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Archive => Archived Boards => Local Issues => Topic started by: Mr Marple on April 11, 2014, 01:47:10 PM
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I've just driven past the rec and encountered a shock to see the swings and rails etc have been taken away.
Whether this is for a new layer of tarmac or not it has come as a bit of a shock.
Does anyone know the reason? Is it down to tarmac?
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Which rec?
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Between Strines Rd & Oldknow Rd.
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I've just driven past the rec and encountered a shock to see the swings and rails etc have been taken away.
Whether this is for a new layer of tarmac or not it has come as a bit of a shock.
Does anyone know the reason? Is it down to tarmac?
The workmen told me the swings were being removed as they were deemed dangerous and there is currently no funding for replacements. The tarmac is being lifted and replaced with grass. The benches on the separate strip of tarmac are to remain.
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The workmen told me the swings were being removed as they were deemed dangerous and there is currently no funding for replacements.
A very sad reflection on the times we live in. Whatever the economic problems we face, our councillors have clearly got their priorities wrong.
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It wouldn't wash in the private sector... Budgets cut there too, but targets stretched... People are delivering more, with less...
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It wouldn't wash in the private sector... Budgets cut there too, but targets stretched... People are delivering more, with less...
I must live in a different private sector to you Gaz.The one that I'm in has even less imagination than the Council. They just seem to put the price of everything up. Except people's salaries and wages of course.
Maybe we should have a change of Councillors in Marple. Perhaps the one's that we've got have been around too long. The trouble is though that the alternative might be even worse. Labour would probably borrow everything that they could lay their hands on and the Tories might put an ASDA on Marple Memorial Park.
I saw a Council leaflet the other day boasting about how they are spending £100m on mending the roads ad foothpaths. You would think that out of that they would be able to find a few thousand pounds to provide a couple of swings in the park for the kids.
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You would think that out of that they would be able to find a few thousand pounds to provide a couple of swings in the park for the kids.
Indeed, especially as it would count as capital expenditure, rather then revenue, and therefore depreciated over a number of years in the accounts. So the impact on the current year's bottom line would be negligible.
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The workmen told me the swings were being removed as they were deemed dangerous and there is currently no funding for replacements. The tarmac is being lifted and replaced with grass. The benches on the separate strip of tarmac are to remain.
I had a quick swing not that long ago and it seemed fine, but if it's to do with money then it just goes to show what happens where.
The world has changed for sure.................just not for the better.
Priorities placed where, cllrs choices for community, lack of money................many thoughts are going through my mind.
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I must live in a different private sector to you Gaz.The one that I'm in has even less imagination than the Council. They just seem to put the price of everything up. Except people's salaries and wages of course.
Maybe we should have a change of Councillors in Marple. Perhaps the one's that we've got have been around too long. The trouble is though that the alternative might be even worse. Labour would probably borrow everything that they could lay their hands on and the Tories might put an ASDA on Marple Memorial Park.
I saw a Council leaflet the other day boasting about how they are spending £100m on mending the roads ad foothpaths. You would think that out of that they would be able to find a few thousand pounds to provide a couple of swings in the park for the kids.
Put an Asda in but not In the park .
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The workmen told me the swings were being removed as they were deemed dangerous and there is currently no funding for replacements. The tarmac is being lifted and replaced with grass. The benches on the separate strip of tarmac are to remain.
There were swings, a slide and a roundabout there when I was a little girl. It would be interesting to see the accident statistics for the playground on the rec. since play equipment was first installed there.
And swings are dangerous? So are skateboards but no-one's cribbing about the new skate board thingy.
Or does SMBC have it's eye on the rec for other purposes? One of your beloved mini Tesco shops? Social housing?
How did the rec get there? Was it donated to the people of Marple by a private benefactor or did the old MUDC set it up in a fit of public spiritedness? Anyone know what conditions were laid down as to it's usage?
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There were swings, a slide and a roundabout there when I was a little girl. It would be interesting to see the accident statistics for the playground on the rec. since play equipment was first installed there.
And swings are dangerous? So are skateboards but no-one's cribbing about the new skate board thingy.
Or does SMBC have it's eye on the rec for other purposes? One of your beloved mini Tesco shops? Social housing?
