John Stevens interviewed by Mark Baggot, 4 August 2015

John Stevens (JS) interviewed by Mark Baggot (MB), 4 August 2015. JS describes earliest memories of Abbey Park, brother first introduced him to park when they lived nearby. Mentions visits for boating lake, taking picnics. JS comments on sights and smells of Abbey Park Show, went every year to visit Flower Show and watch fireworks. Recalls firefighters attending, looking at their fire engines. Details personal relationship with park, initially visiting with brother, later taking his wife and children. Mentions finding out his father had been part of a British Legion Band who played regularly in Abbey Park, pavilion now has personal significance to him. Describes physical landscape of park, collection of spaces which are all interconnected. JS describes how his appreciation for park has changed throughout his life, interest as child was exploration and excitement. Anecdote about being chased by a policeman because he was climbing the ruins of the Abbey, managed to get away because he was wearing roller-skates. Mentions as an adult he has greater appreciation for history of Abbey Park and care taken to maintain it. JS suggests Abbey Park allowed him to experience the 'countryside' having grown up in city. Concludes by suggesting Abbey Park feels like second home to him.