Page 5 - Edition Summer 22 News and Views revised 31.05.pub (Read-Only)

The big, clumsy Lymington
ferry is churning its way to the
opposite bank to discharge its
cargo of cars and passengers
and the children’s sailing club
is in action. Their small,
coloured sails flit about like
butterflies over the surface. A
rowing club eight appears
round the bend, the men
synchronising their exertions
to a rhythmic chant and a
cruising yacht slips its moorings, to disappear on the tide for adventures unknown. The harbour
master is there, patrolling up and down in his small craft to check that all is well, and a swan
family glides calmly by.

It is not only the river which provides interest. In the Park itself impromptu ball games are being
organised on the grass; little girls are skipping or turning cartwheels; people are throwing balls for
dogs to chase and parents encourage toddlers to walk, where falling over cannot hurt. All these
activities seem to happen spontaneously and without conflict in the space and freedom which the
Park provides.

This is a place where I have often have interesting conversations with fellow observers of the
passing scene, as we share a park-bench by the river. A common interest in photography, or
delight in the antics of dogs may be found, or more serious conversations ensue. Leaving for
home, I reflect on how much we owe to the people who lived before us, who designed roads and
Parks, planted trees, dredged the main channel of the river, created colourful flower beds and
performed countless small tasks to make our living spaces so pleasant now. I hope that we may
treasure our inheritance and that we too, leave an environment and a legacy for future
generations to enjoy.

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The art of living must be studied, as must every art. It calls for imagination, so that
every advance, every change, is not merely a difference, but a creative act… Life
itself takes on new meaning. From Quaker faith and practice 21.21

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