How did the rec get there? Was it donated to the people of Marple by a private benefactor or did the old MUDC set it up in a fit of public spiritedness? Anyone know what conditions were laid down as to it's usage?
Correction to the above - the rec was a gift by a private benefactor, Mr Hodgkinson by name. and the work was paid for by the owners of Hollins Mill. There must have been a covenant but local authorities have overthrown covenants before.
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Correction to the above - the rec was a gift by a private benefactor, Mr Hodgkinson by name. and the work was paid for by the owners of Hollins Mill. There must have been a covenant but local authorities have overthrown covenants before.
There was some work done on strines road a few years ago .and didn't the councill use the top end for storage
Plant etc . And someone brought this up about reinstating it back to what it was .they had to ask someone for permission .to use .
Admin it's in the postings some were can you look please .Thank you .
Marple civic society may be able to help who owns this land .
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There was some work done on strines road a few years ago .and didn't the councill use the top end for storage
Plant etc . And someone brought this up about reinstating it back to what it was .they had to ask someone for permission .to use .
Admin it's in the postings some were can you look please .Thank you .
Marple civic society may be able to help who owns this land .
This is the thread you are referring to Amazon: http://www.marple-uk.com/smf/index.php?topic=2999.0
The council own the recreation ground (on behalf of the community).
As it says on the water fountain on the Rec, "The land for this recreation ground was presented by W. B (Walter Bright) Hodgkinson Esq JP". "The cost of erecting the buildings and laying out the children's corner was bourne by Thomas Carver Esq, late of Marple."
I understand that there are covenants on the land similar / the same as those on Memorial Park. They proved most successful in preventing the council selling the park cottage or it being used for commercial purposes and ultimately contributed to the fantastic outcome of it being officially opened soon as the new home of the Brass Bands of Marple. However, it could easily have led to it being left to decay and fall down, which seemed to be the council's own plan for dealing with it before the bands came to the rescue.
I haven't seen the covenants covering the Rec. I think that covenants on their own may not be enough to stop a council determined to sell the land for commercial use but it would give a great deal of strength to anyone who wanted to fight them. But I'm speaking generally here - personally I'd be very surprised (and disappointed) if SMBC were thinking of disposing of this community land that's been in their care for more than 100 years.
Incidentally, the Friends of Memorial Park restored and refurbished the two picnic benches on the Rec last year using money from Marple Area Committee. I would suggest that if we hadn't done this the benches would have been removed too. We also arranged for the water fountain to be cleaned by Karcher. What the Rec really needs is a Friends group of its own to take ownership and fight its corner.
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Apparently, some months ago a child (not in Marple) had an accident in one of the children's play parks. As a consequence The Council had all the play-park apparatus inspected across the borough and some of it was condemned as unsafe. So for the last week or so workman have been going around the borough dismantling and removing condemned equipment.
So it isn't just Marple it is the whole of Stockport.
Under those circumstances their actions are perfectly understandable. I would though have thought that they could find the small amount of money required to replace them. Especially with local elections around the corner and particularly when the ruling group is proclaiming in their pre-election leaflets....."£100 Million Pothole Jackpot." ...."eight year plan of action being drawn up."
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This is the thread you are referring to Amazon: http://www.marple-uk.com/smf/index.php?topic=2999.0
The council own the recreation ground (on behalf of the community).
As it says on the water fountain on the Rec, "The land for this recreation ground was presented by W. B (Walter Bright) Hodgkinson Esq JP". "The cost of erecting the buildings and laying out the children's corner was bourne by Thomas Carver Esq, late of Marple."
I understand that there are covenants on the land similar / the same as those on Memorial Park. They proved most successful in preventing the council selling the park cottage or it being used for commercial purposes and ultimately contributed to the fantastic outcome of it being officially opened soon as the new home of the Brass Bands of Marple. However, it could easily have led to it being left to decay and fall down, which seemed to be the council's own plan for dealing with it before the bands came to the rescue.
I haven't seen the covenants covering the Rec. I think that covenants on their own may not be enough to stop a council determined to sell the land for commercial use but it would give a great deal of strength to anyone who wanted to fight them. But I'm speaking generally here - personally I'd be very surprised (and disappointed) if SMBC were thinking of disposing of this community land that's been in their care for more than 100 years.
