People have expressed their sadness and anger over a council’s decision not to bring back an ice rink. Chichester District Council hoped to return an ice rink to Priory Park for Christmas, which was last situated there in 2018, after including it in its project proposals for the year. However, the council announced the festive addition, which welcomed over 19,000 skaters, was not feasible due to “costs”.
Now, residents have voiced their frustration and disappointment over the decision, directing their anger towards people who objected to the ice rink during its short stay in the city. Chichester Anti-Recreation Partnership, a satirical social media profile set up “to add more fun to Chichester, highlight local absurdities and to call for more focus on the younger residents of the city”, has even erected a sign in the park to commemorate the loss. A sign has been set up in the park commemorating the loss for another year (Image: Chichester Anti-Recreation Partnership) It reads: “Priory Park Ice Rink 2018, gone but not forgotten (by anyone under 70).
A rare joy, frozen out by a few. “Still missed by the young, vetoed by the grumpy.” Concerns regarding the potential return of the rink were brought to councillors in a cabinet meeting on January 9, when Reverend Canon Bruce Ruddock said it was “seriously problematic” and “left deep wounds” for the community near the park, calling for consideration of other locations.
During the rink’s run, the council rec.
