Bath Chronicle – 30 august 2005
Opponents must make a real case
– letter from Daniel Wiley
Once again, I feel I need to correct the rhetoric of a group of people who seem to be set on removing Bath Rugby from the city of Bath, but have yet to provide any reasonable arguments for this.
Regarding Bath Rugby’s legal position, it has been clearly judged that Bath Rugby’s activities are lega. To quote from Mr. justice Hart’s report: “there seems to me nothing in the express wording of the 1956 conveyance which would prevent the whole of the recreation Ground from being let on a commercial basis to a variety of clubs, bodies or organisations in such a way as to exclude the wider public for the duration of such lettings.”
However, it seems that these people are not willing to accept a legal position or a democratic opinion on the matter. Surely if there were in excess of 30,000 local residents opposed to Bath Rugby, as there are at least supporters of the club, it would result in significantly more than five people corresponding with the local paper? Concerning Mr. Inman’s only perceivable point in favour of removing Bath Rugby from the city centre, that of traffic and pollution, I can assure him, as someone who lives, drives and parks in the very heart of the city, that it is by far harder to park in the city centre on any given summer Saturday than it is during a home game.
It simply does niot make sense for many people to drive to such a sporting occasion, even out of town the car park required to house 10,000 people would be gross. If they were to move out of town, and therefore be forced to drive, this is the sort of ugly visage it would create.
Relating to Mr. Drew’s, increasingly incomprehensible, comments on the matter, the plans do indeed include ideas for revamping, improving and expanding all the sporting facilities on the site.
This would not only be of benefit to residents of all ages, but are also, in my opinion, long overdue.
Furthermore, I simply cannot believe he thinks a city with a club established 140 years ago, that has consistently performed at the very top of its sport is not, in some way, a sporting city.
With the support of the residents of Bath, the rugby club can, and will, produce a world-class facility that does indeed support a great number of sports, if you would take the time to read their proposal.
They will produce a facility that improves the architectural face of the Rec and, therefore, of Bath.
They will take steps to ease the traffic and pollution problems that occur.
It is my belief that those who so adamantly appose any such solution would be better employing their considerable time and effort ensuring that that the club does indeed live up to these obligations, rather than insisting on removing an institution that benefits bath so greatly and brings joy to so many.
I’d like to finsish by adding my support to Bob Calleja’s plans to develop the Rec in a away positive to all, and I know of many who agree.
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