NEWSLETTER No. 342 - August 2006

Chairman’s Remarks - Marion Coupe

We are very pleased to see that our Victorian Town Hall has had a reprieve from demolition, and as we had suggested in the first place, it will be adapted for modern use. This is quite possible without destroying its wonderful Victorian features. We were delighted that the Deputy Mayor was able to entertain us there with refreshments after the recent unveiling of the Frank Dickinson Blue Plaque. The Council is about to embark on its Heritage Strategy so we hope that further threats to our Victorian heritage will now stand no chance.

Unfortunately, under threat at present are the St Annes Conservative Club and the Victoria Hotel, not to mention Lytham hospital.

Blackpool Council has recently launched its Heritage Strategy with a screening of Mitchell and Kenyon footage at the Grand Theatre. Local scenes were shown including an early 20th century Lytham Club Day and a tram ride through the town. Blackpool has a Heritage Forum, which includes the Blackpool Civic Trust, and is anxious to drive forward its bid to become a World Heritage Site as the first mass working class seaside resort.

We have vacancies on our main committee. If you would like to come along as an observer at anytime please let me know and you will be welcome. You will then see how varied are the interests and activities in which we are involved. No meeting goes on over two hours, and we divide up the various jobs into as small ’parcels’ as we can. We also need extra help with delivering the newsletter - just a short walk every three months. If you can help please contact Derek Barker on: 733297

There were mistakes in the yearly accounts printed in the Annual Report. This was due to problems developing as the format of the text was changed for printing, and I apologise to members for the confusion. The correct format was given out at the AGM and if anyone would like a ‘proper’ copy please let us know. One detail change is that Receipts totals should read 19,836 and 14,519.

The hard work of the Witch Wood group has been acknowledged in that the wood is one of only 74 sites in the country to receive a Green Pennant Award for excellence. We have the pennant - but we are at a loss as to where to put it! Congratulations to all those involved.

Heritage Open Days 2006 - 7 - 10 September

Heritage Open Days celebrates England’s architecture and culture by allowing visitors free access to interesting properties that are either not usually open, or would normally charge an entrance fee. Heritage Open Days also includes tours, events and activities that focus on local architecture and culture. This year, Heritage Open Days will run from 7-10 September.

Organised by volunteers - usually property owners or managers - for local people, Heritage Open Days is England’s biggest and most popular voluntary cultural event, attracting some 800,000 people every year. The Civic Trust gives central co-ordination and a national voice to the event, which is made possible by funding and support from English Heritage.

Heritage Open Days provides visitors with a unique opportunity to explore and enjoy these sometimes hidden, often curious and always interesting places in English cities, towns and villages - and completely free of charge.

Civic society members, property owners, estate managers, visitors, conservation officers, company directors, parishioners, tourism managers, education officers - people from all walks of life who care about and take pride in the environment they live in make Heritage Open Days happen. We would like to bring people and places together, encourage you and thousands of others to explore the buildings on your doorstep and to become an active member of the community.

Follies, contemporary buildings, churches, factories, tunnels, temples, offices, private homes, industrial sites, castles, windmills, town halls - guided walks, concerts, re-enactment, trails, role-plays, children’s activities - the variety of places and ways to discover them are endless.

For further details see:
www.heritageopendays.org.uk/

The AGM 2006 - Rachel Battersby

The date of the AGM had been brought forward this year, and was held on the 13th July, 2006. This is a trend which it is hoped will continue, because as the AGM has to reflect the financial year of the Society, which ends each year on the 30th April, a date later in the year means that the review of the year becomes quite out of date. I would like to thank Dennis and our auditor Bill Comstive for ensuring that the accounts were available so that the AGM could go ahead.

The two major achievements for the year were reported as the Witch Wood path improvements and the huge success of the Exhibition at the Heritage Centre, but they were not the only ones. A new blue plaque is now fixed to the wall of Dollond & Aitchison in St. Annes commemorating Frank Dickinson, our local contact lens pioneer and it was announced that Witch Wood has been awarded a Green Pennant for the quality of this open space.

The accounts showed it was a relatively good year for accumulating money, particularly as great success had been had in obtaining grant finance for the improvements made in Witch Wood, and the accounts were approved unanimously.

No new nominations for committee posts were received. All of the committee resigned and Sue Cornah did not wish to stand again. She has, however, agreed to continue her invaluable work on our technical committee which comments on planning applications and their accordance with our local plans and any other rules that need to be complied with. The committee was re-elected with Marion Coupe as Chair, Malcolm Burnett as Vice-Chairman, Dennis Leyland as Treasurer, Kate Cartmell as Membership Secretary, Hilda Partington as Events Programme Co-ordinator and Rob Wilkinson, John Bentham and Grant Smith as committee members. Bill Comstive kindly agreed to be re-appointed as our auditor. I was separately elected as this was the first AGM since I agreed to take over the work as secretary.

