Dear Wish Park Community, 

This petition has now been up for a month the support is unbelievable and now grown to over 1600 signatures, thank you all so much. On Monday we contacted the council and told them we have the signatures to go to the committee on the 14th November to present our petition and asked what they need from us. I have not heard from them all week, I chased mid week and I have asked our councillor to intervene and expedite a response. 

You will have seen Cllr Paul Nann has highlighted the issues in the Hovarian which is good and he has advised that council officers will be meeting park users to discuss the plans for the park in the future. As a petition with 1600 signatures we have asked to be included so we can ensure all your comments are considered, again we are awaiting a response. 

Over 140 people have provided comments when signing so far and I was trying to work out how to summarise and present these to the council. A friends suggestion was to use ChatGPT and hey presto it has come up with the below which I think is magic and reflective of all the comments I have seen. We will now go into preparing for the 14th November committee (assuming we get a response) but please keep pushing the petition until then as it will deliver a more powerful message the more signatures we get - dare I say 2000 looks possible?

Best Regards - Des 

Photo is from earlier today on the condemned pitches where topsoil was delivered by trucks, speaks for itself but suggested captions welcome. 

ChatGPTs summary of the petition comments: 
The comments express widespread concern and frustration regarding the deteriorating condition of Wish Park in Brighton and Hove since the suspension of the park keeper, Gerald. Many users of the park, including families and sports enthusiasts, have noticed the decline in its maintenance. They feel that it is the duty of the Brighton and Hove City Council to maintain the park and that its neglect is a significant issue. The comments highlight the importance of the park as a community resource, a space for sports, outdoor activities, and well-being, and a gathering place for all ages.

People are calling for the reinstatement of Gerald, the park keeper, whom they view as an essential and dedicated figure in the community. They express concerns about the safety of the football pitches, especially after the circus used them and left them in poor condition. Users stress the significance of the park for children's mental and physical health, and for the overall well-being of the local community. The neglect of the park is seen as a result of the council's short-term thinking and decisions that allowed the circus to damage the grounds.

Additionally, users mention the impact of the park's decline on various activities, including football, cricket, and playtime for children. They emphasize the need for better facilities, maintenance, and investment in the park. Many also criticize the council's priorities, suggesting that they focus on issues like parking while neglecting valuable community spaces.

In summary, the comments collectively call for the urgent attention of Brighton and Hove City Council to address the deteriorating state of Wish Park, reinstate the park keeper Gerald, and invest in the park's maintenance to ensure it remains a valuable and well-maintained community resource.