Curious visitors
 

Hi Everyone,

I'm a student from Sheffield Uni ,part of a group that are looking at the public space in the town centre. We've been wondering round a bit for the past week or so meeting people and getting to know the place a bit. We are really keen to know people's thoughts on the current town centre and what it could be like in the future.

Where would you say the heart of Accrington is?

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just off livingston road :)

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What scale are you looking at? I think most people would say that the heart of Accy is that area west of Manchester/Whalley road to the northern point where the railway viaduct crosses Whalley Road, then east of that viaduct to the southerly point which was the site of the old railway station, then north of a line running from that station to the police station on Manchester road..if that makes any sense. The epicentre of that would be the area around the town/market halls.

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How about the arcade? It has a lot of character...

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think tealeafs summed it pretty well. myself i would say the heart has long since been ripped out of our town.:(

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I would agree with Tealeaf, and entirely with Cashman’s Sentiment. I use to believe that the heart of Accrington was in it’s people, alas far too few people appear to hold it so close, those present on this site being the exception perhaps. From my childhood I recall a depth of pride and belonging which I feel is lost.

Maybe a little sentimental perhaps, but it was home and my first life’s breath.

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Has the town centre been changed a lot then? What's been ripped out exactly- is this physical, emotional or something else?

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I take it you mean wandering, not wondering around for the past week or so?

Sounds good.

What's the name of the course you're on?

I think I could handle that, and will enroll next year.

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:engsmil: The only thing wrong with Accrington is the town hall and the present incumbents, iv'e lived here all my life almost 64 years, my opinins count for nothing with these 'paid servants'.
Bring back the days of the 'professionals' who worked for nothing and did not need paying, the system was not perfect but at least they knew what they were doing, ok call them what you will tories ,bosses, or gaffers at least they ran the town within the budget, just as they ran their businesses.
This reply is my own opinion of the way I see this town today. :engsmil:

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Oh come on Cashman, only because like me, you are one of the older generation in town and long for the deck, the old jazz clubs. pubs as they were, etc. Things have had to change to suit a younger generation and this is what is happening.

We now have more shops than we ever did, although could do with a few more high street shops to bring the younger generation into town on a Saturday afternoon. I love the design of Broadway now and when the trees grow will be extremely pleasant to sit there in the Summers to come.

I also like the fact that there is very little traffic now in front of the Town/Market Hall and can stroll there a little safer than dodging the traffic to get to t'other side.

I think Marks and Spencers (sorry M&S) is the heart ... always meet someone I know in there when shopping.

Ok, not so many 'acquaintancies' as in the old days, as due to our loss of Industry, people are working further afield. I myself never travelled to Accrington centre whilst working in Manchester for 16 years ... no need.

Efforts are being made to improve Blackburn Road and looking much better.

We still have our Coppice and, if you make the effort, still a wonderful spectacle from there.

I think the nightlife is improving and love the way I am accepted for me, not my age, with the younger people of town .. just there to enjoy themselves. Events in our parks, more theatre events, etc., etc.

I will not profess to be an expert in Council matters, etc., but at least you have more access to speak your peace in what you wish to happen to your town instead of criticism constantly, behind their backs. No, I think the heart beat is still extremely strong ! There said my bit now. :p

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:engsmil: That traffic Kate x is right out side my front door twenty four hours a day, it's time it was put back in front of the town hall, if you cross after the police have gone 'to bed' nobody cares a damn everyone drives through, more so on council meeting days they are the worst offenders, that is why it will never be closed.
One persons solution is anothers problem, try sleeping with taxi drivers horns greeting each other at 4am.

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Well, that's illegal, ain't it ? .. report it. Have your say to the Council and see if they can be moved on. Planning has to be thought out for the good of the people as a whole (unfortunately for you), not for the individual.

Willow, sitting areas in town are usually not planned for long-stay periods, human traffic in a centre is moving all the time, and think you will find most people will stay on an average of around 15 minutes before moving off..Ok just made that stastitic up .. but most stastitics quoted are made up on the spur of the moment, (so stastitics prove:D ) but you must know what I mean. Can't think there was ever large numbers of peoples sat on the forms next to the sunken gardens when I used to visit town.

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:engsmil: Cuncillors are only concerned with the catchment area votes, not an old fool who is isolated in no mans land Katex, any cries of foul by myself would only provoke a good laugh at the town hall, has anyone won a do with a 'taxi' driver? Every driver that comes to the roundabout at Paradise St has at sometime or other pipped the horn in impatience, I know I hear them 24 hours a day.

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I feel Cashman is being a little dramatic! In my opinion accrington people are still proud of their town and appreciate the efforts being made on Broadway. It is bringing new life into the centre, although I do feel it is important not to lose the 'character' of the place. The market is unique and the arcade has identity which should be restored. I would also comment that more green spaces are needed.

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Yeh, sorry Willow, realised that after I had posted ... don't think many forms alongside the sunken gardens if I remember rightly, but would be good to see some piccies again.

