I think you hit a nerve Steve

[perseus]

http://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/news/local/paddling-pools-to-re-open-in-sunny-hartlepool-1-5863940

[stokoe]

a lot of of the numpties in the town(not all)  don't know how much this site
helps them.

[steveL]

  well that plan worked!

Pleased for the traders in Seaton who for once must be having a boom period and, after last year's nightmare Summer, they deserve a break.

Just to say that HBC aren't the only ones who get things wrong. I visited Hardwick Hall Park, nr Sedgefield, a few days ago. It's a nice little walk for the kids around the woods and lake if anyone's interested. Durham County have spent a fortune on it lately, mostly grant funded, and there's a new modern cafe with outside seats if you fancy a cuppa - like we did.

However, even though it was not quite 4pm and the place was chokka with visitors, the Cafe had just shut. Council staff you see, who absurdly finish at 4, come what may, and even though we're in the middle of the longest heat wave for years. A lot of Lattes and Ice Creams went unsold that day and presumably even more over the whole of the current hot spell.

The Cafe is subsidised by the council, but then it wouldn't have to be subsidised quite so much this year if they had the sense to cash in on the good weather and stayed open longer. Only in England.