We want village for Saxon King (From Echo)

The proposed scheme would provide a tasteful and appropriate setting for the treasures of the Prittlewell Prince in a stunning, state-of-the-art visitor attraction.

“The council is committed to ensuring the Prittlewell Prince’s treasures are returned to Southend and remain here.” Said the council’s corporate director for adult and community services. How worrying! The words 'state of the art' although very popular with SBC at present, are completely inappropriate in relation to the Saxon King. The Priory Park idea sounds great. Go for it!

Since the discoveries were made on a small patch of grassland, next to a main road, I fail to see why a location of the museum adjacent to this area is so critical. I have visited many museums around the country, which, despite containing items found on local sites, place their museums in areas where they are most likely to attract visitors. Priory park, I firmly believe, is used more by local people and many visitors to the town are probably less likely to visit the museum there than in busier areas such as the seafont. Why not help to dispel the " kiss me quick" image of the seafront by placing a more cultural attraction there. I wonder why "geographical experts have not, (yet, perhaps ??), given permission to be named ??.
The "campaigners" make many comments and statements but with little actual evidence in this article to back them up. More information please!!!.

imco wrote:
The proposed scheme would provide a tasteful and appropriate setting for the treasures of the Prittlewell Prince in a stunning, state-of-the-art visitor attraction. “The council is committed to ensuring the Prittlewell Prince’s treasures are returned to Southend and remain here.” Said the council’s corporate director for adult and community services. How worrying! The words 'state of the art' although very popular with SBC at present, are completely inappropriate in relation to the Saxon King. The Priory Park idea sounds great. Go for it!

"state of the art" visitor centers,with the use of modern technology, tend to attract many visitors. Dusty old museums probably do not. Most Heritage centres I have visited are very "high-tech" but none the worse for that !!!. It might be more children would visitt !!

I would like to see it built in Priory Park.The park is one of our few remaining green spaces and is beautifully kept.Well done,gardeners! However the council will do what ever it wants,so expect the museum to be located on the seafront.

I heard it on the grapevine wrote:
I would like to see it built in Priory Park.The park is one of our few remaining green spaces and is beautifully kept.Well done,gardeners! However the council will do what ever it wants,so expect the museum to be located on the seafront.

Since very few people will probably express an opinion, no doubt the council will do what we elected them to do and make decisions on our behalf !!!.
PS there would probably be protests if trees were cut down to locate a building or complex there and, equally, complaints if built on the open field and sports areas.

openspace wrote:

I heard it on the grapevine wrote: I would like to see it built in Priory Park.The park is one of our few remaining green spaces and is beautifully kept.Well done,gardeners! However the council will do what ever it wants,so expect the museum to be located on the seafront.

Since very few people will probably express an opinion, no doubt the council will do what we elected them to do and make decisions on our behalf !!!. PS there would probably be protests if trees were cut down to locate a building or complex there and, equally, complaints if built on the open field and sports areas.

PPS, forgot to ask, "few remaining green spaces" !!!!!!!. How many have disappeared over the last few years ???.
Southend is quite well off for parks compared to some, correction, many other towns, ( examples available if requested )

Skipp/PPPS fail to say where people will park.

openspace wrote:

openspace wrote:

I heard it on the grapevine wrote: I would like to see it built in Priory Park.The park is one of our few remaining green spaces and is beautifully kept.Well done,gardeners! However the council will do what ever it wants,so expect the museum to be located on the seafront.

Since very few people will probably express an opinion, no doubt the council will do what we elected them to do and make decisions on our behalf !!!. PS there would probably be protests if trees were cut down to locate a building or complex there and, equally, complaints if built on the open field and sports areas.

PPS, forgot to ask, "few remaining green spaces" !!!!!!!. How many have disappeared over the last few years ???. Southend is quite well off for parks compared to some, correction, many other towns, ( examples available if requested )

Just checked the local council website, ( Parks page ). 650+ acres of green areas/parks listed, ( does not include many smaller parks/play areas and green squares ). Not bad for a town of this size, I suspect.

Max Impact wrote:
Skipp/PPPS fail to say where people will park.

This is not a sarcastic comment, but it would obviously be necessary to cut down trees or use open parkland to provide extra parking places. Nobody would complain about this, would they ?????????

openspace wrote:

openspace wrote:

I heard it on the grapevine wrote: I would like to see it built in Priory Park.The park is one of our few remaining green spaces and is beautifully kept.Well done,gardeners! However the council will do what ever it wants,so expect the museum to be located on the seafront.

