I HAVE to applaud the content of the letter from MJ Ricketts (No more grass, WGS 21/7/16) which highlights the dearth of grassed areas in and around Cirencester where young children might go to exercise.

It’s my experience and belief that an energetic child will in later years be a healthy adult. 

When at Cirencester Grammar School in the mid 50s our lunch breaks usually consisted a sandwich and about 45 minutes of ad hoc football on huge areas of meticulously tended pitches.

After school and homework we played more football at home in South Cerney.

Then, if good enough, we represented the school on the equally large pitches of other schools including Deer Park. (Rugby, introduced around this time came as something of a shock – and was met with no little hostility!)

In advancing years now, but still active and fit for my age, I have often wondered if those hours of enjoyable exercise in days past contributed in some measure to my relative good health now.

I firmly believe that they did. 

Maybe with the attraction of hand-held electricals, today’s youth might be missing out on the benefit of exercise. Then again it may be in my genes.

My father was captain of Cirencester Town FC and – fit as butcher’s dogs – the team swept all before them locally in the mid 30s.

Medals in those days, believe it or not, were made from gold and silver and he won quite a few and despite smoking like a chimney and enjoying scrumpy he lived a healthy long life after retirement.

The value of activity might be appreciated by a reading of the regime which the Champion 2 mile ‘chaser Sprinter Sacre was subject to in the hope of reaching a first title: “.....he returned to a full winter of work as a three-year-old that would have included a regular groundwork session to develop the core muscles which are now accepted as the vital base for an athlete’s frame whether it be carried on two legs or on four”.

Maybe those charged with ensuring the health of our youth could re-assess the local need for safe, open grass spaces as advocated by your correspondent.

ROGER GOUGH
Minchinhampton