REGENT’S PARK ON FRIDAY AFTERNOONS
Regent’s park
draws many people for many purposes. It is contained within a circle of
dominating, mainly residential, Georgian buildings, sinister in their vastness,
elegance and general plutocratic blankness. It contains, since 1955, the US
ambassador’s stately residence, set in 12 acres of grounds behind high gates,
which are patrolled by police armed with sub-machine guns (but usually police
of a bobby-like cheerful demeanour at odds with their weaponry). Of course, it
also contains the famous Zoo, of which the passing public may see, gratis, the
giraffes. Once, you could stroll past the wolves’ enclosure, separated from a
nightmare pursuit only be a wire fence. No more; the pack was packed off up the
M1 to the Zoo’s country residence at Whipsnade.
