Volume Five - The Age of Decline & Crass Stupidity - The legacy and recent developments . . .

As a former member of IOSH, the Chartered body for health and safety professionals, I could just imagine being under cross-examination at the Coroner's Court and stating that the deceased had simply expired because they were unfortunate to have played at the park at the wrong time of year, but that I could report some good news; the dogs had fully recovered and were wagging their tails again now!

In another report of May 2014, the same newspaper [092] asks why the Plymouth Park grass is "two tone" and apparently saturated. The responsible body, according to the article is the Welsh Assembly Government. The article goes on to elaborate that:- ". . . the park is now under the direct control of Edwina Hart – the Welsh Labour Government’s Minister for Economy, Science and Transport. Mrs Hart’s ministerial responsibilities include “bringing derelict land in Wales into use or improving its appearance” and “environmental improvements in relation to industrial and commercial developments”. Despite this portfolio responsibility none of the promised landscaping was ever carried out. Locals say this is a park that doesn't even have a single park bench."

I'm no expert in landfill sites but common sense suggests that it may be the right time for some responsible body to commission an independent professional investigation of the site to ensure that it is safe to install a park bench in Plymouth Park in the first place! On a positive note, the marina is clearly an interesting place to live. In February 2016 a gentleman named David Harrold sent an email:- 'Hello, Just to say thanks for the wonderful information on your Penarth Dock project. I moved to Penarth in 1999. I now live on my sailing boat which is moored in Penarth marina. It is very humbling to know more about the history of where I live and its significance.'

David kindly sent some images of the marina, his everyday environment, which does tend to temper my views toward the development a little, however, it would be a lot better if it were not 'a marina surrounded by modern anywhere water-front housing.' (source of comment - 'A Guide to the Industrial Archaeology of South-East Wales - A Powerhouse of Industry' [364]).