09-20-2006, 11:19 AM
This may be of interest to any of you who are fans/enthusiasts of funfairs & rollercoasters:
As archaeologists we are deeply concerned about current events in our seaside town, with potential threats to our heritage. In recent months the town has seen the loss of several listed buildings, without any apparent consultation with statutory bodies. In the last 2 weeks we have now seen the closure of the Southport Pleasureland Funfair, which had been bought out in recent years by its business opposition in Blackpool. Plans were reported of removal of prestige rides to Blackpool, but it was hoped that some of the site could be retained if bought by another operator.
In the last few days the old wooden rollercoaster, which is over 75 years old and one of only a few surviving rollercoasters of its type, began to be dismantled. It seems that this may be being done in haste to prevent any measures to apply for listed status.
We were further dismayed to hear that English Heritage have been denied access to the site to record the structure before it is destroyed.
In addition, it has now been discovered that the site is one of only a few habitats of an endangered species, the Great Crested Newt, so we also have important environmental and wildlife issues here.
Although some damage has been done, it can still be repaired – IT IS NOT TOO LATE TO STOP THIS.
There is a public protest and TV coverage planned for tonight 5.45pm GMT
For further background information I include a link to a local news website which has been monitoring and campaigning against the destruction:
http://www.southport.gb.com/
If any of you would like to help by registering your protests against this destruction, you could send a snotty letter to the main culprit:
Amanda Thompson Managing Director of Pleasure Beach, Blackpool email : [email protected]
Or, I would suggest that possibly the Department for Culture, Media and Sport is bombarded with messages decrying what is happening at Pleasureland and the damage caused to the historic Cyclone coaster and asking that spotlisting be considered, in the light of the very real threat now to this part of our country's heritage, not to mention the loss of jobs and damage to tourism and the local economy.
Suggested links:
Rt Hon Tessa Jowell MP
Secretary of State for Culture Media and Sport
Department for Culture Media and Sport
2-4 Cockspur Street
London
SW1Y 5DH
[email protected]
David Lammy MP
Minister for Culture
DCMS
address as above
[email protected]
Shaun Woodward MP is Minister for Tourism
[email protected]
Dr Simon Thurley, Chief Executive, English Heritage
http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/
or LOCAL COUNCIL:
Conservation officer
0151 934 3574 or 0151 934 3584
A Wallis, Director of Planning and Regeneration
Sefton Council
Balliol House
Balliol Road
Bootle
L20 3RY
email: [email protected]
As archaeologists we are deeply concerned about current events in our seaside town, with potential threats to our heritage. In recent months the town has seen the loss of several listed buildings, without any apparent consultation with statutory bodies. In the last 2 weeks we have now seen the closure of the Southport Pleasureland Funfair, which had been bought out in recent years by its business opposition in Blackpool. Plans were reported of removal of prestige rides to Blackpool, but it was hoped that some of the site could be retained if bought by another operator.
In the last few days the old wooden rollercoaster, which is over 75 years old and one of only a few surviving rollercoasters of its type, began to be dismantled. It seems that this may be being done in haste to prevent any measures to apply for listed status.
We were further dismayed to hear that English Heritage have been denied access to the site to record the structure before it is destroyed.
In addition, it has now been discovered that the site is one of only a few habitats of an endangered species, the Great Crested Newt, so we also have important environmental and wildlife issues here.
Although some damage has been done, it can still be repaired – IT IS NOT TOO LATE TO STOP THIS.
There is a public protest and TV coverage planned for tonight 5.45pm GMT
For further background information I include a link to a local news website which has been monitoring and campaigning against the destruction:
http://www.southport.gb.com/
If any of you would like to help by registering your protests against this destruction, you could send a snotty letter to the main culprit:
Amanda Thompson Managing Director of Pleasure Beach, Blackpool email : [email protected]
Or, I would suggest that possibly the Department for Culture, Media and Sport is bombarded with messages decrying what is happening at Pleasureland and the damage caused to the historic Cyclone coaster and asking that spotlisting be considered, in the light of the very real threat now to this part of our country's heritage, not to mention the loss of jobs and damage to tourism and the local economy.
Suggested links:
Rt Hon Tessa Jowell MP
Secretary of State for Culture Media and Sport
Department for Culture Media and Sport
2-4 Cockspur Street
London
SW1Y 5DH
[email protected]
David Lammy MP
Minister for Culture
DCMS
address as above
[email protected]
Shaun Woodward MP is Minister for Tourism
[email protected]
Dr Simon Thurley, Chief Executive, English Heritage
http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/
or LOCAL COUNCIL:
Conservation officer
0151 934 3574 or 0151 934 3584
A Wallis, Director of Planning and Regeneration
Sefton Council
Balliol House
Balliol Road
Bootle
L20 3RY
email: [email protected]
![[Image: smallparmarat.jpg]](http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b242/peronis/smallparmarat.jpg)
