The decision by Charles I in 1637, to enclose the land now known as Richmond Park in southwest London might not have been popular with local residents at the time, but it more than likely saved the green space from being built upon in the future.
To this day, the 2,360-acre site is home to over 650 deer, but for me, other than the abundance of wildlife, the most striking thing about the park is the way motorists stop religiously for deer when the animals show even the slightest sign of wanting to cross the road.
Elsewhere in London, if a group of kids crosses a road causing – heaven forbid – the traffic to slow, drivers at best hoot their horns and at worst fail to see the children at all.
In 2010, 2,134 children were injured on London’s roads.
I don’t know why drivers seem happy to wait patiently as a group of animals dawdles across a road, and yet behave dangerously when children are around, but it’s given me an idea for a new line of safety clothing for pedestrians and cyclists – whatever their age.
Forget cycle helmets and high-visibility tabards, the do-it-yourself headgear pictured right will not only make you stand out, it will bring traffic to a halt.
Dragon’s Den here I come.
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