We then followed the formal AGM with a general open discussion. As expected the focus was on various planning matters affecting the town.

Hilda presented a draft taster of next year’s events programme and then persuaded as many as possible to eat apple pie and cheese.

The History of St Annes on the Sea

We have been delighted to sponsor Peter Shakeshaft’s series of four July lectures on the history of what we thought was the newer part of the borough. The lectures are a taste of Peter’s forthcoming book and it is clear that he will be de-bunking a few myths about St Annes. He was also hoping to encourage local people to come forward with their memories, photographs and perhaps documents from the past. He would like to know when the phrase ’the opal of the west’ was first used - the question was left in the air at the end of the last talk. Unfortunately, Peter has been unable to gain access to the documents held at Lytham Hall, which belong to Lytham Town Trust, and we have been supporting him in his efforts to see them. Notwithstanding, his book is very well researched using original sources, including the Clifton papers in the Lancashire Record Office. We look forward to the publication!

Lytham Hospital

The proposal by the Fylde Primary Care Trust ( PCT) to re-locate the two Lytham GPs’ surgeries from their present sites in Church Road to the Lytham Hospital site is proving controversial. The PCT has produced plans and is holding consultation sessions with local people. The plans include an on site café, newsagents and pharmacy. There will be no further wards for in patients.

Lytham cottage hospital, originally given to the people of Lytham by the Clifton family, is thought of with much affection by many Lytham residents. They will be sorry to see the end of both the building and the hospital facility.

There are a number of issues which need considering. We do not expect our comments to, in fact, make any difference to the end result of what is happening here as the proposals are in line with national policy, and there will be much improvedand welcome GP facilities. Government policy, however, is that wherever possible cottage hospitals should be retained.

We have concerns about the design of the proposed building on the plans we saw. They may change. The mixture of whiterender stone and glass in no way reflects the local building tradition, nor is the building likely to become a 21st century icon.

There is no doubt that in spite of being dominated by the geriatric unit the present hospital is an attractive building on a small scale and it would be a bonus if its façade could be kept.

We are, above all, concerned as to the failure to treat the site as a whole in

We consider that the potential closure of the doctors’ surgeries and possibly at least one pharmacy in the town centre will have a negative effect on the viability of the town. There will be a lower footfall in the town and this is not good for the vibrant mix of functions and activities we wish to see there. Many people carry out other visits at the same time as going to the doctor.

The idea is not viable in terms of sustainable development. The construction of the PCT centre will result in a loss of facilities and lead to more visits by patients and their visitors to Victoria Hospital. This cannot be seen as a sustainable approach. We think that more specific visits to the GPs’ surgeries will be made by car than at present as the site is nearer the edge of town.

The PCT facility for Ansdell has already been built on Church Road. There are proposals to provide a similar facility for the St Annes doctors on the Booths Dispensers site on the eastern side of the railway line opposite Sainsburys.

Blackpool Airport

Blackpool airport is getting busier and it is actually in Lytham St Annes. Sadly, local councillors have been heard to say that they think the airport is more important than the green belt. It seems that whereas local people may be dazzled by the prospect of cheap flights, the environmental concerns are not being addressed. The present flight path used by Ryanair goes right over the town on takeoff and it would be odd indeed if our town welcomed the extra noise and pollution.

There are proposals to construct buildings on the St Annes side of the airfield, within the Green Belt, which we will oppose. Green Belts are diminishing assets which need protecting.

Unfortunately, many people think aviation is wonderful for the economy, despite the opposite usually being true; far fewer jobs than expected usually materialise, and the cheap holidays mean UK holiday destinations are losing out.

Liverpool is an airport which has expanded rapidly in the last few years and the most noticeable effect of this on the ground is the huge proliferation of car parks. There is little provision for this at Blackpool, and many travellers are leaving their cars in the nearby streets to save money. It is not possible to get to Blackpool airport by train. There needs to be considerable transport infrastructure in place if the airport is to expand hugely. There are rumours of a takeover of Pontin’s, and the lengthening of the runway near Queensway. We would like to see a measured sustainable approach and a proper consideration of the effects on the local population in terms of air pollution and noise.

Events

Our programme of events starts with an inaugural meeting on Thursday 21st September. This is a new event for all members which, we hope, will appeal to some of our members who, perhaps, have never been to one of our get-togethers before. It will be a relaxed friendly evening, a time to get to know more about the work done by our society and also provide the opportunity to meet and get to know other members. Elaine Smith, Chairman of Blackpool Civic Trust, will be one of a panel of speakers who will talk briefly on the work they do.

