ERROR RG P4 17.9.1996 The 2.2 acre strip of land the Loyal Hill Community Committee turned into a playground was not owned by former House Speaker Sir John Cox. It was owned by his uncle, Father William Cox.

Premier David Saul "used a bad choice of words'' when he told a Friday Press conference the UBP's man for the Devonshire North by-election was "instrumental'' in the Loyal Hill playground development, candidate Stewart Gleenslade yesterday told The Royal Gazette .

"Under no circumstances would I say I was instrumental. It was their project to begin with and I only helped out a little near the end,'' he said.

Mr. Greenslade was reacting to comments by the Loyal Hill playground group who were stung by the Premier's comments.

It was wrong to suggest the Stewart Greenslade has played "an instrumental role'' in the development of the Loyal Hill playground, committee member Keith Simmons told The Royal Gazette .

Mr. Simmons said that such a claim was untrue and Dr. Saul's comments had "left a sour taste in the committee's mouth'', because they never saw Mr.

Greenslade until he began coming into the area as he prepared for the next election.

"Our committee is not affiliated with any political party,'' Mr. Simmons said. "We are a community group that has a love for our Country and our community in particular.

"We have been in place since 1991 trying to get the use of this field. The records will show who has been instrumental in getting us this far.

"It has been quite a struggle but it has been progressing and almost completed.'' Added Mr. Greenslade: "I agree with them (Loyal Hill committee) on that one.

It was a very strong word; an unfortunate choice of words.'' The Loyal Hill Community Committee has been steadfast in its wish to use a 2.2 acre strip of land overlooking North Shore that former House Speaker Sir John Cox had willed to the Catholic Church to build a retreat for priests.

If the church was not able to use the land within 15 years, then the Government was instructed to take it over and build a home for "wayward coloured boys''.

Government never built the home as Sir John Cox's will had stipulated, but the playground plans were put on hold until the Loyal Hill committee was given permission to develop the land in September last year.

That brought an end to more than four years of activity to procure the site because there were initially questions over title.

Mr. Simmons said that Mr. Greenslade was not around during this period so it was incorrect for Dr. Saul to say that he was "instrumental'' to the redevelopment of the land.

"He started coming around late January, early February,'' Mr. Simmons continued. "But the committee knew what was on the cards with an election looming not long in the future.

"We knew he was a young, new, possible candidate in the area and he was sent to make inroads which would help him to win a seat.

"But his help has only come at election time. None of us knew Mr. Wade would pass as soon as he did, but he was sent early enough to prepare for the next election.'' Mr. Simmons said that Mr. Greenslade has attended Loyal Hill Committee meetings and helped to raise a few thousand dollars toward the playground.

Additionally he helped to secure a possible grant from the Bank of Bermuda that the committee will have to match through fundraising.

"As a wanna-be MP in the area we would expect this anyway,'' he added. "For the Premier to say he was instrumental in getting us to where we are today leaves a very sour taste in our mouths.

"The committee is not to happy with this situation. We feel we are being used as a by-election ploy.''