Incidentally, the Friends of Memorial Park restored and refurbished the two picnic benches on the Rec last year using money from Marple Area Committee. I would suggest that if we hadn't done this the benches would have been removed too. We also arranged for the water fountain to be cleaned by Karcher. What the Rec really needs is a Friends group of its own to take ownership and fight its corner.
Thank you .
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I'm obviously sorry to hear of a child having an accident in one of Stockport's play parks. However I'm also well aware that in my childhood, accidents happened, sometimes bones were broken (and in one instance a broken back and paralysis occurred), but we didn't look to blame the council. Accidents do unfortunately happen.
Playing on climbing frames, roundabouts and swings built on concrete with the occasional broken bottle taught us to hold on tighter - a lesson that's not done me any harm in later life (particularly as I'm probably not the most conventional of middle aged, middle class, middle Marple ;-)
My kids found out tonight that the swings have been taken down. They are incensed. They cannot understand why the swings were taken down (NB I doubt the swings were inspected and found to be structurally unsound - I'll wager there is some H&S booklet that says swings should not be on a chain more than 1.6 meters long and that was the reason for these swings being "deemed" unsafe. Why do I say that? Last years some wags had wound the swings round the top bar. Something I'm afraid we too used to do as youths. Sadly I don't have the core strength any more to unwind them for their uppermost position so I shinned up, sat on the crossbar, and unwould them manually. The bar was sound with decent paint coverage and absolutely no rust. The bearings were relatively new and well greased. The chains were complete and free. In fact I'd happily have pushed my Gran on them were she still alive).
My kids spent many, many hours on those swings. They considered them the best in Marple. Why? For the simple reason the chains were long enough for them to swing really, really high. That floated their boat. But at the same time, you didn't have to swing 10 feet in the air. My 74 year old mum went on them a couple of years ago. Went about 2 feet in the air and laughed like a drain. She hadn't been on a swing in 40 odd years (since I was still needing a push).
Admin's certainly not wrong in stating the Rec park needs a "Friends" group. But what would also help is if people started using it more. The Memorial Park is a fantastic facility but if a few families/groups took their picnics, or their footballs, Frisbees, etc to the Rec occasionally I suspect if there is a cynical plan for the Council to sell, off the land for commercial purposes, their easiest way to dissolve the covenants is to show that the community do not use the park for the purpose it was gifted. Namely recreation.
Just a thought.
(PS My militant 9 years old is threatening to write to the council to ask why they didn't consult prior to taking this dreadful act. Good on her ;-)
RH.
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I think you should encourage your "militant" child to write to the council - and as many other children as possible. When I was driving past the rec this afternoon it crossed my mind that the children should get together and lobby the council. Perhaps the local primary schools could take this up?
So they've left the picnic tables in situ? Big deal. If there is no play equipment what incentive will there be for families to go and picnic close to the road when there are other more suitable places? I tend to think that the rot set in when they closed the loos.
I'm not beyond conspiracy theory here. Remove the swings (because all swings are dangerous as proven by one accident to one child) then even fewer people will use the rec then obviously there is no need for it so we (ie SMBC) can appropriate it for a money making purpose. >:(
Ok, "Friends of the Rec" it is then. Sign me up.
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But I'm speaking generally here - personally I'd be very surprised (and disappointed) if SMBC were thinking of disposing of this community land that's been in their care for more than 100 years.
Incidentally, the Friends of Memorial Park restored and refurbished the two picnic benches on the Rec last year using money from Marple Area Committee. I would suggest that if we hadn't done this the benches would have been removed too. We also arranged for the water fountain to be cleaned by Karcher. What the Rec really needs is a Friends group of its own to take ownership and fight its corner.
I'd be very surprised (and disappointed) if SMBC were thinking of disposing of this community land that's been in their care for more than 100 years How quaintly naïve you are, my dear.
Incidentally, the Friends of Memorial Park restored and refurbished the two picnic benches on the Rec last year using money from Marple Area Committee. I would suggest that if we hadn't done this the benches would have been removed too. We also arranged for the water fountain to be cleaned by Karcher. What the Rec really needs is a Friends group of its own to take ownership and fight its corner.
Do you think the Friends of Memorial Park would be inclined to act in an advisory capacity in the setting up a "Friends of the Rec" group?
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Surely it would be just as easy to email one of the local Councillors and ask them than to speculate on here.
