The Ballad Of St Botolph's

Although I was not to see victory,

Oh the land the council did try to sell,

Now ours it is to show and to tell,

To make our own we do beg and do plea.

Of what do you see to be on our land?

A box-park, theatre or a concert hall?

Perhaps something that would please old John Ball?

But just if the planners would understand!

What about the elephant in the room?

Not the giant one, Alumno I say.

What would John Ball have to say about it?

Don't build on that land, don't make it my tomb.

And then Alumno would appeal one day!

I reckon he'd say, bog off you old twits.

But before I finish my little tale,

Thanks to one and to one and to all!

Pearson and Liddy, Hazell and Jarvis,

Oxford and Barton, Loveland and McLean,

Dundas and Chuah, all who were named.

If Alumno comes back, the ship has sailed.

Victoria Weaver

Prospective Labour borough councillor

Ipswich Road, Colchester