The Rub of the Green

En route to KV after an absence of a couple of days. On the No. 23 before the new Rochor MRT a familiar sight described earlier in these pages. The previous example three-four years ago had been witnessed out on the lawn in front of SAM—Singapore Art Museum. As on the prior occasion, three young dark men, Indians, on their knees working in what passed as a field. The lawn at SAM was finest traditional needle grass of the English form. Luscious, almost edible spear of rich colour knitted closely together to form a couple of pleasing circles before the entry to the old Jesuit institution now transformed into an art museum. Here at Rochor the lads wore their yellow hard hats and one at least his visibility safety vest with Traffic Controller possibly emblazoned behind. At Rochor the grass stretched approximately the size of a half football field—Euro football, with a shorter added segment behind the entry to the station. Brown clumps of weed lay across the field—the lads had been at their toil a number of hours; the best part of the morning. The greater part of the task might have been completed, the chaps working close to the footpath in three lines. Before an art gallery or museum of art one could understand the concern for fine grade prime lawn that was a pleasure to behold, soothing, reassuring and attractive. The prospect out front of SAM, with the colonnades curving round and often teasing artworks on the lawn—most recently a little sheltered beige bus-stop from a generation past— was a favourite site for photographs, both for tourists and local enthusiasts. Understandably serious effort to remove unsightly couch and other infestations. Small scalloped spaces between the paving at SAM, much smaller than the penalty area in the football measure; a couple of narrow putting greens. For urban commuters on Bukit Timah Road beside the new Rochor station the rationale seemed less self-evident. Adjacent the road-works there on Bukit Timah Road had come to a temporary halt perhaps, an eagle-eyed supervisor, a local councillor or even PAP Minister it may have been observing the opportunity for re-deployment. It reminded of the common complaint of the maids, the domestic servants: when a certain kind of Madam saw her maid twiddling her thumbs, lying down or chatting on the phone, suddenly a back ache and need for massage.

NB. Two days later another report over the ongoing troubles with the turf at the new National Stadium. Showcase architecture featuring an impressive shell form erected in record time and pride of the sporting public undone by the problem of the English green. The young stars in the Asian Football confederation Cup last night slipping and sliding on the pitch.
                                                                                                                                                                   S.T. Wed 11 May 2016