Tropicana: Decision Day

While out today, I learned of the decision of North Somerset Council to press ahead with the demolition of the Weston-super-Mare’s old Open Air Swimming Pool, latterly the Tropicana.

This is a subject I’ve been writing and blogging about quite intensely recently, in the apparently vain hope that the structure would have a last-minute reprieve. Well, that hasn’t happened and now it looks as though the place will be demolished.

This is very sad, although today’s events in Liege have rather put subjects like built heritage into perspective. It’s sad and regrettable. It’s not a tragedy.

Even now – eternal optimist that I am – I hope that it won’t happen and that sense will prevail. This is undoubtedly not likely but I won’t give up hope until the demolition gangs move in and the concrete ball swings.

Weston Tropicana Website

A minor development on the Weston-super-Mare Tropicana story. All is not (yet) lost and there is a glimmer of hope.

Perhaps you'd do me the service of just taking s look at this site (and even of signing the petition, although I'm of the view that it will require a lot more than that to make a difference)?

http://www.tropicanawestonsupermare.co.uk/default.aspx

Many thanks.

Help: Structural Engineer Needed!

An odd request but using all avenues open to us.......

I need to help find a structural engineer, preferably in the West of England but not essential if there's one elsewhere. (This is tied up with efforts to save the former Open Air Pool - "The Tropicana" - in Weston-s-Mare.)

If you can help or know anyone who can, e-mail me at ian@bluebadge.co.uk and I'll pass on details as necessary.

Thank you.

Mixed News in Weston

Nothing like ups and downs, is there?

I began today reading this article:

http://www.thewestonmercury.co.uk/news/town_s_seafront_works_pick_up_award_1_1138720

explaining that the new sea front works in Weston-s-Mare had been given an award. Good. Much needed work and a much deserved award. Makes the town appear to be on the up. All very positive.

Then, this afternoon comes this:

http://www.thewestonmercury.co.uk/news/breaking_news_tropicana_set_for_demolition_1_1139246

For those of you that don't know, the Tropicana was for a few years the name for what had for years been called simply "the bathing pool". This was Weston's vast open air swimming pool (able to accommodate 1,500 bathers at a time), venue for diving displays, beauty pageants (a young Diana Dors came third in a beauty contest here!) and a valuable swimming resource in a resort where the sea can sometimes be a bit far off.

In the eighties it was redeveloped, losing the iconic art deco diving board but gaining a wave machine and some giant fruits down which one could slide into the pool. (It was better than I'm making it sound, honestly!)

Then.......it was closed down. We were told that it was too expensive to run, that it wasn't suited to the British climate (only being able to open for part of the year), although how that differed from the previous sixty years seemed to be a moot point.

Schemes to redevelop the pool came and went but always seemed to involve Something Else: an hotel, a bowling alley, a car park encroaching on the Beach Lawns opposite.

And since the last of those schemes fell through, the place has effectively lain derelict, used to store materials for the seafront enhancement, an ignominious fate for so fine a structure.

All the time, anyone with any sense sense (and there are plenty of those, believe me) has been saying that the answer is a remarkably simple one. Restore it as a pool, with a retractable roof, so that it could be used all year. It's in a good, accessible location and the town's only other swimming pool is well inland, on the edge of a suburban housing estate at Hutton Moor. The Tropicana site is ideal as a pool. To use modern parlance it's a no-brainer.

I've become steadily more concerned by the apparent inability of the local council to understand that any pool scheme here needs to be simple to be affordable. But somehow, I always thought that the pool would, eventually come back. So today's news that demolition is likely has come as something of a bombshell.

If these people allow (nay, cause) the loss of this facility, this monument, they will earn the enmity of all who truly love Weston-s-Mare. I for one will not forgive them. And I shall not be alone.

Some Work News

I’ve a bit of an announcement to make.

Not many people have been aware of this but…….for the last 18 months or so I’ve been studying away and sitting exams to qualify as a Blue Badge guide for the South West of England.

Well, today’s post brought the news that I’ve passed the final one, a bit of news I was hoping for but – shall we say - not confident about.