The programme throughout the year offers a series of talks of environmental and architectural interest, which we hope will be both interesting and informative. Please try to support these evening talks to assure our visiting speakers of a good audience. They are all busy professional people who give their time willingly in support of the Civic Society.

Our Christmas celebration and New Year Luncheon will be held much as usual. Please note our change of venue for our New Year lunch. To afford us more seating it will be held at the Dalmeny Hotel.

Three visits will be organized throughout the year. Please make a note of them in your diaries. Further details are enclosed with the Newsletter.

Our programme gives you many dates for your diaries. The year ahead looks like being a busy one with events we hope you will look forward to and enjoy.

Frank Dickinson

The eminent optometrist, Frank Dickinson, had his practice at 35 The Square, St. Annes. This was in the period just after the last war.

Frank Dickinson developed the Dickinson Microlens, the first of the micro-corneal contact lenses which served to enhance the availability and comfort of contact lenses for millions around the world. As part of our programme of blue plaques in the town we have put up a blue plaque in his honour.

Last month the unveiling was attended by members of Frank Dickinson’s family as well as a number of experts in the field of contact lenses and their history. We are grateful to Dollond & Aitchison, on whose building the plaque was placed, and the Dickinson family for contributions towards the costs, and to Fylde BC for providing refreshments afterwards at the Town Hall.

The blue plaques are of top quality in cast aluminium manufactured by Leander in Derbyshire who supply the National Trust. They add considerably to the interest and character of the street scene. If you would like to help in the necessary research and administration involved in the production of more plaques, please get in touch. The more help we get, the more plaques we can put up.

Membership Report

Membership numbers continue to rise, currently standing at 471. We are appreciative of all the many members who have paid their subscriptions so promptly from May 1st and trust that the small number of outstanding subscriptions will be paid as soon as possible. The response to the new increase in subscription fees has been very favourable, now with a growing number of both Patrons and Life Members. We would ask that all members with Standing Order arrangements in place at their bank, prior to their next payment, kindly ensure that the amount covers the appropriate increased fee. Receipts are now issued for subscriptions paid by cheque. These are delivered by hand or, when appropriate, by the newsletter delivery system. Should your receipt not be received, please contact the membership secretary.

We have welcomed several new members during the summer months and look forward to an opportunity of meeting them at future events. We warmly invite all members to join us at our Inaugural Meeting of the season on Thursday, 21st September to learn more about our activities and the year’s programme. Please know that we welcome new members to join the committee, further contributing to the work of the Society.

Federation of Lancashire Civic Societies

The Conference and Annual General Meeting was held recently at Bacup, hosted by the Rossendale Civic Trust. There was a good attendance, with most areas of the county represented. An interesting programme for the day focused on planning issues related to the historic Town Centre Conservation Area. A group from the local Bacup Britannia Coconut Dancers later performed some typical examples of clog-dancing, relating both past links with Cornish tin mining areas and with their Moorish origins. A guided walk was taken through the town centre, visiting the newly restored outdoor market and passing several much improved repainted shop fronts, supported with help from the local Civic Society. A visit to the Bacup Natural History Society’s Museum provided a fascinating insight of past memorabilia. Dating back to 1878, it is still privately owned and run by local enthusiasts.

The committee were unanimously re-elected at the AGM, under the direction of Chairman Graeme Fallows. As always, it was helpful to share news from across the county, compare experiences, and to have an opportunity to meet up with friends, old and new.

Problems at the old Blackburn Home site

Defend the Dunes has been monitoring the progress of the reconstruction of the Blackburn Home into 18 apartments by Hurstwood Developments and has noted significant deviations from the development proposals as authorised by the FBC Development Control Committee. The way in which the conversion took place was supposed to be strictly controlled to satisfy Government Guidelines on developments in the Greenbelt but as the reconstruction stands at present it does not satisfy those guidelines in two important respects.

The DCC were given to understand that only about 10% of the shell of the old building would have to be demolished and rebuilt. The extent of the new walls was clearly visible earlier this year and we brought this to the attention of FBC Planning. Pictures taken at that time show that well over 50% has been rebuilt. This, in our view, constitutes a major reconstruction and is contrary to planning policy guidelines. We have learned that permission for 18 car ports was given under delegated powers by a council officer who has since left. This is leading to a larger than agreed foot print in the dunes and is to be regretted.

A planning application has now been submitted for four CCTV masts, six metres high, over the parking area. It is our view that they would create an adverse visual impact in the form of “clutter” around the building.