Since very few people will probably express an opinion, no doubt the council will do what we elected them to do and make decisions on our behalf !!!. PS there would probably be protests if trees were cut down to locate a building or complex there and, equally, complaints if built on the open field and sports areas.

PPS, forgot to ask, "few remaining green spaces" !!!!!!!. How many have disappeared over the last few years ???.
Southend is quite well off for parks compared to some, correction, many other towns, ( examples available if requested )

o.k I stand corrected. But on the other hand I have lived in this town since 1966 and it has gradually become more built up since then. So I guess we are both right.

''I heard it on the grapevine, westcliff on sea says...
11:53am Wed 14 Apr 10

I would like to see it built in Priory Park.The park is one of our few remaining green spaces and is beautifully kept.Well done,gardeners! However the council will do what ever it wants,so expect the museum to be located on the seafront.''

If PP is "one of our few remaining Green spaces" why on earth would you want to see something built there ?

Firestorm wrote:
''I heard it on the grapevine, westcliff on sea says...
11:53am Wed 14 Apr 10

I would like to see it built in Priory Park.The park is one of our few remaining green spaces and is beautifully kept.Well done,gardeners! However the council will do what ever it wants,so expect the museum to be located on the seafront.''

If PP is "one of our few remaining Green spaces" why on earth would you want to see something built there ?

Read the story again.It states that the council depot which is a brown field site would be used,and no plants would be affected.

I heard it on the grapevine wrote:

openspace wrote:

openspace wrote:

I heard it on the grapevine wrote: I would like to see it built in Priory Park.The park is one of our few remaining green spaces and is beautifully kept.Well done,gardeners! However the council will do what ever it wants,so expect the museum to be located on the seafront.

Since very few people will probably express an opinion, no doubt the council will do what we elected them to do and make decisions on our behalf !!!. PS there would probably be protests if trees were cut down to locate a building or complex there and, equally, complaints if built on the open field and sports areas.

PPS, forgot to ask, "few remaining green spaces" !!!!!!!. How many have disappeared over the last few years ???. Southend is quite well off for parks compared to some, correction, many other towns, ( examples available if requested )

o.k I stand corrected. But on the other hand I have lived in this town since 1966 and it has gradually become more built up since then. So I guess we are both right.

Thanks for that. I have been here some 20 odd years longer and would agree that, like many other towns, ( you are right ), the area has become more built up. However, most of this development has, I believe, been on small waste or re-developed sites. There are actually more parks here than in my childhood, and more trees, ( I am pleased to say ). Churchill Gardens is a case in point, ( nice place ). We have also gained some war department land at Shoebury, ( although some is being built on ). Another new park, not too many years ago, at Eastwood. Nothing to get too smug about but occasional small steps in the right direction. Local councils, of different political persuasions, have sometimes made the right decisions.

I heard it on the grapevine wrote:

Firestorm wrote: ''I heard it on the grapevine, westcliff on sea says... 11:53am Wed 14 Apr 10 I would like to see it built in Priory Park.The park is one of our few remaining green spaces and is beautifully kept.Well done,gardeners! However the council will do what ever it wants,so expect the museum to be located on the seafront.'' If PP is "one of our few remaining Green spaces" why on earth would you want to see something built there ?

Read the story again.It states that the council depot which is a brown field site would be used,and no plants would be affected.

And the council depot would go where, exactly??, ( or is it no longer needed ?). Also, would not more traffic joining the road at this site, add to existing traffic problems with Priory Crescent, (joining the road close to a bend ?? ). ( Agreed that the original proposal was not for Priory Park, this was a suggestion from another post ).

openspace wrote:

I heard it on the grapevine wrote:

Firestorm wrote: ''I heard it on the grapevine, westcliff on sea says... 11:53am Wed 14 Apr 10 I would like to see it built in Priory Park.The park is one of our few remaining green spaces and is beautifully kept.Well done,gardeners! However the council will do what ever it wants,so expect the museum to be located on the seafront.'' If PP is "one of our few remaining Green spaces" why on earth would you want to see something built there ?

Read the story again.It states that the council depot which is a brown field site would be used,and no plants would be affected.

