WESTLEIGH Park was one of my favourite childhood haunts.

One of my strong memories is the day I slipped off the back seat of the banana boat while it was in full flight and didn’t make a fast enough getaway.

It swung back under my brown and white gingham dress and ripped it apart from the smocked bodice.

I didn’t half get in bother when I got home.

I had a lucky escape, but I was one of the rough riders, not content with taking a normal ride and always making the equipment seem more adventurous.

Last time I visited the park I was so disappointed to see it devoid of play things.

Now thankfully it has come alive and being enjoyed again, but what a difference to what it was.

We had, apart from swings and the banana boat, the king’s crown, the horse and a cone- like swing we used to “bump”.

Now they have a brightly coloured cradle swing, zip wire and new swings among others, What fun again for the kids. I just hope the area’s ne’er do wells and vandals keep their destructive mitts off them – and that someone will keep the area and sandpit litter free.

The days of the full time parky, who kept young visitors under control and was feared by everyone, are long gone.