OF ALL the mistakes made during 18 months on the Observer, perhaps my biggest was failing to visit the Coppice.
Not once had I wandered around that fine, green chunk of Accrington ... until the editor found out and sent me on a mission to explore the town's most famous landmark.
Tail between my legs, I made the surprisingly steep ascent in a bid to decide if we need an arty panopticon.
Aside from discovering how unfit I am, I finally realised what all the fuss is about.
You won't need me to tell you, but the Coppice is stunning, breathtakingly beautiful. It provides somewhere to rest and escape the mayhem of everyday working life. I was astonished by how different folk were up there.
It wasn't just the glorious weather, the sun on our faces and breeze in our hair, that made the walkers so cheery. It was something to do with the essence of the place.
I met a handful of walkers and everyone said hello, everyone smiled. It was a world away and everyone agreed.
Gill Growden, 40, of Spencer Street, Accrington, said: "I don't think there should be any panopticon design here. The money would be better spent on fixing the monument and building somewhere for families to have a picnic.
"I come here to unwind after work and before collecting the children from school. It really is a special part of Accrington."
Retired laboratory supervisor Peter Dugdale, 71, of The Coppice in Clayton-le-Moors, agreed. He said: "There should be a practical purpose to any development. Accrington residents have been let down on regeneration and the Coppice is the one thing that hopefully can't be spoiled.
"Some say a panopticon would help with tourism, but I doubt it."
Manifold reasons exist for the town's fame: the Pals, Stanley, Accrington Brick and the Coppice. Do we really need a purposeless wind tower or a series of stupid mounds to bolster our reputation?
I hope the council planning bosses think not.
I still feel ashamed it took me so long to discover the Coppice. Apart from treading in horse dung and being unsure of my descent, my experience there was wonderful. And at last I have a retreat when office life gets too much.
THE plans to build a panopticon - a giant monument - on top of the Coppice have caused great controversy. Now you can make sure YOUR voice is heard by taking part in our exclusive phone poll. If you agree with the idea ring 09012 290067 for Yes ; if you disagree ring 09012 290068 for No . Phone lines open at 9am on Friday (4th) and close at noon on Wednesday (9th). Calls cost 25p. The results of the poll will be announced in next week's paper.
