Letter: Once It’s Gone, It’s Gone for Good

Published on: 1 Dec, 2013
Updated on: 1 Dec, 2013

From Georgina Cranwell

Almost sixteen years ago I left England to live in America, and one of my greatest pleasures when returning home to visit England, is taking photographs and soaking up incredible views of the beautiful English countryside that has somehow managed to survive the never-ending urban sprawl.

Please don’t destroy these green belt areas that are literally precious jewels nestled away in the quaint old English countryside. After all, it’s what makes England unique. Appreciate not only this land that is loaned to you, but also listen to the local people who speak with passion and vision and are trying to preserve the land for future generations.

Remember, once it’s gone, it’s gone for good.

Responses to Letter: Once It’s Gone, It’s Gone for Good

Carrie Cotterill Reply

December 1, 2013 at 2:37 pm

Although I don’t live in Guildford anymore, one of the things from the early to mid 80s that has always stuck in my mind is the beauty of the surrounding countryside and some of the great memories it has provided: map reading and orienteering at Newlands Corne; adopting my first dog; being so close to some of those beautiful villages; travelling from Guildford to Bordon via the Hog’s Back, beautiful in the summer and autumn.

As I looked at some of my old haunts on Google Maps I actually didn’t recognise them and I was very sad. I am one of the people lucky enough to be able to recall it’s beauty how it was. I am also a small needle in a haystack and no more want it to change again.

The fact is no one realises what they have until it is gone. So the aim of the game must be to make people realise they do have a say before it has all gone. My passion for Guildford, its surrounding villages and Surrey generally is a historic one.

On the flip-side of the coin I also think other than while defending our green belt and countryside we also need to offer other possibilities and alternative solutions instead of them being hoist upon us by people who theorise and come up with the easiest, cheapest, most profitable solution.