What started as a quirky passion project meant to bring smiles to a neighborhood has now left one man devastated.
Trevor Robinson, a 71-year-old retiree from Gillingham, Kent, thought he was doing something fun for his community when he placed a large novelty elephant slide in his driveway.
But not everyone appreciated the gesture.
An Unusual Find With Big Dreams Behind It
Trevor stumbled upon the 20-foot-long fibreglass slide, affectionately named Ellie, as it was about to be discarded from a nearby leisure park.
Instantly smitten by its playful design, Trevor asked for it to be delivered to his home—free of charge.
His plan was simple: bring joy to local families and possibly use it to raise money for charity.
Originally, he hoped to build a small pond in his back garden where the slide could be fully functional.
But Ellie turned out to be too massive to move to the back, so Trevor set it up in his front driveway instead.
A Love for the Quirky and Unusual
Trevor, a former forklift operator and dock worker, is known for collecting unusual items.
He proudly boasts of owning two Jaguars—cars, not animals—which he refers to as his “pride and joy.”
Yet he says Ellie meant just as much to him.
“I collect quirky things. That’s just who I am,” he said.
“Children and their parents would stop to take photos. It brought smiles. I thought I was doing something good.”
Not Everyone Was Smiling
Unfortunately, Trevor’s neighbors didn’t quite see Ellie the same way.
While some residents appreciated the novelty and said it entertained local kids, others were less enthusiastic.
Some saw it as an eyesore—one neighbor called it a “monstrosity” and questioned how Trevor ever believed it would be acceptable to park a giant elephant slide in plain view.
“People noticed it, sure,” the neighbor admitted.
“But we had to live next to it. And we couldn’t even get permission for a small shed in our garden, so that slide? It was never going to be allowed.”
Eventually, multiple complaints made their way to Medway Council, prompting officials to step in.
The Council Steps In and Ellie Says Goodbye
It turns out the slide had already failed a safety inspection at its previous location, with council inspectors citing it as unsafe due to its age—it was over 30 years old.
Medway Norse, which manages public assets for the local authority, arranged for the elephant to be collected and disposed of.
Once the council realized the slide had been relocated to Trevor’s home, they took steps to retrieve it, stating, “It’s an unsafe structure and must be disposed of properly.”
Heartbreak Over the Loss of Ellie
For Trevor, losing Ellie felt personal. “It’s as important to me as one of my Jaguars,” he said.
“I’d sell one just to get her back.”
He branded the council “killjoys” for taking away something he felt brought joy and uniqueness to his community.
“It’s a scandal,” he said, visibly frustrated and emotional over the forced removal.
What’s Next for Trevor?
Though Ellie is gone, Trevor hasn’t given up on adding character to his property.
He’s not sure what his next eccentric find will be, but he remains hopeful.
As for the neighborhood, it’s a quieter place now—though perhaps a bit less joyful for those who enjoyed Ellie’s brief but memorable presence.
And whether you’re Team Trevor or Team Council, one thing’s clear: even the most playful ideas can spark serious neighborhood debates.