Panopticon- the alternative view

[Acrylic-bob]

Interesting letter in the Observer this week from Mr. Les Bond who suggests that the proposed panopticon sculpture group intended for the Coppice is a waste of taxpayers and ratepayers money. He suggests instead…well, I’ll let him speak for himself:

“It is obvious that they and their supporters are oblivious to the fact that the top of the Coppice is an area of outstanding historical importance, in that, during their training, the legendary Accrington Pals created a trench system up there. Those trenches are still in evidence and are of enormous historical importance to the townand to the descendants of those members of the East Lancashire Regiment who fought in the Great War. I earnestly suggest to Hynburn Council and the people of Accrington that we steal a march on these panopticon supporters by declaring the top of the Coppice an area of outstanding local historical importance, have the trenches surveyed and excavated to their original condition and then shout to the world that Accrington is more than just football and Tiffany and bricks. We could have the trenches, real history brought to life.”



What an absolutely cracking idea ! Well done Les! :engsmil:



If the estimable Mr Rix (‘Richy’ to his friends, ‘Croesus’ to the tax man) is serious about encouraging tourism in Hyndburn, wouldn’t it be a good idea for us to have something for people to look at and do while they are here? An open air museum based on these trenches, with a small purpose built museum at the bottom of the coppice would bring folk flocking in from all corners! And it’s something that would attract outside funding – that should make him prick up his ears.

[Acrylic-bob]

And while we are at it, what about a museum of the history of the Textile Industry in Hyndburn???

[Ceejache]

I read the letter AB and I have to say it is a fantastic idea as is your own! If we are going to have a tourist industry then lets utilise the very things that made this area what it is/was.

[WillowTheWhisp]

Excellent idea - and while we're at it lets have an easy way for people to get up there. Some people find the climb very difficult if not impossible. Even at the back of the Coppice where the "new" road goes through there is a layby and a pathway but although it starts off gentle it does get steeper towards the top. Yet not much farther along there is a gentler sloping path from the opposite direction but nowhere at the bottom to officially park. Perhaps a small car park there could be possible? If visitors were able to drive, park and then walk up a gentle incline they would be more inclined to go up there (excuse the pun).

[mez]

wot a brilliant idea, i like most accringtonians have sat back & let it decay round me, i will back and applaud all who have the patience to put such brilliant ideas forewards , lets hope that h.b.c. go some way to listening , thank you :thumbs up:

[lettie]

I agree, the trenches are still very much evident up the coppice. This should be utilised as a historical site of interest instead of some expensive eyesore being plonked on the top of it.

[Acrylic-bob]

I have put together a brief letter to 'Richy' Rix at HBC to give you something to work with, feel free to copy it or change it.
Please add your name, print it and send it! They won't do anything unless we all make a noise.

Come on chaps, I can hear the whistle, it's time to get our helmets on and 'go over the top'!


LETTER

__________________________________________________ ____________
Mr. N. Rix
Director
Hyndburn FIRST
The Globe Centre
St James' Square
Accrington
BB5 0RE




Dear Mr. Rix,

Re: Panopticon Proposals

As you are no doubt aware, there has been considerable local dissent regarding the proposed siting of the Panopticon Sculpture on the edge of the Coppice in Accrington, as exemplified in a recent letter to the editor of The Accrington Observer and Times, dated 6th August2004, by Mr. L. Bond. I should like to endorse Mr Bond’s ideas and commend him for his public spiritedness.

If the council are in earnest in wishing to encourage tourism in the area then it would seem to be folly of the worst sort to allow such an important part of the town’s heritage to decay any further, when, with a little thought, it could be turned to the benefit of the borough.
It would also be of benefit to the borough if a small museum were to be created at the foot of the Coppice to illuminate and explain the history and experiences of the young men who fought in the Great War and also the experiences of those they left behind at home. It strikes me that we have, for too long, allowed our story to be told by people from outside the borough in books, plays and films. How much better would it be if we could begin to tell that story ourselves.

I feel sure that there are any number of independent funding bodies who would be only to happy to assist in planning and funding such a worthwhile educational and cultural enterprise.

I look forward to hearing your views on this matter.

Yours sincerely,

[accyplus]

I do not wish to be negative about any development around the area of coppice,
but after recent events (the bandstand)for example.Anything constructive in the
coppice and surounding area,s would be a vandals dream.

[Acrylic-bob]

I agree that the mindless minority present a problem, but we cannot sit on our hands and do nothing. Besides, How much damage can they do to a hole in the ground?

I have the distinct feeling that perhaps I shouldn't have said that; tempting fate and all that.

[WillowTheWhisp]

Originally Posted by Acrylic-bob

Besides, How much damage can they do to a hole in the ground?

Probably less than they could do to a panopticon.

[Doug]

The problem you face with this project would be the level of preservation as it is now, and how would you conduct the re excavation of the site. This process could in itself, be destructive.

Your also talking about an archaeological site that would need to be protected not only from the mindless little B******s who seek to destroy our heritage, HBC and the local vandals. But also the elements of sun, rain, snow and wind. The wildlife on the coppice would also play a part in the destruction once the archaeology is exposed.

But your main threat would be the tourists themselves. Their management of these nice people would need to be a primary concern. Picture all those dads that have read a book about the First World War demonstrating “going over the Top” to their little darlings, who following them over, destroying the trench in the process.

If people can’t have the “hands on experience”, they may not be interested in coming to see them in the first place.

I suggest a full consultative discussion should now take place in the Heritage Forum as how we can achieve this………….

[WillowTheWhisp]

Some valid points there Doug

[Doug]

I love this sort of stuff willow, but we must be careful, good intentions and all that. That said this can be another excuse for me to come over and have a look around....

Nice to have you back by the way.

[WillowTheWhisp]

We used to play up there as children and probably did a fair old bit of damage to the trenches then. I remember my Dad trying to convince me that Kaiser Bill had invaded Accy and been defeated on top of the Coppice!

I'm only back temporarily - off again on Monday.

[Acrylic-bob]

I have mixed feelings about this. One part of me says that we should do our best to preserve and protect what is left. This would mean sealing the site, sort of like preserving it in aspic and it would become Accrington's equivalent of Stonehenge, bereft of purpose, save as a museum exhibit.

The other part of me quite likes the idea of dad's and sons climbing in and out of the trenches, and that part of me also feels that the lads who originally dug these trenches might feel the same way too. There is no substitute for learning how a thing works than getting your hands mucky.

It's a potentially contentious issue and one where hopefully we would be able to strike a happy medium.