My new region overlaps a little with places where I’m already qualified (notably Gloucestershire, Salisbury and Stonehenge). But it opens up some places that are very special to me indeed. Briefly it comprises Somerset, Bristol, Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, Dorset, Devon and Cornwall. Some of you will be aware that I’ve been working in some of this area for some time. One of the reasons for taking these exams was to formalise that arrangement somewhat. Thank you to all those who’ve booked me and been on walks in much of this area. Your work and tolerance helped me get to this point and my gratitude is very real. (I even managed to weave subjects like Stonehenge and Australia in to the practicals!)

So here we are.

If you happen to know anyone who would like to book slightly off-the-wall tours in any of these areas, do send them my way!

Ever Forward

On 28 July 2008 the historic pavilion of the Grand Pier at Weston-super-Mare was destroyed in a spectacular fire that made headlines around the world.

The following day on Facebook I wrote:

“If……. they do a good restoration job, it could be in the long run a good thing, raising the profile of [Weston] and allowing it to be better than ever.”

Well, skip forward just over 800 days…….and here we are. After a remarkably quick rebuild (and despite some delays), on Saturday 23 October 2010 Louise and I were lucky enough to be present for the re-opening of the new Grand Pier.

With a new pavilion designed by the Bristol architectural practice of Angus Meek, the Pier is back bigger and arguably better than ever. Yes, I miss the design of the original and part of me wishes that it had been rebuilt as a replica, a la St Kilda, Victoria. However, the new building is considerably larger (same footprint but taller), so there’s more inside, not just rides but bars, restaurants, conference facilities, even marriage rooms! This all makes the Pier a bigger attraction. And – significantly – that makes Weston itself a bigger attraction.

The English seaside has been through some difficult years but is not-so-slowly reinventing itself these days. Even before the era of recession, staycations (ugh!) and carbon footprints, people were re-discovering their “home” seaside. Weston in some ways was poorly-placed to attract “specialist” tourism (as the Isle of Man does with transport and motorcycle racing, Padstow with gastronomy or Southwold with simplicity and nostalgia). But Weston does have some significant things going for it.

• It has a splendid beach with firm sands. The famously receding tide frankly means there’s lots of space for everyone! And it’s a lot nicer than Bondi, believe me.

• It’s not that far away from major centres of population (day trips from Bristol, the West Midlands and South Wales are easy).

• Lying in the shadow of wooded Worlebury Hill, with sublime stone terraces tumbling down towards the bay Weston has a truly magnificent setting. Its only real rival in that department is Torquay (and that’s spoiled a little by too many post-war apartment blocks nowadays).

• And the Grand Pier rebuild is just one of a series of improvements. The need for flood defences (that sea does come in!) has been seized to create a much improved new Promenade which is almost finished. The traffic-choked junction opposite the Grand Pier itself is also being transformed, into a new “Pier Square” which will improve the setting no end.

There is a “buzz” in the town at the moment caused by the amount of inward investment.

Yes, there are some “bits” to deal with. The buildings of the central sea front aren’t yet a credit to the town. The Northern end of the Promenade needs some tidying up, especially now that the Royal Pier Hotel is no more and that could go hand-in-hand with the restoration of the “other” Pier, at Birnbeck. And don’t get me started on the Tropicana (the former Open Air Swimming Pool whose fate is easily Weston’s biggest shame).

But the town is on the up. The motto on its coat of arms (borrowed from Birmingham!) is “Ever Forward”. Seldom has it been more appropriate.

Sublime Day in Wells

I was doing a tour in Wells yesterday and arrived very early just to check things out. It was entirely worth the early start as – after a terrible rainy Saturday – Sunday was just wonderful. The sun rose over flooded fields in the most photogenic way possible and – as I was walking around the City before the group arrived – it looked simply stunning.

I regretted not having a camera with me but then remembered that my mobile has a camera which I seldom use; so I started snapping. They’re not brilliant photos but they do convey the sense of this amazing golden early sunshine and deserted streets.

When the group arrived, they were great, too, which always helps. For all the hassles, which we all have, I spent much of yesterday thinking what a great job I have. If you’ve never been to Wells – and it amazes me how few people have – then go. It’s always been one of my favourite places. Yesterday I felt as though I could have spent the rest of my life there.

Britain and the Hospitality Industry

What is it about service in Britain that’s so difficult?

After I finished a walking tour in Glastonbury yesterday some of us (twelve initially) headed into a pub for a drink and a bite to eat.

