shut off from sunlight, in which to pass their long holidays. By the thoughtful action of the Benchers the gardens attached to the Temple and Gray's Inn have been opened to children during summer evenings and have afforded unlimited pleasure. The- owners of square gardens will be conferring upon the public a very real boon if they can see their way to follow the example of the Benchers. We shall be happy to discuss details with any who may feel disposed to respond to our request.
In conclusion, may we beg the London County Council to consider whether greater use cannot be made of school playgrounds during the holiday season ? In the poorer districts where no square gardens exist access to the play- grounds would be of very great value to the children.— We are, Sir, &e., BASIL HOLMES, Secretary, Metropolitan Public Gardens Association, Denison House, 296 Vauxhall Bridge Road, S.W. 1.
LAWRENCE W. CHUBB, Secretary, Commons and Footpaths Preservation Society, 7 Bucking- ham Palace Gardens, Westminster, S.W. 1.
A. T. PIKE, Secretary, Garden Cities and Town Planning Association, 8 Gray's Inn Square, W.C. 1.
RICHARD SUDELL, Secretary, London Gardens Guild, 124 Walworth Road, S.E. 1. • C. W. SALEEBY, Chairman of Council, The Sunlight League, 37 Russell Square, W.C. 1.,
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