Arden Hall /Accy Stanley
 

I have been working with several amateur clubs to get it done up. Stanley have expressed an interest. I went around with them today. I think the potential is quite exciting as it needs a lot of money (which is hard to find) and it is in an mess and this is a good opportunity alongside LCC remade money/programme.

I intend to a poll of local residents if the interest goes any further.

What do people think? Positives and negatives?

Re: Arden Hall /Accy Stanley
 

What's it involve and what will it be when it's done Graham ?

Re: Arden Hall /Accy Stanley
 

To what use do you think that this site can be put to Graham, multi- functional or just one spacfic, I ask that because you mention Stanley. Not actually knowing the site I'm a bit in the dark as its been many years since I've been in that area, so its hard to picture it. Whats the aprox acreage and would the work includ groundwork as well as reclaiming the hall itself

Re: Arden Hall /Accy Stanley
 

needs more "Meat on the Bones" i think to be able to comment sensibly, certainly n appetite wetter.:confused:

Re: Arden Hall /Accy Stanley
 

I assume as you are talking Stanley, you are refering to the football field at the side of Arden Hall, - well its about time something was done with it, to benefit youth sport in general

Re: Arden Hall /Accy Stanley
 

I live very close to Arden Hall and would love to see the area done up, the grounds are great for taking the kids on a nature trail but would like to see a park in there again and a path across the bottom of the field would be nice too.

Re: Arden Hall /Accy Stanley
 

Are we talking about Stanley actually moving there lock, stock & barrel?

Re: Arden Hall /Accy Stanley
 

thats what i was saying? with we need more meat on the bones,dont think many,if any are aware about exactly whats being discussed.:confused:

Re: Arden Hall /Accy Stanley
 

I'll tell you something that would REALLY do some good for youth around here, sticking some timed lights up coppice football/basketball/tennis area like they have at rec in Baxenden near Hollins.

After dark theres nout to do. Throw some lights up there and you can play footy at night even in winter - onto a winner. Think the ones in Baxenden turn on around 7 and off at 10. If anyone goes to the coppice during the day or after-school time when light/weather permits they'd know how many can be up there. All those have nothing to do when night time hits - floodlight the area and you've got dozens of kids/teens occupied at night - that means they aren't standing round your streets.

Re: Arden Hall /Accy Stanley
 

Stanley want some permanent training facilities with modern pitches able to take heavy use. 3G & 4G.

Arden Hall rec can take 1 full size and one nearly full size. There are 20 odd garages on there, all demolished at present so there isn't a car/access problem.

The main issues would be vandalism, lights, fair use, community use, location of changing rooms and funding.

Re: Arden Hall /Accy Stanley
 

that sounds an idea worth exploring.

Re: Arden Hall /Accy Stanley
 

I agree cashy, anything that puts old run down places back for community use is great. As for funding, The National Lottery is a good way, but hell are they hard to deal with. I remember th Accrington Blind Society being turned down for a grant when they did up their Bank street premises, which I though was a scandal at the time, in veiw of the grants that were being given, but yes its a great idea

Re: Arden Hall /Accy Stanley
 

good idea.

The entire park has been allowed to fall into disrepair for far too long. I don't quite know how they could incorporate buildings into teh plan as it is a dark area that WILL suffer vandalism. But if the various problems can be remedied then Arden Hall will become an excellent location once again.

Re: Arden Hall /Accy Stanley
 

Thank you everyone for your comments. They have been very useful. I think it summed up the general view.

• Good idea
• Problems with vandalism need to be sorted.
• Buildings might be problem
• Current allotment holders would need to be accommodated

Re: Arden Hall /Accy Stanley
 

Still like to see a play are for children there, is there any chance of that?

Re: Arden Hall /Accy Stanley
 

Is there really need with it being so close to the coppice park ?

Re: Arden Hall /Accy Stanley
 

Now that depends if you like your play areas full of dog mess, broken glass and anti social chav youths monopolising the swings ! :eek:

Re: Arden Hall /Accy Stanley
 

then that begs the question, HOW to they going to prevent that with any new place? they can't even look after whats around now.;)

Re: Arden Hall /Accy Stanley
 

I think so yes if you look at the amount of housing estates in that area, though I do agree it would be easier to vandalise there as its surrounded by trees, the Coppice park is awful with broken glass and broken equipment last time we were there, must admit we tent to go to Oakhill park just thought if they were doing up the area do something for the local kids.

Re: Arden Hall /Accy Stanley
 

i agree it makes a bit of sense, but as the others are not looked after very well, it strikes me as a vandals paradise.