This is a very sensitive area and the site is surrounded on all sides by areas of dunes which are designated as an SSSI and the whole area falls within the greenbelt between St. Annes and Blackpool. Because of this we are particularly concerned that all developments associated with this building result in minimal additional visual impact on the area

St Annes Conservative Club - proposed re-development

There have been various articles in the press about the proposals to build a new Aldi store in St Annes. A number of issues have been in discussion, and there has been a presentation of the plans by the firm’s design consultants. The plans entail the demolition of the St Annes Conservative Club with the construction of a new one as part of the re-development, and the demolition of the unloved 1968 office ’block’ on St George’s Road. Gabriel Harrison, writing in his book Rage of Sand 1971 said the latter was: “a structure which, although so very different, still harmonises with all of the adjoining buildings”. This is hard to accept these days; views change.

The two demolitions would create a large and prestigious empty site in the town. Aldi plan about 27 ’affordable’ flats above the supermarket, allwithout parking. The underground parking spaces are for shoppers. They assure us that a great deal more trouble has been taken over the design of this development than might have been the case in other (notably bland and boring) ones. Indeed, it would have to be more carefully designed, and there have been long consultations with the FBC planners it seems. The purpose of these discussions, however, is not to alight on a design which will be sure to get permission but to find an acceptable building should the demolitions be allowed.

We are not altogether happy with the design, it takes up features of the Woolworth building rather than the steeper gables of the Conservative Club Porritt building. We welcome the other demolition and the restoration of gables on St George’s Road. The flats seem inconvenient, and there are issues to be resolved over rubbish collection, a lack of lifts and, of course, parking.

We do not enter into the argument of the nature of the supermarket - whether it is a ’cheap’ one - except in so far as it reflects signage, posters and perhaps trolley storage.

There is one important point here though - the demolition of the Porritt building. Are we really willing to sacrifice an important and historic part of our streetscene - for a supermarket? Are we back in the 1970’s??

St Annes is not medieval Tewkesbury but its Victorian heritage as a planned seaside resort is culturally important and increasingly valued. Classic Resort status is being applied for. We would be mad to allow this demolition. St Annes should see that this argument is not about supermarkets, it is about real estate and saving the character of the town.

Why be involved? - Rachell Battersby

This week I was asked what made me join the Civic Society, and, in particular, what made me want to be a member of the committee. Of course, I hadn’t really thought about why, and had joined simply because I thought I wanted to, but the question did make me stop and think just why had I been so keen to join and become involved.

It definitely wasn’t simply something to do to keep me busy, as I certainly don’t have a lot of time on my hands. Was it because of some family tradition to get involved in this sort of thing? Again, definitely, no. Whilst I visited this area regularly as a child, I’m not a ’sand-grown un’ and have never been involved in a Civic Society before. Did I want to be regarded as another ’do-gooder’? I sincerely hope not.

So, I thought a little harder, and the answer was obvious. Over the years I have worked in London, Oxford and Manchester and been awe-inspired by the architecture of some of the magnificent buildings and monuments. I love Lytham St. Annes, more than the great cities I have been privileged to know, and more than I ever loved the town of my birth, which has changed almost beyond all recognition during my lifetime. I love the buildings, the charm of the area, the rural surroundings, the rich heritage, the climate and the people. This love of my relatively recently adopted home town made me want to do everything I could, to ensure that it remains so aesthetically pleasing to the eye, trying to stop any changes for the worse, whilst supporting any changes for the better. There are few books on this town that I have not read, and I am eagerly looking forward to Peter Shakeshaft’s book being published. I have several Francis Frith photographs of the town in my home, and Lytham St. Annes is most certainly the place I feel I now belong to, as do so many others who came to settle here from the Lancashire mill towns. Of course, I realise that I am preaching to the converted here, but the point I am trying to make, is, that I am sure so many more people in the town feel as I do, but are as yet, not members of the Civic Society, or are, but don’t want to actively participate in our activities.

Membership numbers matter so much in every planning application that the Society objects to or comments upon. The larger the membership, the stronger the voice. So if you know anyone who agrees with our aims and is not a member, please ask them to consider joining us and give them Kate’s contact details or those of anyone on the committee.

If the society is going to thrive and make a real difference, we need an active membership. We are exceedingly fortunate in having our very skilled and experienced technical committee which helps preserve as much of our heritage as it possibly can, but there is so much more that the society can do if people are willing to give their time and energy. In just this year’s plans, we are continuing to maintain Witch Wood - we are trying to preserve and save some of the memorials and monuments - we are erecting blue plaques in recognition of the best in our town as well as keeping a watchful eye on all planning applications and building work being undertaken.

Hilda and Kate have tirelessly arranged and re-arranged and improved our new events programme, and whilst these are non-profit making for the society (though donations are always appreciated at anytime), these occasions can be motivational and encourage the exchange of ideas.

If you are especially interested in any of our current projects, or would like to have advice, encouragement and support to start a related one, or would like to join our committee, you can be assured of a very warm welcome.