catinstalbans
Well-known member
It has been a tough week. I had a couple of days leave from work to make my way up to Lancashire for a family funeral and to be honest, what with the pandemic it had been too long since I had visited the Fylde coast. So anyway, as these occasions so often do, your thoughts are wide ranging, reflective and retrospective. One recurring theme in my musing was my home town, and while other areas of contemplation will remain private I thought I would share these.
1. The light and the air is different by the coast. I know it is not an original idea but that does not make it untrue. Artists have often expressed the idea especially in respect of Cornwall but it applies just as well to our bit of the Lancashire coast. We were fortunate with the weather and the blue of a blue sky is that little bit sharper than inland. Similarly but more elusively with the air, especially when the wind is blowing, whether that is a light breeze or a full gale there is something more than when you have similar conditions in Hertfordshire.
2. St Annes Square. The vista as you come down the Crescent and look down past the Square to the frontage of the Pier is incredible and always good for the soul. It should be more famous nationally than it is. My brother and I had our usual argument about the "new" architecture in the Square, he deriding them and harking back to the raised lawn blocks of our youth, where as I think they work and add to the visual impact of the space.
3. Highbury Road. This is a personal favourite of mine. Going past the Old Links clubhouse, looking north to the view of Blackpool with the iconic view of the Big One and the Tower in the distance, then cresting the railway bridge ( or what passes for hills in St Annes) and getting the contrasting view of sand followed by sea. Even the seaward side new houses fail to distract from the joy this image always brings.
4. The promenade from the far end of the miniature railway, past the greatest pitch and putt course in the world, that little run of holes heading south, all lying on that ridge of sand banks that mean disaster should you stray right or overhit your chip. The traditional cast iron sea wall between the boating lake and the pier. I know that parts of the promenade are already listed but if the wall with it's so simple but stunning design is not listed it should be. The expanse of sand as you look west that when a child stretched forever, sometimes imagining that it would be possible to walk across to Southport without ever getting your feet wet.
5. The Alpine gardens. My personal favourite place as a little child. I could never wait from trips to the paddling pool to get to run round the gardens, stand on the bridge or hide under the bridge like the troll in the fairy story ready to jump out at my little sister. The figure of eight running races with my brother Only now do I realise that the reason mum was so reluctant to let us run round the space was the disturbance we brought to more elderly folk enjoying the peace and tranquillity of the gardens, only to be shattered by shouting noisy kids bringing quiet and embarrassed apologies from my mother.
St Annes is a blessed place, I would not change my move down south, but that does not take away the appreciation of the town. I know I could say the same for Blackpool or Lytham. Praise too for the council, the promenade looks a lot better cared for and maintained than I remember from my youth, and though the buildings that replaced the swimming pool aren't the prettiest the buildings they replaced were not particularly great either. I left promising that it would not be so long next time before I return.
1. The light and the air is different by the coast. I know it is not an original idea but that does not make it untrue. Artists have often expressed the idea especially in respect of Cornwall but it applies just as well to our bit of the Lancashire coast. We were fortunate with the weather and the blue of a blue sky is that little bit sharper than inland. Similarly but more elusively with the air, especially when the wind is blowing, whether that is a light breeze or a full gale there is something more than when you have similar conditions in Hertfordshire.
2. St Annes Square. The vista as you come down the Crescent and look down past the Square to the frontage of the Pier is incredible and always good for the soul. It should be more famous nationally than it is. My brother and I had our usual argument about the "new" architecture in the Square, he deriding them and harking back to the raised lawn blocks of our youth, where as I think they work and add to the visual impact of the space.
3. Highbury Road. This is a personal favourite of mine. Going past the Old Links clubhouse, looking north to the view of Blackpool with the iconic view of the Big One and the Tower in the distance, then cresting the railway bridge ( or what passes for hills in St Annes) and getting the contrasting view of sand followed by sea. Even the seaward side new houses fail to distract from the joy this image always brings.
4. The promenade from the far end of the miniature railway, past the greatest pitch and putt course in the world, that little run of holes heading south, all lying on that ridge of sand banks that mean disaster should you stray right or overhit your chip. The traditional cast iron sea wall between the boating lake and the pier. I know that parts of the promenade are already listed but if the wall with it's so simple but stunning design is not listed it should be. The expanse of sand as you look west that when a child stretched forever, sometimes imagining that it would be possible to walk across to Southport without ever getting your feet wet.
5. The Alpine gardens. My personal favourite place as a little child. I could never wait from trips to the paddling pool to get to run round the gardens, stand on the bridge or hide under the bridge like the troll in the fairy story ready to jump out at my little sister. The figure of eight running races with my brother Only now do I realise that the reason mum was so reluctant to let us run round the space was the disturbance we brought to more elderly folk enjoying the peace and tranquillity of the gardens, only to be shattered by shouting noisy kids bringing quiet and embarrassed apologies from my mother.
St Annes is a blessed place, I would not change my move down south, but that does not take away the appreciation of the town. I know I could say the same for Blackpool or Lytham. Praise too for the council, the promenade looks a lot better cared for and maintained than I remember from my youth, and though the buildings that replaced the swimming pool aren't the prettiest the buildings they replaced were not particularly great either. I left promising that it would not be so long next time before I return.
)
But what about Boris 
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