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Surely it would be just as easy to email one of the local Councillors and ask them than to speculate on here.
Well, go on then.
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I know this is only a small, and totally unscientific sample, but I have lived in Marple for 13 years (I know, typical incomer) and have driven past the Rec hundreds of times and walked around it scores of times and I have never seen a SINGLE human being (or dog!) on it. Can anyone beat that?
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Do you think the Friends of Memorial Park would be inclined to act in an advisory capacity in the setting up a "Friends of the Rec" group?
Yes, the Friends of Memorial Park would be happy to chat with people considering starting another group during one of our task days in exchange for a hour or two's grafting ;)
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Well, go on then.
I already have. That's how I happen to know the 'official' reason they were dismantled in the first place.
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Here's an official reply from the Council:
"Thank you for your enquiry relating to the removal of play equipment.
Play equipment requires compliant impact attenuating surfacing (IAS) following the EN standard (BSEN1176 / BSEN1177), which came into force on 1st January 1998. The play equipment that has been removed was not compliant with the current standards however for many years the risk rating was such that the equipment was left in situ.
The Council has now received legal advice in relation to the risks in having play equipment that is not compliant surfacing. It has been stated that the Council either needs to replace or remove this equipment.
This is something that the Council must now do. At sites where there is funding available play equipment will be re-supplied. At sites where there is no money available then the removal of the equipment and the surfacing does not hinder any future work to re-supply when and if money becomes available.
There was no consultation simply because there was only one possible outcome at this time, the equipment had to be removed.
However the Council will continue to work with any interested groups to secure funding for a new facility."
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Well, Simone, if you'd already emailed someone in "authority"' why did you suggest someone else did the same?
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Thanks for passing on the Council's response, Admin, although it's depressing stuff, and not just because of its bewildering jargon (what exactly is 'play equipment that is not compliant surfacing'?).
The depressing bit is the arbitrary and uncaring way the council is behaving, sweeping aside the interests of council taxpayers and their children with these immortal words: There was no consultation simply because there was only one possible outcome at this time, the equipment had to be removed.
Words fail me (almost). It's clear from the council's own response that the play equipment at the rec has been technically non-compliant with health and safety regulations for the past sixteen years, but 'the risk rating was such that the equipment was left in situ.'
So at any point since 1998 someone from the council could have approached members of the local community and said 'We're sorry to tell you that the swings at the rec will probably have to be removed in the future, unless we can get this IAS stuff laid underneath them. Let's talk about how we can work together to get that done'. Is it too much to ask that our councillors should show a bit of common sense and consideration for the people who elect them?
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We ought to be proud that we have such a dynamic, forward-looking and caring, local authority which is committed to getting rid of obvious death-traps across the Borough.
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Well, Simone, if you'd already emailed someone in "authority"' why did you suggest someone else did the same?
Well, Bowden, it is all to do with conspiracy theories and mini Tesco's and accusations of naivety. You just need to follow the postings a bit closer and you'll get there.
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I personally am not surprised with it still having the concrete floor. I know many kids have minor accidents and accidents can happen anywhere however 'safe' you make things but I remember many years ago a child died at woodbank park fell off the top of the slide onto concrete. Anything that minimises the risk is a good thing (rubber flooring etc). However it seems to be going the other way lately with parks like Lyme Park and High Lane having rocks as steps to slides etc. Speaking of which a child cut their head open on that only a few weeks back.
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We ought to be proud that we have such a dynamic, forward-looking and caring, local authority which is committed to getting rid of obvious death-traps across the Borough.
Rubish read the postings proper on this forum . I have asked the councill over the years for trees to be trimmed footpaths to be repaired .rubish to be cleared not only in marple but in the area werei live lower fold
And it's been done . Ok sometime had to jog there memories . But got there in the end .
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I personally am not surprised with it still having the concrete floor. I know many kids have minor accidents and accidents can happen anywhere however 'safe' you make things but I remember many years ago a child died at woodbank park fell off the top of the slide onto concrete. Anything that minimises the risk is a good thing (rubber flooring etc). However it seems to be going the other way lately with parks like Lyme Park and High Lane having rocks as steps to slides etc. Speaking of which a child cut their head open on that only a few weeks back.
Surely falling on hard things and getting hurt is part of the learning curve.
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Surely falling on hard things and getting hurt is part of the learning curve.
