[Acrylic-bob]

I have to agree with JohnW's assesment. I think the use of the adjective 'proud' is perhaps a little misleading. Especially when one considers that most of the things that would normally have given rise to that sentiment have long since ceased to exist or occur. It also tends to anchor consideration in the past rather than placing it in the present. I think that it is also pertinent to echo the view that there really isn't an awful lot to base the discussion on in the first place. In many ways Accrington and district has, historically, been poorly served by it's local government and captains of industry. There are few fine buildings and no notable institutions, Art is more often than not regarded as something that children do at school and to be disregarded once working life commences. It strikes me that one of the functions of local government should be to act, in the absence of a resident gentry,to raise standards above that deemed necessary for mere survival.