Roads and artifacts: 13/11/2011

Milestones, Boundary Markers, Historical Artifacts, Street Furniture, lost roads and buildings.

There are many traces of our ancestors scattered around our landscape. Mile Markers and Boundary stones are there too. The Milestone Society believes that there are approximately 9000 left in the United Kingdom. Some are cherished but others are hidden in hedgerows, some have been unwittingly destroyed by crashes, road equipment or even stolen. Roads have been straightened to make them safer. There are old gateposts still left in place, old buildings, and place names that declare an evocative past. The aim is to capture some of this information at least photographically before it disappears.

Although the Fylde Coast does not have ancient history, the Romans apparently struggled to Kirkham. There have been huge changes in the last two centuries from literally a a few fishermans' and agricultural dwellings, to a full blown tourist and light engineering industry.

More historical information can be found here about the Fylde coast.

It also seems that time has marched on and left what appears to be some very respectable buildings... which just should be used, but seem to have no worth.

Links from this Blog

Nearly-Midnight The genealogy website relating to the family. A tangled web of people all related to one another, explore!
Memorials Website dedicated to War Memorials - The majority in the North of England. Visits to churches, but also memorials in out of the way places.
Robert Clark The Father of Henry Martyn-Clark - A missionary out in the North-West Frontier of India. One of the first Europeans to set foot in Afganistan
Affetside Census A small village north of Bury, Lancashire, I can trace many of my immediate ancesters from there. On the Roman Road, Watling Street
Andrew Martyn-Clark My Father and his part in my World. Also my mother and his parents too.
Henry Martyn-Clark My Great Grandfather, his roots and his achievements. Discusses malaria but also his confrontations with Islam.

Friday, 18 November 2011

St Anne's Conservative Club

Stuck on the corner of St George's Road and Clifton Drive, St Anne's is the "remains" of St Anne's Conservative Club. Seemingly abandoned by its previous owners - they have fled and set up shop in a hotel across the road. Well its probably still for sale rumour still persists that Lidle or Aldi are going to purchase the site. Underground parking, Helicopter landing pad, luxury apartments, whatever. The truth is its still here, very much alive, rat and pigeon infested. Never very happy about seeing an old building brought to its knees - but I think this one could be put out of its misery.

The only time I spent in it was performing at the St Anne's Acoustic club a couple of times. Nice bar, good facilities and a giant smiling picture of Maggie Thatcher.

Anyhow make your own mind up. The pix!

To the right of the old Job Centre.
The one in the middle - inspiring or what!

What is that thing perched on the right? - Why did it get planning permission?

Actually has a very fine front, great bays and a fabulous view.
In its heyday it will have faced the Hydro

The very ""interesting" suspended extension

Park underneath? Have you seen the rot in the concrete?

Underneath the extension

Wow new residents!

The extension. The building behind is also the Conservative Club

The extension and fire escape.
The road in the distance is Clifton drive.
The flats are where the Imperial Hydro was.

From the corner of St George's Road and Clifton drive looking south.

The same shot

Job centre to the left. Now completely boarded up.
The Job Centre before it completely closed was taken over by Blackpool and the Fylde College. There is more information here.

However during June 2012 it was flattened - These are the photos. Just in time for the OPEN GOLF 2012! Better not let the town be untidy!

Fancy a beer!

Quite a few more pix in the files - let me know if you want copies! Why? is the question most people will ask?