Unfortunately not in today's society . No such thing as health safety when I was young ....
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Surely falling on hard things and getting hurt is part of the learning curve.
It used to be but now it's a reason for the parents to make a claim against the Council.
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Surely falling on hard things and getting hurt is part of the learning curve.
Agree for the majority of minor accidents but not for the (admittedly very rare) fatalities (such as the Woodbank Park incident).
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Agree for the majority of minor accidents but not for the (admittedly very rare) fatalities (such as the Woodbank Park incident).
I feel the spongy concrete stuff is dangerous, kids learn that landing on concrete gives a soft landing.
I don;t know about the Woodbank park thing, from your description, it sounds like a kid climbed something high and fell onto something hard. you can;t just ban high things.
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Hey Duke, can we not speculate regarding a child's fatality when we are not in the possession of all the facts please. A touch insensitive (although I know you would not intend to be).
Ta.
RH.
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Did the risk assessment include the risk of the children being unfit due to not having the play equipment?
It is include the risk of them climbing on the roof of buildings as they have nowhere else to climb?
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Looks like Windlehurst Park is another to have suffered removal of equipment for the same reasons as Marple Recreation Ground.
Local residents have reacted by setting up a new Friends Group, see here: www.windlehurstpark.co.uk
This is what is needed for Marple Rec too if there is any chance of getting new play equipment.
Good luck to the new Friends of Windlehurst Park!
I understand that 9 parks across Stockport have suffered a similar fate.
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Looks like Windlehurst Park is another to have suffered removal of equipment for the same reasons as Marple Recreation Ground.
Local residents have reacted by setting up a new Friends Group, see here: www.windlehurstpark.co.uk
This is what is needed for Marple Rec too if there is any chance of getting new play equipment.
Good luck to the new Friends of Windlehurst Park!
I understand that 9 parks across Stockport have suffered a similar fate.
<<This is what is needed for Marple Rec too if there is any chance of getting new play equipment.>>
Well, come on you lot. No point in whingeing on here if you aren't prepared to roll up your sleeves and get involved. And yes, I have volunteered a few posts back. Not much use in the heavy lifting department but I've served on organising committees and rallied the troops in a number of ventures so I know the score. I'm prepared to be the secretary if we can whip up a committee.
Any offers? We could have a meeting in that nice little room in The Hatters.
There would seem to be two issues here. The playground equipment is one and the loos are the other. Without them the picnic area is doomed to non-use by families.
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As some of you may (by the sounds of things) have heard.
Up here on Windlehurst Road we are trying to form a support group for the park.
Within 24 hrs we set up a website, a Facebook Group and a Twitter account.
We have also started leaflet distribution and all shops in High Lane have window stickers in place.
As you will be aware, keeping momentum up is hard but we will try.
If anybody wants to 'get involved' with the Windlehurst Road group please let us know. We are looking for permanent Chair, Sec, Tres etc as we are now 'recognised' by the Council.
Anyway, think we all need to keep talking about these park issues regarding Arkwright, Compstall etc and share thoughts and ideas.
Our Website is http://www.windlehurstpark.co.uk/ (link corrected - Howard)
Please join the Facebook group at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/684288424963742/
Our Twitter is: @WindlehurstPark or https://twitter.com/WindlehurstPark
And Our online petition (which we would like you to sign) is: http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/windlehurst-park-equipment-replacement
Many Thanks
Jamie
Email: park@windlehurstpark.co.uk
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As some of you may (by the sounds of things) have heard.
Up here on Windlehurst Road we are trying to form a support group for the park.
Within 24 hrs we set up a website, a Facebook Group and a Twitter account.
We have also started leaflet distribution and all shops in High Lane have window stickers in place.
As you will be aware, keeping momentum up is hard but we will try.
If anybody wants to 'get involved' with the Windlehurst Road group please let us know. We are looking for permanent Chair, Sec, Tres etc as we are now 'recognised' by the Council.
Anyway, think we all need to keep talking about these park issues regarding Arkwright, Compstall etc and share thoughts and ideas.
Our Website is http://www.windlehurstpark.co.uk/ (link corrected - Howard)
Please join the Facebook group at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/684288424963742/
Our Twitter is: @WindlehurstPark or https://twitter.com/WindlehurstPark
And Our online petition (which we would like you to sign) is: http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/windlehurst-park-equipment-replacement
Many Thanks
Jamie
Email: park@windlehurstpark.co.uk
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Have signed your petition. As far as Marple Recc is concerned flogging a dead horse comes to mind.
