Olympian plan for Whitestone Pond is risible

WE laughed out loud when we read your article (Pond due for spruce-up before the Olympics, H&H July 24). Then we realised that it was not April 1 and that some of the councillors quoted were serious. Have they succumbed to Hadrianitis? Whitestone Pond is

WE laughed out loud when we read your article (Pond due for spruce-up before the Olympics, H&H July 24). Then we realised that it was not April 1 and that some of the councillors quoted were serious.

Have they succumbed to Hadrianitis? Whitestone Pond is not this Roman emperor's extravagant pool; it is not a 'nymphaeum' in need of 'grand columns, modern lighting, a York stone pavement' to become a 'plush meeting area'.

It is a reminder of Hampstead's history: 'an old horse pond where the animals were watered after the long pull up the hill' (Alan Farmer, Hampstead Heath, 1984). Let's not get silly and waste scarce money on a misguided folly.

Florence Pevsner

Wildwood Grove, NW3