Whilst looking through some old archives recently, we came across this poem, written by HADRA resident Diane Johansen and published in a 2006 edition of the Hartley News. 15 years on, the situation certainly isn’t any better and is arguably considerably worse!
Ode to Old Coulsdon
“Oh, it’s progress, indeed,” said the man in the hat
As the flint walls came tumbling down
And there in their stead stood a thin wooden board
In an incongruous cheap shade of brown.
“Oh, it’s progress, indeed”, said the man in the hat
As the roof tiles from rafters were torn,
And the beams that had proudly held walls with their might
Were now tossed, bruised, battered and sawn.
“Oh, it’s progress, indeed”, said the man in the hat
As the flowers and grass turned to mire,
And the tarmac van hovered to spew out its load
And encompass the garden with fire
“Oh, it’s progress, indeed”, said the man in the hat
“Why, the house that they sold housed just four.
See, they’ve done a good deed and their pockets are full;
Don’t worry, they’ve broken no law.”
“Oh, it’s progress, indeed”, said the man in the hat
But I looked at the future and cried
For the village I loved as it was, is no more
And the place I remember has died.”
Diane Johansen
