01:
Access to the circus was the main impediment to local elderly people with the steps proving too steep for many of them to climb.
Given the physical limitations of many of the group, and the issues with providing access, there was a desire that the base level of the circus should be made as much a part of the circus as possible, and make it a space that they can benefit from the sense of having an outdoor space to go, especially when there are events on. Provision for this might include: seating, shelter etc
02:
Opinions on seating were very clear. There needed to be more benches all around the circus, including at the bottom.
Armrests and backs were the most important features, to provide support both while sitting down and getting up and down. Wood was seen as vulnerable to vandalism, and concrete too cold, so metal was the preferred material.
03:
If it becomes possible for the group to gain access to the circus, or if the bottom level is made in some way available to them, there was a desire to use the circus as a summer/outdoor setting for many of their group sessions & classes and also that there would be music in the circus to sit and enjoy.
Suggested sessions included bingo, keep fit classes, arts & crafts and first aid courses, as well as a place to hold group discussions with tea & coffee.
Seated table-top games such as chess, dominoes and cards were also suggested, as was that the circus should be a place for reading
04:
Crime prevention and security were important to many amongst the group. There were a number of calls for a stronger police presence around the circus, including a suggestion that patrolling mounted police be best, both for security, and also as a way to appeal to young people. It was felt that efforts should be made to speak to the youth about crime etc.
05:
Although the group felt that while the wild flowers were lovely, and loved their continuity and variety over the seasons, most felt that they lacked impact, and perhaps a scheme of planting that was neater, denser and lower to the ground would be better.
Comments were also made that local kids regularly damage the flowers.
06:
The history of the area was very important to the group, with WWII, immigration and the changing face of the area all being important as well as talking about the life of the area now. There was a sense that looking forward and looking back are equally important.
The two most popular suggestions about methods to tell this history were either through murals/billboards around the circus or through events where films are shown or stories told
