Sir – How I enjoyed reading about the row over the Trap Grounds. I agree totally with Dr Tim King — open the place up, let the children in, etc.

Trouble is, I’ve always found the place creepy and uninviting. The lake is lovely, the new walkway is good, but it is still creepy. In the 1940s, we used to cycle around there, leave our bikes and go in — or try to as it was very overgrown. Someone would say “what’s that?” and we would scream and run to get out. I still feel that now. I go in a little way with my dog, come over all creepy again and walk quickly out.

Our joy was the wooden drawbridge at the end of Frenchay Road, running up and jumping off, and lifting it up for boats, sometimes getting a shilling for our efforts.

As for the wildlife in the Trap Grounds — I’ve only ever seen a squirrel.

K Del Nevo, Oxford