The old Gas & Electricity Board premises in St James Street, Accrington

Atarah · 24-08-2010, 11:19

Although this is an old article, the stones will soon be on display at the bottom of St James Street. Hope Mr Benson, (now deceased) gets a mention on the plaque.

Civic Trust in bid to restore old stone coat of arms - Accrington Observer

Retlaw · 24-08-2010, 12:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by Atarah

Although this is an old article, the stones will soon be on display at the bottom of St James Street. Hope Mr Benson, (now deceased) gets a mention on the plaque.

Civic Trust in bid to restore old stone coat of arms - Accrington Observer

Do you mean this one.
Retlaw.

Atarah · 24-08-2010, 12:38

Thats the one (believe there may be two in total) - nice one Retlaw!

Atarah · 24-08-2010, 14:20

This is to remind/inform folk what the building looked like. Used to be bottom corner of St James Street/Willow Street - the new Job Centre was built on its site (approx 1973) - now a solicitors office.

Retlaw · 24-08-2010, 14:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by Atarah

Thats the one (believe there may be two in total) - nice one Retlaw!

There are two, but they are so covered in moss, that one was the only one visible enough to photo.

Retlaw.

Atarah · 24-08-2010, 17:06

And here is the exact site where the stones are obviously going to be put.
On the RH side of the photo you can easily see the red brick building, which is the former site of the old Gas & Electricity premises.

jaysay · 24-08-2010, 17:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by Atarah

Although this is an old article, the stones will soon be on display at the bottom of St James Street. Hope Mr Benson, (now deceased) gets a mention on the plaque.

Civic Trust in bid to restore old stone coat of arms - Accrington Observer

Was that Alan Benson former solicitor and Councillor Atarah

Atarah · 24-08-2010, 17:50

Yes he was Jaysay

jaysay · 24-08-2010, 18:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by Atarah

Yes he was Jaysay

Thanks Atarah, Alan was a good friend of mine

cashman · 24-08-2010, 21:38

Wonder if P.B. will put a plaque on - Saying "We sold em Off"?

lancsdave · 24-08-2010, 21:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by Atarah

And here is the exact site where the stones are obviously going to be put.
On the RH side of the photo you can easily see the red brick building, which is the former site of the old Gas & Electricity premises.

I wondered why they were jet washing it on sunday and all the soil had been rolled

Atarah · 25-08-2010, 20:07

Am beginning to learn that TESCO surprisingly enough, may have something to do with these old stones being "brought back from the dead". Apparently many many years ago it was a Mr Brian Ashton, (the then Chief Librarian of Accrington Library) who was involved in saving the stones. They were moved onto Library land (i.e. the garden of the Childrens Library on Willow Street). Mr Ashton allowed them to be put there until a proper place could be found for them. Am "picking up" that Tesco offered to pay for some public art or something and it was suggested that the stones should be cleaned and displayd properly with a plaque to show where they were from etc.

Ken Moss · 30-08-2010, 10:44

Alan Benson, who I never met but is spoken very highly of, is due to have his name on the plaque so I understand.

The unveiling ceremony should rightly be opened by the Mayor.

Atarah · 01-09-2010, 08:27

Photo taken yesterday (in sunshine). Will post a better one once plaque is in place.

Tealeaf · 01-09-2010, 12:40

Anyone else got the impression that this looks like a plinth for a statue? If so, I wonder who or what will go on top?