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Here's the collection of Broadway pics I was thinking of. If you click the thumbnails you can see a larger version in the middle. The penultimate one shows the benches (more than we now have) and the walls that were often used as seats because the benches were full.

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I used to swing the chain links too .. wonder if at anytime, you held one end, me t'other, bet they are illegal now .. were pretty lethal looking. Wasn't there some on the Oak Hill Park Entrance ? Are they still there ?

Sorry Archstud (?) Got us reminiscing, and off yer' thread.

Anyway, Willow, shouldn't have bin sitting on the walls of the flower beds :D

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It is interesting to hear about what Accy used to be like.... I like the picture of the sunken gardens too, that bit by Marks and Sparks has changed a bit hasn't it?

What would be the one thing you would change about the town centre for future generations?

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A better, more imaginative council.

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....plus a much needed makeover for the bloody blue and white monstrosity, that is the Town Hall extension/Broadway shops.

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katex just answer this simple question! Do you think it has changed for the better? and as for the coppice they destroyed that lovely hill by planting all those sodding trees.ruining the hill and also the nice walk direct to the top.and pumpkin i don't think i'm being dramatic just stating it as i see it,but your entitled to your opinion.;)

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I always thought it was strange it was called the Coppice, yet didn't have any trees planted on it until relatively recently.

Surely it must have once been planted with trees, otherwise we wouldn't have called it the Coppice in the first place?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coppice

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Would it look 'natural'?:confused:

Coppicing is managed woodland after all.

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What I don't understand re:Broadway, is why they are resurfacing the bit that was supposedly finished last year, outside Home & Bargains?

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Unbelievable!!!

They already changed their minds last year about the surface, laying the red beachy grit on top of the finished black tarmac.

Not get drunk in a brewery springs to mind.

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Well, yes actually I do think it has changed for the better sweet, darling Cashman ... will ask a question with a question ... which time warp would you wish Accrington to be stuck in ? ... have to move on with modern trends to compete with other towns and the demands of the rising generations, don't you think ?

Loved the piccies from Willow of the sunken gardens because of my memories, however, if you think back, was very little shopping in the area of the now Arndale, was wholly the Market and the Market Hall, plus a few surrounding shops, that would not invite anyone now ... I had to travel to Man. to get a decent dress in them days.

Whether the council are implementing plans of great quality is a matter of the individual's taste, but at least, I feel a good effort is in force for the space available. Had to incorporate a car park too,because of the ongoing wealth/laziness of our society but at least they don't charge.

As for the Coppice, I love the trees .. a much more pleasant walk; and as for the direct route up to the top, could be extremely difficult, soggy and slippy with a few strips of concrete here and there, which disguised themselves as steps.

I would like to see a few more high street shops on the top end of Broadway instead of the Poundsaver shops and I think, in time, this could happen if a good case is put forward. Also, a regular night of late night shopping could help and give the town a buzz as workers can meet workers during these hours. Some sort of entertainment would be lovely too on this night on Broadway to jolly people along.

Course you entitled to your opinion .. I respect that, however, just a wild statement is of no use .. that's why Pumpkin said what she said.

Hope we still friends ... enjoy your hols xxxxx

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I heard today that the town hall has a wonderful ballroom- has anyone ever been to any celebrations there?

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And you once told us that you wanted to remain anonymous;)

I saw through you from the first time you posted:)

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Katex if the above is what you see and think of Accrington so be it, I really can't agree with you, I'd even go so far as to ask you to remove those rosed tinted spectacles you are wearing when you go into town. After reading your post all I could think of was the new Lily Allen video for the song L.D.N. try to watch it sometime.:)

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Someone has had a letter published anonymously in this weekend's Observer.

'Accrington is much improved, blah blah blah, aren't the council wonderful, blah blah blah, isn't Greg Pope awful, blah blah blah.'

I think it may have been a rose tinted, glasses wearing, Tory, who sadly didn't have the bottle to sign his name to his/her thoughts on the regeneration of Accrington.;)

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Hope ya' not suggesting 'tis me Garinda ... not so literate, I'm afraid. :D

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No, it might have been B. Pritcliffe though.:p

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Yes, has a good floor up there, however, never felt comfy in that ballroom, roof very high and lighting a little dull, long and narrow .. somehow not a good lay-out, not like the Conservative Club Ballroom which was squarer and could see most of the people in the room at any given time .. sure people understand what I mean.

Anyway, seems you lot from Sheffield will be in Accy on Tuesday on the market, to 'present ideas, proposals and visions of what could be possible in Accrington'. Cross referencing this thread also with Less's on Rose coloured criticism .. perhaps some of our members will visit you to see what outsiders and young bright minds have to say. ;)

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Eh, you what? What am I being blamed for now? That's Rindys thread not mine.:confused:

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Hmph ! Trust you to nitpick ! :p

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I though only the bit outside the pound shop had been worn away so soon. Home and Bargain must have a lot of special offers as well :D

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Wasn't the dance floor in Accy Con Club, the biggest sprung ballroom floor in the country?