And the council depot would go where, exactly??, ( or is it no longer needed ?). Also, would not more traffic joining the road at this site, add to existing traffic problems with Priory Crescent, (joining the road close to a bend ?? ). ( Agreed that the original proposal was not for Priory Park, this was a suggestion from another post ).

PS, I suspect that a seafront museum would have a large amount of " walk-in " out-of-town visitors who had already parked for their seafront visit. A museum at the site suggested adjacent to Priory Park, would undoubtedly lead to a majority of visitors driving and parking there for relatively short visits. Also, unless it became a huge and comprehensive visitor attraction, it would probably not be very well patronised, just a "one-off" visit from local residents.
Cynical comment, possibly, accurate, probably !!.

"...CAMPAIGNERS are calling for a purpose-built museum in Southend’s Priory Park to house the Saxon King remains...."
.
So, who are these campaigners ?

APR wrote:
"...CAMPAIGNERS are calling for a purpose-built museum in Southend’s Priory Park to house the Saxon King remains...." . So, who are these campaigners ?

It only takes a ( very) small vocal minority to generate this sort of headline, ( sells newspapers, though ).

I really dont understand what all the cahfuffle is about.
.
It's simple...
.
The museum will be built wherever Chainsaw wants it built!
.
Case closed.

openspace wrote:

I heard it on the grapevine wrote:

Firestorm wrote: ''I heard it on the grapevine, westcliff on sea says... 11:53am Wed 14 Apr 10 I would like to see it built in Priory Park.The park is one of our few remaining green spaces and is beautifully kept.Well done,gardeners! However the council will do what ever it wants,so expect the museum to be located on the seafront.'' If PP is "one of our few remaining Green spaces" why on earth would you want to see something built there ?

Read the story again.It states that the council depot which is a brown field site would be used,and no plants would be affected.

And the council depot would go where, exactly??, ( or is it no longer needed ?). Also, would not more traffic joining the road at this site, add to existing traffic problems with Priory Crescent, (joining the road close to a bend ?? ). ( Agreed that the original proposal was not for Priory Park, this was a suggestion from another post ).

To be honest I had not thought that far ahead.What you say makes a lot of sense. Bear in mind though that parking spaces can be impossible to find along the seafront in high season.,so visitors to the museum may have trouble parking. As for the depot question,your guess is as good as mine.

Peter Pantsless wrote:
I really dont understand what all the cahfuffle is about. . It's simple... . The museum will be built wherever Chainsaw wants it built! . Case closed.

Nice to see constructive and informed comments on this issue. Unfortunately, this was not one of them !!!.

I heard it on the grapevine wrote:

openspace wrote:

I heard it on the grapevine wrote:

Firestorm wrote: ''I heard it on the grapevine, westcliff on sea says... 11:53am Wed 14 Apr 10 I would like to see it built in Priory Park.The park is one of our few remaining green spaces and is beautifully kept.Well done,gardeners! However the council will do what ever it wants,so expect the museum to be located on the seafront.'' If PP is "one of our few remaining Green spaces" why on earth would you want to see something built there ?

Read the story again.It states that the council depot which is a brown field site would be used,and no plants would be affected.

And the council depot would go where, exactly??, ( or is it no longer needed ?). Also, would not more traffic joining the road at this site, add to existing traffic problems with Priory Crescent, (joining the road close to a bend ?? ). ( Agreed that the original proposal was not for Priory Park, this was a suggestion from another post ).

To be honest I had not thought that far ahead.What you say makes a lot of sense. Bear in mind though that parking spaces can be impossible to find along the seafront in high season.,so visitors to the museum may have trouble parking. As for the depot question,your guess is as good as mine.

I think locals will probably visit off-season and I suspect that many seafront visitors will combine a museum visit with other attractions, SO, it might not make too much difference to sea-front parking. I guess we will see when, ( and if, still a big IF ), it happens.

openspace wrote:

Peter Pantsless wrote: I really dont understand what all the cahfuffle is about. . It's simple... . The museum will be built wherever Chainsaw wants it built! . Case closed.

Nice to see constructive and informed comments on this issue. Unfortunately, this was not one of them !!!.

