Trial by Jury

On June 19th 2004 Lytham St Annes Civic Society presented Gilbert & Sullivan's Trial by Jury in the original Edwardian Magistrates Court (1902), Lytham. It was performed by Marton Operatic Society. A buffet supper followed in the nearby Hewitt Room. Tickets were limited to 50, cost £25 each, and all who watched or participated felt they had had a truly memorable evening. The singers occupied the Bench and the Dock and we borrowed a full wig from a local judge.

The main purpose of evening was to do with the fate of the building. Both Lytham Police station and the court are being sold off by the Lancashire Police Authority as they wish to occupy a shop round the corner (with no parking), apparently to get closer to the community. The court closed about 5 years ago. Rumours are circulating as to the fate of building. We have made it clear that we would like to see the court room and magistrates retiring room "cocooned" and preserved in any development. By holding this event we believe we have proved that alternative uses are possible for the court. It has also been used by schools when learning about the system of justice. Our group has opened the court for Heritage Open Days for the last 3 years, and hope to again this year.

The event has brought the situation to the notice of the town and made people think about the building before it is to late. There is little doubt that a repeat performance would sell out quickly!

Further details about the event:

MARTON OPERATIC SOCIETY

The society was formed in 1930 at St Paul's Church (Marton) and in 1932 presented its first Gilbert & Sullivan Opera. Since then one of the G & S operas has been presented in the Parish Hall in Marton every November except the war years. At the end of 2002 the Hall was put up for sale and so a new venue had to be found. It was decided to present the 2003 show at Lowther Pavilion, which was a brave step to take considering the Hall held an audience of only 170, and Lowther can house 450. The result was excellent, most of our regular supporters followed us and the people of Lytham and St Annes came out in force to make us welcome. This gave us the confidence to return again this year with our next Gilbert & Sullivan
production, 'Utopia Limited', which will be presented early in November. The opportunity to sing 'Trial by Jury' in the old Court House in Lytham gives us the chance to give our support to your local community.

TRIAL BY JURY

This was the first of the Gilbert & Sullivan operas that set them on the path to fame and fortune. The opera was first performed at the Royalty Theatre London in 1875. It is only a short piece, set in the court room, and all the words are sung. Gilbert drew from his experience as a barrister when writing the words and of course the legal system is the target of his rapier like wit. The story revolves around Angelina who, having been abandoned by her husband to be, takes him to court for 'Breach of promise of marriage'. It seems that Edwin, the defendant, is unrepentant and reckons she is better off without him. There seems to be no solution to the dilemma when the learned Judge, seeing the girl in such distress, offers to solve the dispute by marrying her himself.

No.1 Court Room
This imposing building, in Edwardian baroque style, was designed by Manchester architect Henry Littler, who also designed the St Annes College and parts of Rossall School. The builders were Henry Mogridge of Lytham. Building began in late 1900, and, apart from the brickwork and slating, the work was sub-contracted to local craftsmen. The total cost was over £7,000. The opening ceremony took place in August 1902, and the first Chairman of the Bench was Thomas Fair, the Clifton Estate agent.

Number One Courtroom has some of the finest court fixtures in Lancashire, including the magistrates' bench with retiring room, and a central prisoner's dock with stairs leading down to the cells below. The gas-light fittings survive and have been converted to electricity. The Court has a beautifully plastered Gothic ceiling with two large leaded-light windows with a central red rose of Lancaster. The window in the north wall bears the Lancashire coat of arms. The public entrance is in North Clifton Street. Sadly, the Court was closed at the end of 1998 but has since been opened to the public annually by the Civic Society for Heritage Open Days in September.

The Police station buildings occupy a large site, there were originally two police houses here, three court rooms and office space. The nearest court is now Blackpool, and the Police intend to re-locate. This leaves a serious concern over the fate of this site, which is Grade II listed.

We hope that this unique court room will be preserved. It has great potential for education - and has been used since closure to show schoolchildren the workings of the system of justice. It is also a heritage asset for the town.

Lytham St Annes Civic Society will campaign hard to save it. Please give us your support.