NORTHERNHAY, EXETER, 1845,

From,  The Exeter Flying Post, 3rd April 1845:

"We notice , with much pleasure, that the Improvement of Northernhay has been commenced in good earnest, and that the most active endeavours are making to render this beautiful Walk one of the principal ornaments and attractions of our City.  There are few places which can boast of a more admirable locality for healthy recreation than Northernhay affords to the Inhabitants of Exeter, and we wonder that it should have been so long neglected.  As a Promenade it will be peculiarly interesting, not only to our Fellow Citizens, but to the many Strangers who delight to pay "Semper Fidelis" a visit in the Summer Season.   The lofty Trees, whose umbrageous foliage adds a charm to the spot, form a prominent scene in every view of the Metropolis of the West, and the passing Traveller admires the interest thus imparted to the scene.   Nor must it be forgotten that Northernhay is associated with thoughts of the "Olden Time" - those Castle Walls which there look down upon us are the mute records of former ages - the memorials of days long past - the silent emblems which remind us of gallant and noble Ancestors, whose names and brilliant deeds are imperishably written in the Annals of Old England.  We are sure it must be gratifying to all to find that such a spot will now be effectually rescued from that neglect which has so long been manifested  towards it."

Neglect?  It is  May, 2021 and the unpainted iron gates,  the blocked access, especially the access to Rougemont Gardens, the disused, locked-away, decaying bandstand, the ugly steel fencing, the tatty notices on the notice boards, (why notice-boards in a park?) the grafitti on the castle walls, on the benches and elsewhere, the pointless steel gates blocking Athelstan's tower  the many sensible regulations that nobody enforces, et cetera, might suggest that it is time the City Council thought hard and did something to  sort out and smarten up the Gardens before the many Strangers who delight to pay "Semper Fidelis"  a visit in the Summer Season are with us again.