Kmflett's Blog

Feargal Sharkey has posted on social media images of a North London golf course being watered. The context is that there is a hosepipe ban and the area is in effect in drought.

Below is what the Minister responsible Denis Howell had to say about this in the Commons debate on the 1976 Drought Act (4th August 1976). The Act came into force on 24th August 1976

Hon. Members have mentioned sport and recreation. Naturally we want common sense to apply here, and we shall be telling regional authorities to exercise the maximum flexibility and discretion. But even in the regions where there is plenty of water now we shall have to take care. We do not know how long this drought will last. We have had two dry summers and one-very dry winter. It we have another, even those areas that well off will be in difficulty. We would expect water to be available if turf has to be laid at Lord’s or Wimbledon for next season and priority to be given, for example, to watering the greens rather than the fairways on golf courses. But if we have to make a judgment between terminating or severely rationing the supply of water to households and the continuance of sport, we shall have to get our priorities right. We should be open to great criticism if we did not err on the side of caution. However, we shall do out best. Although there will be no blanket exceptions for sport, we are not trying to put it out of business.