h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Entry: Walsall Arboretum, West Midlands - A2384679
Author: Detective_Sergeant_Pepper - U631919

An article about the history of Walsall Arboretum, a large park in the centre of Walsall, West Midlands, England.

Considerable research has gone into this article.

I must admit that I've only been to the Arboretum when the illuminations have been up. One day I'll go there at some other time of the year and be totally surprised, I'm sure.

I like this entry, but I think one or two improvements could be made.

For example, would you mind putting in a few headers in the entry? I could see space for a few, like 'Creation of the Arboretum', and 'Development of the Arboretum'. Maybe even a one for 'Regular Events'. It would help break the text up a bit, and I think it will read better as a result.

I can see you've put a lot of work into this already, and I think it's worth the odd tweak to the presentation so that's understandable by a wider audience.


Geggs

Thanks for your comments. They are appreciated and noted.

It was originally written as a magazine article for a local publication, but never submitted.

I could subtitle sections but not sure how to do the fancy, large, bold print that you see on other guide entries, and I feel the basic typescript is a bit too bland.

Once I work out how to do the fancy stuff, I'll probably edit it a bit more.

Thanks for your comments.

It's not that hard to do the fancy stuff, really. Change the style of the entry from 'plain text' to 'Guide ML' on the editing page. Then put paragraph tags around each paragraph.

The paragraph tags being the P in angle brackets at the start of this sentence. And the slash P in angle brackets at the end of this sentence

Then you can put in some headers by using these tags:

This is a header

And that should break up the text nicely.

For more information have a look at the Guide ML Clinic page - A187229. It seriously isn't that hard to get the hang of!


Geggs

OK, Geggs, Thanks for your help. I've split the article up into headed paragraphs, so hopefully it's a bit easier on the eye.

Now I can do that, I'll probably submit a few more articles.

DSP,

I've also only been there when the Illuminations have been on. Perhaps it might warrant a bit more on this subject.

There's a lovely link for the Arboretum here:

http://www.walsallarboretum.co.uk/

another here:

http://www.birminghamuk.com/BrumFoto/walsall/arboretum/Thumbnails.html

and one on the lights here:

http://www.walsall-lights.com/

And there was me thinking I was being original.

Actually, it would be good to describe something of the illuminations, as they are rather different to the Blackpool type illuminations (which I used to go to as a child) in that they are lower and use the landscaping of the arboretum.

Good work I've not been to the arboretum though I only live in Brum

Just a couple of small nits to be picked..

The title of the entry functions as the first header

There's no need to capitalise the headers..

for being a pedantic type - this is a really good entry!

Points noted.

They'll probably be ignored, but noted nonetheless.

Actually I've just read the article for the first time (since I rarely read anything I write) and just noticed a glaring error which I have now corrected. I initially put 19th century instead of 16th century (how none of you picked that one up, I'll never know - shame on you).

Just popping by for another look.

I'm glad you've put some headers in, though they are not quite structured in the 'offical' way. Have a look at some other Edited entries to see the way the Eds prefer it to be done. Though, if this gets Edited (and I'm fairly convinced it should be) then a Sub Ed will be able to sort that out for the Edited version. Not that I'm saying you should leave them to do the work, mind you, just that they will be able to do so.

As some others have said, I'll also like to see a bit more detail on the illumations - it is one of the highlights of the arboretum, after all.

Would you be able to add in some links to other guide entries as well? It helps the guide feel like it's one consistant whole.

But, other than that, great entry!


Geggs

So, when do you think this will be ready?

I have a lot of questions, perhaps these questions only seem interesting to me, because I am a foreigner:

How can you get there? What hours are they open? Is parking easy to find (does it cost?)?

I find the concept of 'demolished land' to be peculiar. What does this mean? Was the soil literally removed over the entire parcel, or is this a reference to the land having a particular cultured look given to it by its owners that would not survive mining operations?

Why not continue to mine in 1863? Are there any toxic remains of the original mining that we need to be aware of (are swimming and boating allowed in the lakes?)?

Can you fish in the lake(s) or eat the crawfish?

What's a lido?

Lido > http://www.wordreference.com/english/definition.asp?en=lido

Hmmmm.... the author on this one appears to have been gone for 3 months. Do people think this one is close enough for a sub to handle, or should it be moved over to the Flea Market for someone else to pick up and finish off?

I'm minded to say pick it and see what happens.

Yes, it is going to need a pretty big input from a sub-ed to get it into guide style. But if we put it into the FM, then I fear it will just get lost and this entry deserves better.

I believe there's a precedent already set for these sort of marginal cases. Take for example this near one-stopper, Graham's, entry on Red Kites (A994188) and the final version as sub-edited by Bels (A1105552).

I've got my picks coming up in a few days time, and I'm prepared to give this one a go

If you pick it, tell them that I'd be willing to be the sub-ed if need be.


Mikey

Bugga! I was about to say that! I may well go on a visit, it's in the area I can get to for free on my travel pass.

If you know something about the place, you may be better suited to it than I, Z.


Mikey