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16
Council whereby these three improvements might be simultaneously
provided. If the sites of Bangor Court and Wilmot's Buildings were
added to the Churchyard, there is reason to believe that the Ecclesiastical
Authorities would not object to Tabard Street being continued
through the Churchyard—thus restoring the original line of the old
Roman Road. If Long Lane were to be widened by taking certain
houses on the south and north side, direct communication between
the Metropolitan improvements effected by the making of Marshalsea
Road and the reconstruction of Star Corner would be securedThese
proposals are before the County Council, and it is eminently
to be desired that this improvement may be regarded as Metropolitan
in character. The cost, of course, is far too large for any single
parish to take in hand, nor has this Vestry the necessary staff. At
the same time, the necessity for the improvement is due to causes
over which the Parish has little or no control.
The Bermondsey Vestry have urged the Vestry of St. George
the Martyr to reconsider the grant which was promised in 1893,
towards the purchase for an open space of the Guy's Burying Ground
in Nelson Place. The Vestry then decided that, subject to the
statutory powers being obtained, a grant of £164 should be made
towards the cost; but it was afterwards found that the price of the
ground will be considerably more than was originally supposed. This
Vestry was, therefore, asked to increase its contribution to £210. To
their regret this request had to be refused, on the ground that the
contribution already promised seemed adequate, having regard to the
fact that a comparatively small number of the children of the Parish
would make use of this ground; and secondly, because other open
spaces are required in the Parish itself.
An effort is being made, and at the date of this Report no
decision has been arrived at, to open West Square as a playground
for children. At present the ground is in a somewhat
dilapidated condition, owing to the fact that the inhabitants of
the Square are not disposed to provide sufficient funds for its
proper maintenance. The ground landlord, Colonel Temple-West,
has been communicated with, and there is reason to hope that,
subject to the approval of the inhabitants of the Square, it may be
possible to secure this as an open space for that district. The