STAFF REPORTER GETS THE OPINIONS OF RESIDENTS THEMSELVES
Pirton not pretty? Views differ in the village .Improving the Green may make all the difference
What’s wrong with Pirton? Nothing, say some, Everything, say others. Opinion seems to be sharply divided in the village following letters to this paper which arose from the proposal to build 36 houses there. One letter last week deplored the untidiness of the green, and the state of some paths and verges. This aroused strong feelings, particularly among those who have lived in the village all their lives. They felt Pirton was still lovely. But among the younger element there was the view that last week’s correspondent was justified in everything she said and had really touched a tender point.
So a staff reporter went along to Pirton to see how the village struck an outsider, to see if it really does need a clean up, and to discuss with some of the residents what might be done to improve it.
Dormitory One view put forward very quickly was that too many people used it solely as a dormitory – coming there to sleep but with their work and interests elsewhere. This could have some bearing on the patches which do show genuine signs of neglect – though in some cases it is suggested that what used to be carefully tended allotment or garden land is now going to weeds since it is earmarked for possible house-building.
Great Green, Pirton’s central point, is at the centre of the controversy for it stands at the gateway to the village and, in its present state, does not enhance what is fundamentally a very pretty spot. Mrs. L.A. Gazeley, who has lived in her house on Great Green for 34 years, described the green as an “eyesore” but thinks that it could be an asset to the village if it were grassed and looked after.
Good state When she first moved to the village the green was fenced in and kept in a good state but it had deteriorated over the years. At the moment the green is little more than an over-grown piece of wasteland, shoulder high with thistles and weeds, but there is a reason for its present condition. For, until very recently, no, either in Pirton or elsewhere, was certain of the rightful owner of the piece of land. Centuries ago it belonged to the lord of the manor, but in the early 19th century it was sold. And no one knows who bought it. In recent years the parish council have gone to great lengths to determine its ownership. Correspondence has even gone as far afield as Australia.
Handed over But now Great Green has been legally handed over to the parish council and already steps are being taken to improve its appearance. At the moment a plan is being prepared that will transform this part of Pirton and restore the green to its rightful position as hub of the village.
The village pond at Little Green also came in for some criticism in the letter (written by Mrs. J.L. Wood, of 29 High Street, Pirton). She referred to it as a lifeless rubbish dump and commented that it used to be the scene of bird life. Mrs. R. Titmuss, who keeps a shop at Little Green, would certainly not agree with Mrs. Wood. “I have lived here all my life – which is more than 70 years – and I don’t think the village gets any worse. The pond is an attractive part of the village and visitors always comment on it,” she said. Mrs. Titmuss view that Pirton was a very pretty village was supported by Mrs. E. Chapman of Hambridge Way and by Mr. B.C. Burton of Walnut Tree Lane. Mr. Burton said he had been in the village for 20 years and would not like to live anywhere else.
Many residents felt that more people should show willing and help keep paths and verges tidy and the grass cut. “Apathy usually gets the better of them,” commented one. Another lifelong resident of Pirton disliked the way some people use the village as a dormitory and spent most of their time away from it. “If they spent more time and energy in the village things would perhaps be a bit different,” she said.
A tour of the village proved that it is one of great charm and character spoiled only by a few weeds and overgrown hedgerows. There must surely be enough people who care sufficiently about the village to put this right.
Now that the problem of the village green has been sorted out, why not an entry in the Hertfordshire Best-kept Village competition next year?
