A RECENT visit to Southampton Common has persuaded me to address a few issues that have been vexing me for some time.

Seats: as a wheelchair pusher in my seventh decade I appreciate a sit down during our perambulations, but seats are becoming as rare as hens teeth on the common.

Just two remain beside the ornamental lake, well three if you count the one in the water. Why haven’t the missing seats been replaced?

There was another on the slope that overlooks the model boat pond, a beautiful place to sit and admire the view, where has it gone? Two more were beside the pond, now there is only one, and a pretty pathetic one at that.

As for the pond itself, there was a time when numerous boats sailed on it, a real feature of the common landscape, the blanket weed which half covers it now makes it totally unfit for purpose and in deoxygenating the water, doesn’t do the wildlife any favours either.

At least the paddling pool shines out like a good deed in a naughty world, even if it is only half the size it once was.

We oldies enjoy watching the antics of the little ones, we’d like it even more if there were a few seats around the perimeter, some of us aren’t up to sprawling on the grass, and why does it close at 6pm?

I am sure lots of working mums and dads would bring their children to take advantage of a few extra opening hours, as a girl I remember children playing there till dusk, indeed why a closing time at all?

And please don’t quote ‘Health and Safety’ at me, it’s a nine-inch paddling pool, not the Solent, and if vandalism is the issue, a 3ft fence is no deterrent.

Last but not least, what is wrong with the water features? They look so pretty when they are on, and the children love them, but I rarely see them working.

If they are broke, mend them, if they are not, put them on and leave them on, it is their function.

Come on Southampton City Council, help us to enjoy our Common.

V MOFFATT, Southampton.