English: Thornton Heath Pond, Croydon, Surrey If geograph had been in existence back in 1953, the category for this location would have been "pond". Up until that time, the whole of this traffic island had been a pond. Back in the good old days, highwaymen used to be hanged from the gibbet beside this location; a practice which has, sadly, died out!

After 1953, gardens and a small ornamental pond were built; there was also a not very attractive toilet block. An American musician friend (who might have been forgiven for not knowing the correct name for this location), referred to it as "the toilet roundabout" ..... but then she was American. As before, the pond became full of rubbish, and an eyesore.

About 10 years ago, the current gardens were designed. Gone was the pond; in its place, a water feature consisting of three cascading towers (one can be seen to the left of picture). Unfortunately, the designer failed to take into account the fact that the wind blows. The water went everywhere apart from where it should have gone, and people avoided the gardens as a result. So; we finally reached today's situation, a garden with a dry water feature.