Openspace, I must congratulate you for being so observant.
.
It's actually a 'statement of fact'
.
Chainsaw's reputation defines this.

openspace wrote:

I heard it on the grapevine wrote:

openspace wrote:

I heard it on the grapevine wrote:

Firestorm wrote: ''I heard it on the grapevine, westcliff on sea says... 11:53am Wed 14 Apr 10 I would like to see it built in Priory Park.The park is one of our few remaining green spaces and is beautifully kept.Well done,gardeners! However the council will do what ever it wants,so expect the museum to be located on the seafront.'' If PP is "one of our few remaining Green spaces" why on earth would you want to see something built there ?

Read the story again.It states that the council depot which is a brown field site would be used,and no plants would be affected.

And the council depot would go where, exactly??, ( or is it no longer needed ?). Also, would not more traffic joining the road at this site, add to existing traffic problems with Priory Crescent, (joining the road close to a bend ?? ). ( Agreed that the original proposal was not for Priory Park, this was a suggestion from another post ).

To be honest I had not thought that far ahead.What you say makes a lot of sense. Bear in mind though that parking spaces can be impossible to find along the seafront in high season.,so visitors to the museum may have trouble parking. As for the depot question,your guess is as good as mine.

I think locals will probably visit off-season and I suspect that many seafront visitors will combine a museum visit with other attractions, SO, it might not make too much difference to sea-front parking. I guess we will see when, ( and if, still a big IF ), it happens.

Absolutely,good point.

Why not build a new museum on the old Lookers Renault site or has this been earmarked for something (Prittlebrook Estate)?
It is right next to the land where the king is buried (so it can be incorporated into the plans) plenty of parking they could also almalgamate all the local museums here and tie in an Ecko display. all this just over the road from maybe a nice new Picnic area in Priory Park.

(my security words tie in nicely with my last sentence, FOOD-DRAW, how do they do that? ;-) )

just one problem with my above post, the stink from the treatment works.

j-w wrote:
Why not build a new museum on the old Lookers Renault site or has this been earmarked for something (Prittlebrook Estate)? It is right next to the land where the king is buried (so it can be incorporated into the plans) plenty of parking they could also almalgamate all the local museums here and tie in an Ecko display. all this just over the road from maybe a nice new Picnic area in Priory Park. (my security words tie in nicely with my last sentence, FOOD-DRAW, how do they do that? ;-) )

Same problem as with suggested site, the other side of the railway, traffic access into Priory Crescent. It was bad when Lookers and the banks were there. Spent ages trying to pull out onto main road quite often, ( this was 10+ years ago, would be worse now.

I heard it on the grapevine wrote:

openspace wrote:

I heard it on the grapevine wrote:

openspace wrote:

I heard it on the grapevine wrote:

Firestorm wrote: ''I heard it on the grapevine, westcliff on sea says... 11:53am Wed 14 Apr 10 I would like to see it built in Priory Park.The park is one of our few remaining green spaces and is beautifully kept.Well done,gardeners! However the council will do what ever it wants,so expect the museum to be located on the seafront.'' If PP is "one of our few remaining Green spaces" why on earth would you want to see something built there ?

Read the story again.It states that the council depot which is a brown field site would be used,and no plants would be affected.

And the council depot would go where, exactly??, ( or is it no longer needed ?). Also, would not more traffic joining the road at this site, add to existing traffic problems with Priory Crescent, (joining the road close to a bend ?? ). ( Agreed that the original proposal was not for Priory Park, this was a suggestion from another post ).

To be honest I had not thought that far ahead.What you say makes a lot of sense. Bear in mind though that parking spaces can be impossible to find along the seafront in high season.,so visitors to the museum may have trouble parking. As for the depot question,your guess is as good as mine.

I think locals will probably visit off-season and I suspect that many seafront visitors will combine a museum visit with other attractions, SO, it might not make too much difference to sea-front parking. I guess we will see when, ( and if, still a big IF ), it happens.

Absolutely,good point.

Just a further thought. Although the find is of huge archeological interest, having attended two talks held on the finds, I am not certain that enough material was found to provide material for a whole museum, perhaps just a large section. The proposed idea was, I think to combine this with the Southend Museum and Art Gallery exhibits. I think it is ( just )possible that the Saxon King,( or prince/whatever ), exhibits might not be the huge draw that is anticipated. Even if it is, it needs to be in a place which is central and easily accessible, ( by foot and car ), not a bit out of town.

I thought we already had a Saxon luddites village in the park, have the court made them go?

