Bronze plaque tribute to be unveiled to 'Mr Lytham' Alan Ashton at Lytham Assembly Rooms
Lasting tribute planned to heritage stalwart who was key figure in Lytham.
A lasting tribute to a community stalwart fondly known as ‘Mr Lytham’ is to be unveiled at a ceremony in the town next month.
Alan Ashton, a leading heritage campaigner and a founder member of Lytham Town Trust and Lytham Heritage Group, and the Trust’s first chairman, is to have a bronze plaque in his memory at Lytham Assembly Rooms.
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The plaque in honour of Mr Ashton, who died aged 91 in 2019 and had also been a key figure in the preservation of Lytham Hall, will be unveiled at the 35th anniversary celebration of the Trust on May 19.
David Gill, the current chairman of the Lytham Town Trust, said in tribute following Mr Ashton’s death: “Alan was a great friend of the Town.
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“He was a founding director, chairman and prime instigator of Lytham Town Trust, formed in 1991 to take over the management of the former Lytham Baths building as a community centre, renamed The Assembly Rooms, which was leased from Fylde Council at a nominal rent.
“The Town Trust had no money initially but the task was made easier by Guardian Insurance renting the office space on the first floor, thanks to the relationship Alan had with the then head of Guardian locally Barry Fothergill.
“In 1996, Guardian put Lytham Hall up for sale and Alan resolved he would do everything he could, through the Town Trust, to acquire it for the community.
“In truth, the board thought we had little chance of success but Alan spoke with Frank Roe, a former head of BAe who in turn spoke with the then chairman Dick Evans.
“The result was that BAe gave an extremely generous donation of £1m to the Town Trust to buy the Hall.
“Since then, Alan’s wish of seeing increased public access to, and use of, the Hall has been fulfilled to an extent that possibly exceeded even his expectations.
“Alan’s declining health meant he was unable to play an active part in the affairs of the Town Trust in the years up to his death, but he was pleased to remain its president and was always keen to hear the news of what had been happening.
“He also remained a frequent visitor to the Hall while he continued to be mobile.”