I WAS very pleased to see an article showing the expected re-development of the Head of Steam railway museum at Darlington’s North Road station (Echo, Feb 17). I thought that the outside of the building and the surrounding development looked outstanding.

I also thought, while observing these plans, that very close to this station is a unique gem in our town, and this is the Denes. How many towns have parks running one after another and each with its own definitive past?

Why not put these Denes back to their originality, starting with the Paddling Dene. I am sure that the paddling pool and the sand pit are still under the sod and were just filled in. Then there’s the Football Dene, the Bowling Dene, with its swiss chalet, the Swing Dene taking us all the way to the Pierremont Dene.

Have them as memories of the past. Have a sculptor making models of families as they used to be. I am sure they could be small museums of their own rather than the muck heaps they have been reduced to.

Pat Wilson, Darlington.