"he statement also said geological experts, which the group refuses to name because it says it does not have permission to do so, have warned the council the cliff site is “unsuitable for construction” because the ground is too unstable and prone to flooding."
.......
We know the cliffs are unstable, thats part of the reason they are in the state they are in. The construction of the museum would see to that, but only after suitable surveys. This is a plan afterall.
As for flooding, perhaps the whole seafront and any business or project should be abandoned in case of flooding?
As for the brownfield depot in the park... So Mark Sharpe is suggesting increasing the traffic going into park land after the farce that was Cuckoo corner protests.?
Doe's anybody else not find this a tad contradictory?
As has been suggested, the seafront would attract alot of pasing trade and also draw people to the seafront. They in turn may chose to eat at the front or explore other attractions.
It makes perfect sense.
Finally our council are planning and implementing real improvements to Southend, despite the usual nay sayers.

Peter Pantsless wrote:

openspace wrote:

Peter Pantsless wrote: I really dont understand what all the cahfuffle is about. . It's simple... . The museum will be built wherever Chainsaw wants it built! . Case closed.

Nice to see constructive and informed comments on this issue. Unfortunately, this was not one of them !!!.

Openspace, I must congratulate you for being so observant. . It's actually a 'statement of fact' . Chainsaw's reputation defines this.

Your version of "fact".
Just a thought, if someone who cuts down a few trees for development is called "chainsaw", what do you call the same person if they plant twice as many??. Tricky one, that !!!!

I heard it on the grapevine wrote:

openspace wrote:

I heard it on the grapevine wrote:

openspace wrote:

I heard it on the grapevine wrote:

Firestorm wrote: ''I heard it on the grapevine, westcliff on sea says... 11:53am Wed 14 Apr 10 I would like to see it built in Priory Park.The park is one of our few remaining green spaces and is beautifully kept.Well done,gardeners! However the council will do what ever it wants,so expect the museum to be located on the seafront.'' If PP is "one of our few remaining Green spaces" why on earth would you want to see something built there ?

Read the story again.It states that the council depot which is a brown field site would be used,and no plants would be affected.

And the council depot would go where, exactly??, ( or is it no longer needed ?). Also, would not more traffic joining the road at this site, add to existing traffic problems with Priory Crescent, (joining the road close to a bend ?? ). ( Agreed that the original proposal was not for Priory Park, this was a suggestion from another post ).

To be honest I had not thought that far ahead.What you say makes a lot of sense. Bear in mind though that parking spaces can be impossible to find along the seafront in high season.,so visitors to the museum may have trouble parking. As for the depot question,your guess is as good as mine.

I think locals will probably visit off-season and I suspect that many seafront visitors will combine a museum visit with other attractions, SO, it might not make too much difference to sea-front parking. I guess we will see when, ( and if, still a big IF ), it happens.

Absolutely,good point.

Typical newcomer to the town with fancy ideas! There is already a museum - why do we want/need another one? Southend is never going to be the day-trippers cultural centre so why try and believe otherwise - they come here to tie handkerchiefs around the head, and sunbathe inbetween stuffing their faces with greasy burgers and drinking themselves into oblivion before having a good punch up and then getting the train back to Shittenham and Redbridge. Get real - people don't/won't come here for the/any museum!

perini wrote:

I heard it on the grapevine wrote:

openspace wrote:

I heard it on the grapevine wrote:

openspace wrote:

I heard it on the grapevine wrote:

Firestorm wrote: ''I heard it on the grapevine, westcliff on sea says... 11:53am Wed 14 Apr 10 I would like to see it built in Priory Park.The park is one of our few remaining green spaces and is beautifully kept.Well done,gardeners! However the council will do what ever it wants,so expect the museum to be located on the seafront.'' If PP is "one of our few remaining Green spaces" why on earth would you want to see something built there ?

Read the story again.It states that the council depot which is a brown field site would be used,and no plants would be affected.

And the council depot would go where, exactly??, ( or is it no longer needed ?). Also, would not more traffic joining the road at this site, add to existing traffic problems with Priory Crescent, (joining the road close to a bend ?? ). ( Agreed that the original proposal was not for Priory Park, this was a suggestion from another post ).

To be honest I had not thought that far ahead.What you say makes a lot of sense. Bear in mind though that parking spaces can be impossible to find along the seafront in high season.,so visitors to the museum may have trouble parking. As for the depot question,your guess is as good as mine.

