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Plain church gets its day in spotlight
FLEETWOOD'S Cinderella church is to have its day at the ball. The United Reformed Church been called the most unattractive place of worship in the port.
But it has been a surprise pick to be included in the town's biggest-ever Heritage Open Days - which could provide a welcome boost to the area's tourism industry.
Fleetwood Civic Society has produced a special brochure featuring 13 places of interest and alongside the 19th century buildings crafted by distinguished architects is the slab-sided URC – the brainchild of a local grocer.
Church leader Tom Birch said: "It was designed by Richard Garnett and he had historical precedents in mind because once you get inside you see the windows are pointed in a particular way and the arches are a particular style.
"Outside it looks like a warehouse but inside it has early English features.
"It is strange, but I think he was reading King Arthur at the time."
Mr Garnett had a well-known grocery business in the town and was a deacon of the church who volunteered to design the new building which went up in 1938.
His work was influenced by the Arts and Crafts Movement which included famous designer William Morris.
Mr Birch added: "The door latches and light fittings are arts and crafts so it makes the place a bit different."
The open days run from September 9 to 12.
They normally feature just a couple of Fleetwood buildings but this time the civic society has produced their extended brochure with 2,000, donated by Fleetwood Town Council.
The events will also be publicised on English Heritage's open days website.
Society chairman Margaret Daniels said: "Everyone of the buildings is well worth looking at.
"Hopefully it will bring in tourists as well as local people who can see what they have on their doorstep."
The URC will be open from 10am to 4pm on September 11.
Other attractions will include Rossall School, Fleetwood Masonic Hall, the North Euston Hotel, St Mary's RC, St Peter's, St Nicholas's and Mount Methodist Churches, Fleetwood museum, the Mount Pavilion and the Lower Lighthouse.
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Weather for Blackpool
Wednesday 30 May 2012
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