By Community Correspondent Philippa Hennessy Recently, some of the locals of Wimbledon have bought to my attention the lack of a suitable play area for children anywhere on Wimbledon Common. Control over what goes on and what goes up on the Common has been invested in a body of eight Conservators as far back as 1871, when the Wimbledon and Putney Commons Act was passed in Parliament. Three of the Conservators are Government appointed - one each appointed by the Secretary of State for Defence, the Secretary of State for the Environment and the Home Secretary - and five are elected every three years by the levy payers. Elections are normally held in January or February and everyone on the Local Government Electoral Roll living within the 3/4 mile of the Commons boundary may stand as a candidate.

The Conservators do not feel that a play area is of importance for the following reasons: The Common must be kept unenclosed and unbuilt on; an enclosed playground is out of the question.

The Commons’ natural aspect and state must as far as possible be preserved; the Commons are not a park, nor were they intended to be by the original founders in 1871.

The Commons are themselves a vast playground for all ages. Not only are there spaces to run in and trees to climb and hide behind, but the whole area is a source of natural wonder: there are different leaves to collect; trees, flowers and other plants to identify; stones to turn over and dead logs to examine for all kinds of mini-beasts; and birds to watch and identify.

Those of you who are parents will know only too well that most kids don’t just want to bird watch; they want to play, climb up ladders and squeal with pleasure as they hurtle down a slippery slide - they need an area dedicated to them not just for these reasons but many more. Surely, somewhere in all the 1,100 acres that spans the Common, space could be found to accommodate our local children, which will not only encourage residents and the local community alike to use (and enjoy) the Common more regularly, but also attract more visitors. And of course, it wouldn’t have to be enclosed – and it wouldn't need to be an eyesore, but an attractive wooden area with safe and adequate equipment. There could even be some sort of nature trail that would embrace the Conservators passion for promoting the Common as a natural aspect. Why is it that Richmond Park and seemingly most other parks and commons in and around South West London have play areas for children? Is it really safe for young children to roam freely amongst the logs, the trees that are falling down, the overgrown grass and stinging nettles, as well as being exposed to excitable dogs and speeding cyclists? The Common caters for walkers, runners, cyclists, horse riders, dog walkers and golfers, yet it does not cater for the thousands and thousands of young children, many of whom would like to be able to use the Common as their own garden because they don't have one of their own. These children have to get in a car every time they want to go to a play area, even though the Common is just a few minutes walk away from where they live.

It would be accurate to report that the Common has a number of buildings on the Common - these include 13 staff cottages, a Cafe, Pavilion, Maintenance Centre, Stables, The Ranger’s Office, Information Centre and the Windmill (now a museum). Since 1st April 1991, the Commons have been largely financed by means of a levy on the Boroughs of Wandsworth, Merton and Kingston in a proportion relevant to the number of “D” Band properties in each Borough within 3/4 mile of the Commons or in the old Parish of Putney. The Boroughs pass on this levy by way of an addition to the Council Tax on properties in the area. It does seem rather unjust that we are paying for the upkeep and maintenance of our beloved Common, yet we have no say in how it is run and how it is used. So much for having a Common that belongs to a community as a whole. But more importantly, it is such a shame to have all this beauty on our doorstep with no proper area for our children.

What do you think? I would love to hear your thoughts and comments – please give me your email address so that I can respond to you.