Re: Arden Hall /Accy Stanley
 

I'm sure it would be Cashy its a very secluded area just a shame thats all, though if they improve the pitches for Stanley maybe they could get something organised for training the local kids.

Re: Arden Hall /Accy Stanley
 

thats on the lines i was imagining, think the security angle needs great thought though. aint being a killjoy,just a realist.;)

Re: Arden Hall /Accy Stanley
 

I think there are issues. Also there will be issues with other sites. So it's a case of when and where do you put your foot forward?

Re: Arden Hall /Accy Stanley
 

Just read the Ob. Stanley refer to the walkabout but don't name Arden Hall. they seemed happy and did when we toured the site. Long way to go.

Re: Arden Hall /Accy Stanley
 

wherever they decide i reckon if they also encorperated training fer kids,it would make for a good thing fer kids n a great thing fer stanley,given time.;)

Re: Arden Hall /Accy Stanley
 

Why cannot Stanley use Highams Fields or the new Sports College grounds at Moorhead School??? I think that Arden Hall should be reserved as a refuge for wildlife and not turned into yet another sports facility. Surprisingly,there is more to life than football.

Re: Arden Hall /Accy Stanley
 

like what???:D;)

Re: Arden Hall /Accy Stanley
 

Its just the rec at the bottom where the only wildlife goes around in packs. If you dash up there now there now you can see them at one of there regular feeding times. It's easy to find their habitat. Just follow the beer cans.

Re: Arden Hall /Accy Stanley
 

Regular are we:p

Re: Arden Hall /Accy Stanley
 

I am an expert in obnoxiovor chavasouraus!!! It is not unknown for me to observe these creatures at nesting time, usually between 8pm and 2pm. I have followed them from their hunting grounds, Bold Street Of-licence, were they feast in packs of 20+, to their place of safety, Arden Hall bushes.

It's dangerous as fellow hunters, billsky-a-saurus, are predators but only occasionally when the calls of the resident-actil are loud and awakens bill-a-sauraus from it's deep slumber.

I have often found myself alone with obnoxiovor chavasouraus in the early hours and observed their pack like instinct from only a few inches from my long reach!!!

Re: Arden Hall /Accy Stanley
 

Must agree with you Graham its been terrible this weekend.I think its a brilliant idea of Stanley training there as to be honest the field is not used as a football pitch really just a place to exersice there dogs.

Re: Arden Hall /Accy Stanley
 

The facilities and suitability at highams are not up to the daily grind of football training, they're not currently up to the weekend games that are played on them as the drainage is awful. As for Moorhead those pitches aren't good either, although the drainage is better up there, the pitches get more than enough use from the school, plus where are the stanley players supposed to get changed when school is in session usually when they would be training.

Also I think another point to be made is that arden hall is a nice area for wildlife, but not the part of it that is being looked at I wouldn't have thought, more the old disused pitches area. Also Stanley are likely to want an all weather facility, not just grass pitches.

Re: Arden Hall /Accy Stanley
 

Stanley said this. They wanted somewhere their own in the mornings and community use afternoons and evenings. Arden Hall would meet those criteria.

Yes, I think if you know the area, you'd agree with that. They may be looking at a grass pitch at the side of Pinewood Drive above AH. They want 3G which they say is better than astro turf on the current AH pitch.

They ran up Spencer St kicking off wing mirrors yesterday. Had the police around several times. I'll be playing holy hell when I meet them soon. Got hold of a muppet on a bike too, told him to clear off, sign says... NO MOTORBIKES!!! Teresa phoned me off Oswald Street. She's 80. They spat and abused her and told her to FO when she caught them taking a plastic chair out of her back yard. Got the police to go and see her right away.

The Tories allowed that Of-Licence to be get a licence. Told them. Everyone else told them. The public... The Police have had enough, it's coming up for revocation soon. Its failed a test purchase recently with Trading Standards.

Re: Arden Hall /Accy Stanley
 

The junior footballers who are hoping to have Heys playing field as their base are named St Marys (I think)

They have already enlisted help from several sources for the considerable cost of installing new land drains, car park, changing hut, and secure fencing,
I read in local press that they are £10,000 short.

Have Stanley considered this as a training ground? - perhaps they could help with the funding. There already is an allweather pitch on site.

The plans provide for 2 senior and 2 junior pitches.
I read about it in the local press online but it now seems to have disappeared - I have searched.

Re: Arden Hall /Accy Stanley
 

It's been a Council cock-up from start to finish. I know Stanley were polite about it in the press. Stanley have insisted that I be there to help the process, but I have only been invited to the last couple of meetings.