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Not only has the Rec been stripped of swings etc but also Windlehurst park on Windlehurst Rd and the park on Brinkburn Rd.
All apparatus taken away within the same time period but for what reason?
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Presumably the same reason that the council gave for removing the equipment from the rec:
Here's an official reply from the Council:
"Thank you for your enquiry relating to the removal of play equipment.
Play equipment requires compliant impact attenuating surfacing (IAS) following the EN standard (BSEN1176 / BSEN1177), which came into force on 1st January 1998. The play equipment that has been removed was not compliant with the current standards however for many years the risk rating was such that the equipment was left in situ.
The Council has now received legal advice in relation to the risks in having play equipment that is not compliant surfacing. It has been stated that the Council either needs to replace or remove this equipment.
This is something that the Council must now do. At sites where there is funding available play equipment will be re-supplied. At sites where there is no money available then the removal of the equipment and the surfacing does not hinder any future work to re-supply when and if money becomes available.
There was no consultation simply because there was only one possible outcome at this time, the equipment had to be removed.
However the Council will continue to work with any interested groups to secure funding for a new facility."
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Council probably scared of being sued if some kid falls off a swing, so easier to simply remove them. We need some new councillors with balls! (but please please please not the Ed' variety)
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Council probably scared of being sued if some kid falls off a swing, so easier to simply remove them. We need some new councillors with balls! (but please please please not the Ed' variety)
If the money's not available what do you do .
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Council probably scared of being sued if some kid falls off a swing, so easier to simply remove them. We need some new councillors with balls! (but please please please not the Ed' variety)
Balls for what? So that they can tough it out when kids fall of swings and allow no win no fee lawyers to drag the Council through the courts, costing the Council tax payer thousands defending a lost cause.
New Councillors? Why don't you stand? Perhaps you've not got the balls!
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Balls for what? So that they can tough it out when kids fall of swings and allow no win no fee lawyers to drag the Council through the courts, costing the Council tax payer thousands defending a lost cause.
New Councillors? Why don't you stand? Perhaps you've not got the balls!
Now were on to balls would anyone like to sponsor one Compstall cricket club . ;)
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If the money's not available what do you do .
It's all down to priorities. If the council really wanted to find the money to make the swings safe they would do so. Don't forget, they have had sixteen years to find the money to install the required 'impact attenuating surfacing', and they have just not bothered. See
Here's an official reply from the Council:
Play equipment requires compliant impact attenuating surfacing (IAS) following the EN standard (BSEN1176 / BSEN1177), which came into force on 1st January 1998. The play equipment that has been removed was not compliant with the current standards however for many years the risk rating was such that the equipment was left in situ.
The Council has now received legal advice in relation to the risks in having play equipment that is not compliant surfacing. It has been stated that the Council either needs to replace or remove this equipment.
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This article in last week's Stockport Times seems to give insight into why play equipment was removed. I sympathise with the injury to this woman's child (I say that as a parent) but I wonder if she sees the irony in her actions; raising money for more play equipment on one hand, but then suing the council on the others depleting already depleted resources. I also wonder if she has considered the effect of her actions on some of the more deprived areas of Stockport, where play equipment provides a vital source of activity and leisure in places where there is little already.
http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/mum-sue-council-after-little-7750517 (http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/mum-sue-council-after-little-7750517)
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This article in last week's Stockport Times seems to give insight into why play equipment was removed. I sympathise with the injury to this woman's child (I say that as a parent) but I wonder if she sees the irony in her actions; raising money for more play equipment on one hand, but then suing the council on the others depleting already depleted resources. I also wonder if she has considered the effect of her actions on some of the more deprived areas of Stockport, where play equipment provides a vital source of activity and leisure in places where there is little already.
http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/mum-sue-council-after-little-7750517 (http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/mum-sue-council-after-little-7750517)
While I agree that the council have a responsibility to maintain the equipment properly, it's sad that this mother's first thought is "Who can I sue?" rather than "Why didn't I look after my child better?".
Whatever possessed her to allow a five year old to climb up on to a 6'6" high slide?