Don't dream it's over

Well, THEY did it, CGP won the referendum...by a 2% majority which, by the way, is less than the majority in the original consultation two years ago which those of us who wanted to save the Gardens won by 5% and were ignored. For info on the previous consultation see here
Back then, the local paper reports "You say No to Union Terrace plans but only just"

Seems that money DOES talk...


Here's the stats:
Online votes: Retain UTG 12,274, City Garden Project 16,428;  
Telephone votes: Retain UTG: 4081, City Garden Project: 5073
Postal ballot result: Retain UTG 24,820, City Garden Project 23,800 

From the start, the CWP had the unfair advantage of being able to spend endless money  because they are a private concern and were not included in the £8,000 ceiling like the campaign groups were!!! This included non-stop radio advertising on local radio, double page adverts in local papers (papers btw which peddled out totally biased opinions and reporting in favour of the CWG), their Granite Web video in prominence in the Art Gallery during a high profile exhibition (disgusting - Council buildings should not have been allowed to be used for this and should have remained neutral), free pizzas to RGU and Aberdeen University students who came along to their presentations for a chat. How could the opposing campaign groups compete with that sort of bombardment?

I'm gutted and so very disappointed that many citizens of Aberdeen who voted for the CWG didn't take the time to find out what the "Retain" groups had to offer as an alternative to the proposed vandalism before putting their cross on the paper for the CWG. So many of them have now said that they thought it was time for a change and that the only way to improve and change the area was to vote for the Web.

I heard a DJ on the radio today comment that perhaps it was time that we left our stamp on the city for future generations just like the Victorians did. Well I agree with him to a certain extent, maybe we do want to leave our mark like they did but surely we don't have to destroy their gift to the us, the people of Aberdeen, to do it! There is an ugly building in Broad Street which is crying out to be knocked down and redeveloped...why not do it there!

So...in the words of Neil Finn - Don't dream it's over!
The battle might be won... and all that!

P.S. The majestic elm trees in Union Terrace Gardens are some of the last to be found in Northern Europe, are home to scores of crows and keep pollution from car fumes down in the city centre. They will be chopped down to be used in the pathways and roof in the Granite Web design. Please sign the petition if you care at all.

Thank you

http://www.petitiononline.co.uk/petition/save-the-200-year-old-elms-in-union-terrace-gardens-aberdeen/4168

I wrote this poem about 2 years ago and I haven't changed my mind in the slightest. Union Terrace Gardens are the centrepiece of  the beautiful city that I'm proud to live in and blend in wonderfully with the surrounding buildings as they were supposed to. To replace them with concrete walkways more suited to a motorway and to kill healthy 200 year old elm trees in order to do this is quite simply outrageous - a crime against nature.
Restoration is what's needed - they've been neglected for far too long. With a few additions such as a cafe, play park for children, better access and toilets (already there but have been closed for about a decade) the Gardens can be a place to be proud of once again and it won't cost millions.

I ♥ Union Terrace Gardens

We're told that it's a vision
a sight we need to see
But clearly what THEY'RE seeing
is not the same as me

I see a place of beauty
lost for ever more
Filled by vile concrete
a car park at its core?

I see the mighty elm trees
home to nesting crows
Chopped down, murdered, discarded
to solve the city's woes?

I see the lovely flower beds
designed with different blooms
Destroyed so they can raise them up
amongst the noise and fumes?

I see the happy trainey park
to generations past
How many more will use them
are we to be the last?

Restore to former glory
it's  plain enough to me
that this is what the people want
and what THEY need to see