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Letters - December 18
We were right to bid for Lowry
Before anyone gets into a hissy fit or the usual suspects start throwing out more political red herrings than a Baltic trawler, I would like to comment on the recent decision to bid for the Lowry Painting.
The most encouraging aspect was the fact the National Heritage and the Arts Council wanted to invest in Blackpool by supporting the bid with more than half of the 1m pot.
Both esteemed organisations had enough belief in Blackpool's vision of culture to encourage the town to own the painting. This wasn't a pie in the sky promise like many made by the previous Labour administration that never materialised, this was hard cash. The cheque books were already open.
Blackpool's minority share of the bid was financed from the reserves of the airport sale. These funds were last used when a desperate Labour Council wasted a million pounds or more on a superficial fix to our crumbling roads and pavements. Their quick flash of tarmac, like their promises, didn't last.
So what if we had won the painting?
Thousands of visitors with their wallets and purses would have made the pilgrimage to see it, national bodies and organisations would recognise Blackpool's cultural appeal and continue to support our objectives and we would have prevented a painting with such an important connection to Blackpool from being kept in a private collection.
We could have also 'loaned' the painting to other galleries and our minimal investment would reap substantial interest many times.
More importantly, we would have brought a work of unique and wonderful art to Blackpool to be enjoyed for free by future generations long after big wheels and glass palaces had crumbled.
COUN TONY WILLIAMS
Cabinet Member for Culture and Communities, Blackpool Council
l It is a pity we missed out on the Lowry. This would have proved to be an asset which would have increased in value – better than money in the bank, a true win win situation.
The picture captures an important moment in our history when the resort was busy with pre-war visitors exploring the wonders of the then fast-changing Blackpool. A time when past attractions were giving way to the exciting vibrant heroic architecture which in the immediate post war years gave Blackpool the competitive edge over other destinations.
In recent years the council has sold off much of the "family silver" – town centre freeholds, the airport, the zoo etc. with hardly a public murmur.
It would have been good to see have seen a worthwhile acquisition for a change.
Council leader Peter Callow displayed courage and imagination in attempting to obtain something of rare beauty and value for the people.
There will be criticism and yes the money could be spent on other things. An electric fence round Marton Windmill? Cleaning the chewing gum from town centre pavements?
Those who criticise miss the main point. Should we not all be livid that Blackpool, once regarded as the most powerful, swaggeringly successful, richest resort in Europe was beaten and could not afford the Lowry?
BARRY MORRIS
Retired Blackpool Tourism Director
Singleton
l It would have made a fabulous centre for an exhibition on our unique history and all the schoolchildren could have seen it to help put some pride back into the town.
When Morecambe proposed to build the Eric Morecambe statue, many residents and businesses said it would be a waste of money.
Now, however, coach tours divert to stay in the town just so people can see it. The Lowry painting would have attracted many people and given Blackpool publicity for something other than tack.
Blackpool needs a good clean up. We could make so much more of our heritage, our relatively sunny climate and great location for living and working on the Fylde Coast. Let's hope the private collector, who thought it worth a lot more than we bid, will generously loan it to the town it so marvellously depicts.
Incidentally I am a sandgrown'un from the first Polish Invasion.
STEFAN MASLACZYK
Edgeway Road, Blackpool
l My figures from the May council election results showed 82 per cent of the Blackpool electorate did NOT vote for the Conservatives.
What a surprise, then, to learn that a group of councillors who only got the backing of 18 per cent of the electorate can go out and try to spend half a million quid from the public purse without a mention to Joe Public.
Coun Peter Callow describes it as "a great coup, one which would have drawn more people to the town to see it." Does he not realise people throng to the Lowry Centre because there is an entertaining mix of activities, not just one picture hanging on a nail.
Following The Gazette's survey about people's thoughts on last season, perhaps you could run a survey on what people think 500,000 could be better spent on.
I bet services will be cut and rates increased above the rate of inflation again but the airport money just sits in the bank. I no longer live in Blackpool but I'm still interested in the town.
DAVE MURTEN
Catterall
l Whatever people's views on the cost of the painting, no-one can deny Lowry's painting is a fine work of art, and an important part of this town's heritage. Wouldn't it be a fantastic gesture on the part of the mystery buyer to donate it to the Grundy for a couple of months each year so the people of Blackpool also get a chance to see the picture "in the flesh"? I hope the council pursues this idea.
PAUL MAYNARD
Conservative Parliamentary Candidate
Blackpool North and Cleveleys
Gin trap pain was horrible
I was so incensed by the article (The Gazette, November 30) about the gin trap and poor Henry's experience, the pain he suffered must have been intolerable.
Why are there so many horrible disgusting people about? To think 'they' were once babies seems incredible. Perhaps they had horrible disgusting parents who go hunting and shooting and setting snares and regard it as the 'norm'.
What upsets me too, is the expression 'they behaved like animals'. No animal does what human beings do, mugging, people, torturing. They kill for food and not for the fun of it and gaining a piece of land. If there is a God and he sees what everybody does, what does he think about the world? Give me some answers please and always try to help people and animals.
Mrs Liz Brown
Cartmell Avenue, Larkholme
Thank-you to the carol singers
I would like to thank everybody, on behalf of Churches Together in Poulton and Carleton, who took part in the carol singing in Poulton Market Place on December 15. We were even blessed with good weather! I would particularly like to thank Poulton Band for providing the music, Father Christmas for meeting the children, and, perhaps most importantly, the public who joined in the singing.
After last year's problems and disappointments, it was, for me, a real source of pleasure that the event went off so well.
DAVID FERRETT
Secretary, Churches Together in Poulton and Carleton
Elvaston Road, Carleton
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Wednesday 30 May 2012
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