Globe Centre "Artwork" - Page 2

janet · 01-06-2004, 18:41

If the council go ahead with this scheme, can we have another vote as to how soon it will take to be vandalised.The council just love wasting tax payers money, i'm still waiting for my council tax bill.Maybe the money they have saved there will pay for the new sculpture.

ShortStuff · 01-06-2004, 19:45

Have you seen the artist's impression in this weeks Observer? It looks like one of the kids from the Junior League has done it!!! I do think that the site needs improving after the fountains - if only the council had put a bit of thought into that idea, it wouldn't need pulling up so soon after it was built. I certainly agree that Broadway is more of a priority at the moment.

Acrylic-bob · 01-06-2004, 20:49

If you will pardon my intervention at this juncture, I have had a look at the "Engine" and in my humble opinion it appears to have several parts missing. For one thing there is no flywheel. The peices are behind the old Coach House/Stables up at Howarth Art Gallery and after twenty years in the open they are in a pretty sorry condition, what with rust and saplings growing round and through them. The flywheel could, of course, be inside the Coach House, but what would be the sense of putting some parts under cover and leaving the rest outdoors.

I agree with Roys initial argument that any cosmetic work has got to be a good thing. But the borough as a whole is in desperate need of such work. It strikes me that it always seems to be the council's comfort that comes top of the list when there is spare cash. In the last thirty years we have seen HBC move from the Town Hall's in various part of the borough to steadily grander accomodation, culminating in the new building attached to the Globe Centre. If the costs had not been so disproportionate and had the thing any chance at all of working we would now see HBC housed in a vast purpose built office complex on what was the site of Accy Colliery. They wasted £350,000 on feasability studies on that one.

And then what about the paving bricks fiasco in front of the Market Hall and Town. Hall? They spent god alone knows how much having the road laid with paving bricks and then allowed buses to continue using the road, resulting in considerable damage to the road surface. This then had to be taken up again and relaid with tarmac.

mez · 01-06-2004, 21:34

why dont they just fill the fountain with soil & grow some nice flowers in there then THEY, THE POWERS THAT BE, can s-it & have their lunch there, oops spelling again,

Perran · 01-06-2004, 22:02

Having walked past the engine in question for many years it would be a sin if it were not to be rebuilt. Amazing how they can always find money for their pet projects ( like changing offices every few days/months/years ) but not for real worthy ones with good support. As usual they may consult but go ahead with their plans regardless treating "the public" with disdain.

Tealeaf · 02-06-2004, 10:06

Bob has pointed out that the flywheel is missing ( I don't know..I've not been up that way for 35 years)....I'm just wondering how long that has been the case, whether it is indoors (somewhere), has been nicked or melted down or alternatively the process of creating this frankenstein sculpture is already under way.

I just despair of Hyndburn Council; this is just one more of an endless series of half-baked schemes whose only purpose appears to be that of spending the ratepayers cash. They certainly can't be considered an investment - those are supposed to last..and as for any current enjoyment the people of Hyndburn will get, then surely it would make more sense to spend it on a fireworks display. That way, yer money's going up in smoke but at least you get a few bangs.

LYNX1 · 02-06-2004, 18:23

Probably go the same way as the monstrosity that the council called a clock .... that used to sit proudly in the Arndale centre, until "the council" in thier wisdom decided to get rid, I must admit it was not a sad day for me ( have always detested the thing), it would just make a nice change if Accrington.....ooops sorry........Hyndburn people were taken serious when we told them that we don't want our money spent on rubbish anymore...........or am I being unrealistic as usual.

Stanley4Life · 02-06-2004, 18:33

Personnally i am in favor of it as we where an industrail (speeling) town but now hardly have nothing to show off it and it is bein donated but i do recomend the the 'fountain' that doe'snt work and has green water is taken down as soon as poss. Did you complain When a 230,00 pound fountain was built and this is 8x cheaper.

Bazf · 02-06-2004, 21:26

Firebug warning after blaze at hall

POLICE and firefighters have warned young firebugs that they could be putting lives at risk. A number of fires have been reported at the Arden Hall site, off Plantation Street and police said gangs, aged between 16 and 20, have been lighting bonfires to keep warm. Now the Accrington emergency services have revealed their fear that while they deal with a small fire at the grounds of the former hall, it could prevent them getting to a serious fire in time. Accrington firefighter Mick Sutcliffe said: "The biggest problem we have got is that when we are dealing with rubbish fires and minor problems we are not available for more serious incidents. "The area in general has been quite bad of late. It's a number of juveniles that are creating the problem. "We try to work closely with the police community support officers and hope they can alleviate the problems by making extra patrols." The area is a large patch of open land that once housed a stately home. Now it has a football pitch in the centre.

Hyndburn Council has confirmed it owns a small part of the land but, as it is deemed a large, public open space, it was not their responsibility to fence it off. Who owns large open spaces in Hyndburn if not the council? because if its up for grabs or you tried to build on it they would soon claim it.

"So lets do something like spend the money on..... o say a steam engine!!!!"

Acrylic-bob · 03-06-2004, 06:20

In view of the number of properties and land in the borough and the country where the owners are unknown or cannot be found, would it not make sense to make it a legal reqiurement for either Solicitors or Estate Agents to register the change of ownership with a central body. Or is that what The Land Registry is for? The council also has the option to make a compulsory purchase order.

I agree that the council in this case appears to be shirking it's responsibility as a landowner. But then again, I also think that the Fire Brigade are overreacting, they do seem to have the habit of turning up with all engines whenever anyone strikes a match.
Speaking of the Fire Brigade, who are necessary and their brave lads do a very good job, why do they need to label all their appliances? For example, there is one I noticed the other day with 'INCIDENT SUPPORT UNIT' emblazoned along the side. Is that so they don't forget what it is for and take the wrong one out on a call by mistake?

Neal · 03-06-2004, 16:31

Well I think they should spend money on a statue / sculpture. It adds more to the area and makes it look pleasing which in turn will make more and more people pleased about the area and hopefully attract visitors (That's if it's a decent one).

I've just voted 'yes' (Sorry!)

ShortStuff · 03-06-2004, 20:21

We need a few more specialist shops to attract visitors too - but the council have managed to run them all out of town! Don't know anyone that would visit a town just to see a sculpture?

yerself · 04-06-2004, 08:17

We all seem unanimous in condemning the waste of £30,000 on a lump of scrap metal. What would you spend the money on? What's the odds we can't all agree on that. My suggestion would be to try and get traffic flowing more freely through the borough and relieve congestion, especially in Church at the lights and in Clayton-le-Moors on Whalley Road. I doubt very much that £30,000 would be enough though.

Acrylic-bob · 04-06-2004, 22:17

1. Give it to Nigel Rix, on condition that he goes away and never comes back.

2. Re-open Broadway to traffic.

3. Make all the Charity Shops pay Business Rates like everyone else.

4. Fund a public consultation exercise to find out what the people of the Borough really want.

how's that for starters??

Mick · 14-07-2004, 12:26

here is what they have decided to put up near the Globe