SUN-BATHING CRAZE

Evening Star, Issue 20311, 21 October 1929, Page 8

SUN-BATHING CRAZE

TO BE MIMED IN RESEMT PARK [>mi Aisocution—By Tcleeraph- -Copyright. LONDON, October 19. Mr George Lansbury (First Commissioner of Works), who Is fast becoming the fairy godmother of the Ministry, and is often photographed sitting m children’s swings in the parks and playgrounds, announces that he will allow sun bathing in Repent Park. He said; “ T am arranging a" special site lor sun bathing, with little shelter As recently as two years ago people were fined for sun bathing in the parks. —Australian Press Association.

RAILINGS TO GO

NEW SCHEMES FOR LONDON PARKS. It is interesting to notice that Mr George Lansbury, First Commissioner of Works at Home, is planning the removal of a number of park fences m London. “I am strongly in favour or more shelters and more' bathing facilities and the removal of unnecessary restrictions to the enjoyment of the parks,” said Mr Lansbury to a newspaper represen. tative in a talk on how ho “ was getting on with his department so far.” “This is why i nave agreed to the removal of railings where they are not wanted in Greenwich Park, Hyde Park, Regent’s . Park, and elsewhere. . Such, places ought to be made as pleasant and useful as possible,” Mr Lansbury continued. “The first half-dozen seats will, I hope, bo placed in Trafalgar square in the next two or three weeks, not, as stated in one report, in the next inw days. The question of flowers in Trafalgar square has not yet been put up to me. I cannot say at once what might be done about it. “ 1 think there should be shelters somewhere for children in Bushey Park, where a boating lake has just been made. The trouble is that such things are not yet provided for in our estimates, and we have to scrape round to get even the seats for Trafalgar square. “It is up to the people who want all these things to bestir themselves to create a favoura J public opinion, so that the money tor them is lorthcommS* SUNLIGHT LEAGUE. “ For the present I must go slowly, but I should like to say that my department is open and ready to listen to suggestions. The proposal of the Sunlight League for facilities on the bank of the Serpentine in Hyde Park for sun bathing and for mixed bathing is now under consideration. “ My own attitude is quite sympathetic. There are not nearly enough places in London For bathing. A liile spot like the Serpentine cannot be used by women at all at present, merely because of the lack of dressing rooms.” Air Lansbury added that he did not see why sun bathers should have to wear any clothes at all, provided accommodation could be found for the bathers. He also confessed that he would like to see the parks kept open all night, since there was no moral distinction between parks and open spaces, often quite near them, which could bo visited at all hours. He feared,_ however, tha outcry which might be raised fay people who anticipated wrongful us® of the parks at night, notwithstanding the fact that open commons and heaths do not qiuse any scandal.