I think locals will probably visit off-season and I suspect that many seafront visitors will combine a museum visit with other attractions, SO, it might not make too much difference to sea-front parking. I guess we will see when, ( and if, still a big IF ), it happens.

Absolutely,good point.

Typical newcomer to the town with fancy ideas! There is already a museum - why do we want/need another one? Southend is never going to be the day-trippers cultural centre so why try and believe otherwise - they come here to tie handkerchiefs around the head, and sunbathe inbetween stuffing their faces with greasy burgers and drinking themselves into oblivion before having a good punch up and then getting the train back to Shittenham and Redbridge. Get real - people don't/won't come here for the/any museum!

As a long time resident, ( 60+ years ), I agree that many come here for the current seafront attractions. But that does not mean we cannot add to them, people may well not come here for the museum, but may well visit it IF it is centrally situated. They would probably not go down Victoria Avenue to our current museum or to the currently located Beecroft Art Gallery. They drive or come by train/coach and head straight for the seafront. Obvious really !!!. ( Well, it is to me ).

Laughs@ perini. You speak the truth, because this is the way it happens.You are on a roll buddy, making me laugh, and making my day! Thanks for that.

Only problem with using the depot site is you would have to widen Priory Crescent to a dual carriageway to take the extra traffic.

perini wrote:

I heard it on the grapevine wrote:

openspace wrote:

I heard it on the grapevine wrote:

openspace wrote:

I heard it on the grapevine wrote:

Firestorm wrote: ''I heard it on the grapevine, westcliff on sea says... 11:53am Wed 14 Apr 10 I would like to see it built in Priory Park.The park is one of our few remaining green spaces and is beautifully kept.Well done,gardeners! However the council will do what ever it wants,so expect the museum to be located on the seafront.'' If PP is "one of our few remaining Green spaces" why on earth would you want to see something built there ?

Read the story again.It states that the council depot which is a brown field site would be used,and no plants would be affected.

And the council depot would go where, exactly??, ( or is it no longer needed ?). Also, would not more traffic joining the road at this site, add to existing traffic problems with Priory Crescent, (joining the road close to a bend ?? ). ( Agreed that the original proposal was not for Priory Park, this was a suggestion from another post ).

To be honest I had not thought that far ahead.What you say makes a lot of sense. Bear in mind though that parking spaces can be impossible to find along the seafront in high season.,so visitors to the museum may have trouble parking. As for the depot question,your guess is as good as mine.

I think locals will probably visit off-season and I suspect that many seafront visitors will combine a museum visit with other attractions, SO, it might not make too much difference to sea-front parking. I guess we will see when, ( and if, still a big IF ), it happens.

Absolutely,good point.

Typical newcomer to the town with fancy ideas! There is already a museum - why do we want/need another one? Southend is never going to be the day-trippers cultural centre so why try and believe otherwise - they come here to tie handkerchiefs around the head, and sunbathe inbetween stuffing their faces with greasy burgers and drinking themselves into oblivion before having a good punch up and then getting the train back to Shittenham and Redbridge. Get real - people don't/won't come here for the/any museum!

This country is now littered with expensive museums/art galleries built in provincial towns, all funded by Lottery grants or regeneration money and they have one thing in common.

They are all failing .....

There is not the interest both locally or from so called tourists to sustain a museum of the size proposed.

Do the idiots on our Council really think that spending £35m to house a few saxon trinkets will suddenly transform Southend into a "must visit" destination for the luvvies and historians.

In addition even if people did decide to visit the proposed museum on the seafront they would give up because of the traffic chaos caused by Anna Waite cretinious alterations to the area.

We already have a museum of sufficient size to cope with demand. We don't need another.

When are our Councillors going to accept the fact that Southend is a day trip destination and start acting accordingly instead of swallowing every ludicrious pie in the sky idea proposed by Renaissance Southend.

I think the proposal, (if you check) was to combine the decaying Beecroft Art Gallery, the current museum and the Saxon King exhibits under one roof. The majority of new museums and heritage centres these days, ( certainly MANY that I have visited ), tend to have interactive displays, films, audio/visual displays and holograms, etc, and were mostly very busy on my visits, attracting people of all ages, including many children. I see no reason why, ( even in a "day-trippers" town ), we should be any different to them. It's a shame when we can't be proud of new ventures, ( regardless of which political party has instigated them ). "There is not the interest", just an opinion, nothing more, certainly not a fact. If it happens, we will have to wait to see who is right.