All sites have not been covered Margaret. I raised this as did John Coleman and Jimmy. I can only do so much but the powers that be make these decisions.

Re: Arden Hall /Accy Stanley
 

Heys field is County owned but Hyndburn council have pledged some money (you probably know that).
If it was properly drained and fenced it would be a good football venue.

At present slutch pours off it like a river in heavy rain. It is misused by mini motobikes, quad bikes, trial bikes and dog owners.

Roving gangs of chavs have ceased to be a problem since the old changing rooms were demolished late last year (they used to sit on the steps drinking), but with secure fencing none of that should happen.

Re: Arden Hall /Accy Stanley
 

This site was mentioned with Stanley. However our Leader Cllr Britcliffe is trying tomake life a misery for LCC and relations are at a low. It is difficult to see a partnership in which LCC sit around Peter's table and chair the meeting. Cue Neil!!!!

Re: Arden Hall /Accy Stanley
 

Surely there's a contadiction with this one as HBC have already contributed £75K to the scheme there must have been some goodwill on PB's behalf. I also wonder from a grants angle if Stanleys involvement could in some way be detrimental to St Marys getting grants etc

If the discussion was more about the poor relationship between the Stanley and the Council then thats a different matter

Re: Arden Hall /Accy Stanley
 

I know nothing about Hey's Lane so don't listen to me! :hidewall: I just know it was mentioned by the others at the meeting and partially ruled out. I know County are having problems with District. The higher the profile the proposition the more fraught negotiations have been. Town Hall rat run, Bus Station, Lancs Local spring to mind.

I have played on He's Lane, that's all my knowledge is of the site. My only observation was had we considered all site's? Stanley said they would like some quick movement on this so problematic sites were ruled out because of 1. Lack of time, 2 Variable ownership 3. Other site problems 4. Stanley expressed a desire to see progress by the Council.

In the end the meeting didn't get far. The indication was Hey's Lane was unsuitable by the Council because of LCC ownership and I think the Club want somewhere dedicated and a decision soon.

That left everyone to go to Arden Hall as it was seen as the best site 'all round' in that the Council own it, there are no conditions to that ownership. Remade are active. And so forth.... And if that site was suitable/ideal, then there was an opportunity for progress.

I would say if you are involved in Hey's Lane. Get it on your local agenda somewhere. Get some idea of the possibilities with your County Councillor and bring them forward. I am sure the Club would appreciate that kind of help.

Re: Arden Hall /Accy Stanley
 

Tho they could use the owd ground Peel Park, tho been approached before as been told today that the ground is owned by the nearby school - tho i thought it was LCC owned as always, but seems usage of the ground is at the heads discretion as was way back when, seems daft that the ground the famous Accy stanley built their league history & demise was the former home of ASFC & is turned away from it:rolleyes:

Yet they can plonk rip off fairs there when suits:rolleyes: Yet the ground could be used for youth excellence & soccer schools that is cheap to rent for that purpose & making good use of something already there:D

Re: Arden Hall /Accy Stanley
 

I know that St Marys football club and Rhyddings School are working together on the project. The land is LCC owned and they have come up with some sort of joint user agreement. There was a presentation to the Area Council 4 months ago.

Collete was at the meeting Graham so I am sure she can fill you in on the details.

Re: Arden Hall /Accy Stanley
 

Peel Park is already used not only by the school but also by Peel Park FC and Huncoat United Juniors FC. Clearly the priority is the pupils followed by other users. If Stanley were training on a grassed area every day it would not be fit for use by anybody else.

Some people might also subscribe to the argument that Stanley are a private company and why should they have any support from HBC or LCC(not neccessarily my view) but one that I have heard debated

LCC do own the land but it is "managed by the Governing Body" via lettings agreements with the above club. re the "rip off fair" again this is a lettings agreement with the school. The Carnival and Fair is a charitable event were the profits are allocated to several good causes in the local community are you able to suggest a better venue?

Re: Arden Hall /Accy Stanley
 

Because a few years ago Stanley entered a sponsorship deal with HBC but they pulled out with a few years left to run on the contract, so if i remember correctly the council owe Stanley for terminating the contract due to debt problems.

Re: Arden Hall /Accy Stanley
 

All this is just talk atm anyway - was speaking to Hughie [stanleys community coaches] about this & he's heard nothing about it.

Re: Arden Hall /Accy Stanley
 

Actually they have been up to look at the site...

Re: Arden Hall /Accy Stanley
 

Well spoke to hughie on thursday & altho he's looking for new venues - he's heard nothing about this whatsoever.