I UNDERSTAND that sometimes events conspire to ruin younger people's enjoyment over half term. Sometimes they are unavoidable, such as with the unfortunate closure of Meadowlands due to a burst pipe. However, some events can occur seemingly without thought or planning that compound that situation. We had our granddaughters to stay over the half term break and we had promised them a few 'wet and wild' sessions at Meadowlands. They were disappointed that the facility was closed when we went on Sunday with a sign on the door, but at least accepted that these things happen and we may be able to go when the repairs were completed later in the week. We were, however, able to enjoy the play equipment in the Meadows instead with a promise that we could come down the next day to play there again. When we arrived the next day, without any prior notice, the smaller children's climbing frame and slide had been demolished and a security fence erected. There was no action taking place and a week later, no work was being undertaken to place a new piece of equipment in its place. This is when explanations were running out for two very disappointed girls. Why oh why was such an act committed by the town council at such a busy time when children were on holiday? One can understand that sometimes emergency action has to be taken if an important defect that could cause harm to children is found, but we had been using it the previous day without any problem. Surely it would have been sensible to start the work one week later and then continue with the new construction or installation of the new equipment instead of leaving the site looking like 'Steptoe and Sons' scrapyard. Iain Andrews Tavistock