Now admittedly the manageress (?) on seeing so many of us said that we could sit in the (empty) restaurant and order from the bar menu. Great; nice gesture. But once it became apparent that we wanted to pay separately (uh, yeah?) we suddenly seemed to become A Problem.

Things were compounded when four other people from the tour spotted us and came in to join us. Suddenly we were somewhat accusingly told that we were “more than twelve”.

Then we were told that we needed to order food via her (“because the kitchen wouldn’t be able to cope”). Even drinks had to be ordered via her (“because the bar wouldn’t be able to cope”; what kind of bar is this?! We could then only pay at the bar if she was herself in attendance (“as the bar wouldn’t understand what we were paying for”).

Yes, okay, suddenly there were a lot of people all wanting to order. But you know what? No-one else seemed to be eating in this place at all. The alternative is that no-one comes in. Hey, wouldn’t that be better eh? Service provision is so much easier if there are no customers.

I’ve seen this in quite a few places when handling groups, even quite “informal” ones. Turn up in Australia or Germany under these circumstances and people Work Out a Way of Doing It. Turn up in Britain (or France, actually) and suddenly you’re a nuisance.

Working in the West 3: Wednesday

Today was my last day with the group and was just as enjoyable as the others.

We headed out first through the rather drizzly Northern edge of the Mendips for a quick photo stop at the "Rock of Ages" in Burrington Combe before stopping in Wells. To my surprise, most of the group followed me ("Go away, I'm not the Messiah! I'm a very naughty boy!") for a look at the Cathedral precincts, Vicars' Close and the Bishop's Palace. Then there was time for free time, so to speak. Luckily, there was a nice craft market on today, which people seemed to enjoy.

Then it was more of the Mendips, this time with a descent of Cheddar Gorge for a visit to the Cheddar Showcaves. Although the Caves themselves are as amazing as ever, I did think that the surroundings (shop, cafe, etc.) really are looking ab it tired, cheap even and could do with a bit of a polished make-over. Very friendly staff, though, which is always worth a mention.

Then we headed back to the hotel along one of my favourite roads, the one up through Rodney Stoke with some views of the Somerset Levels and distant Glastonbury Tor.

There, I took my leave of the group and threw myself on the mercy of the M5 home.

Although I've missed being at home (couldn't tour all the time, as I used to) they were a very pleasant group with a pretty well thought out itinerary and they've been good company. Wish all my jobs were like this!

Back to reality and a full day in Birmingham tomorrow!

Working in the West 2: Tuesday

Now sitting back in my hotel room enjoying tea and a biscuit. Is there no limit to the exotic nature of my work?

Well, I've survived the second day with my (delightful) group and handling their visit to Bath. Er, even if I've had a lot of good-natured ribbing from them about how to pronounce “Bath”. (They're from the North West and pronounce it with a short “a”, where as I use a long “a”!)

Some of the people have some mobility issues and Bath - however you pronounce it – isn't the easiest place. I spent a lot of time last night working out a contorted route to cover as much from the coach as possible and it seemed to work and I covered most things.

Incidentally, I've not been the the Roman Baths complex itself for quite a while and so accompanied the group in there today. Apart from the slightly abrasive lady “welcoming” them (who would obviously have been much happier if we'd not sullied her attraction by actually turning up), it really was superb. The new audio guides are some of the best I've used and of course the place itself really is rather magical. The only down side was being mown down outside by large tour groups on the way in struggling to fit in Salisbury, Stonehenge and The Cotswolds with their visit here.

Afterwards, for the fitter amongst the group I did a little walk. Needing a coffee afterwards, I went back to the same place for another.

“Haven't you been in already?” said the unsmiling staff member there in a tone which suggested that he'd been to the same charm school as Roman Baths Woman. Presumably few people come back there for more.......

Still, locals in the service industry aside, Bath really is a pleasure to visit.

The hotel we're at deserves a mention, too. It's called The Centurion (just off the Fosse Way, you see!) a “Best Western”, independently owned, which tend to be good but this one really has excelled so far. The staff are switched on and all seem to be English, two facts which aren't often combined in the UK's service industry.

Mendips, Wells and Cheddar tomorrow.......

Splashing Around is Disarray

There are always pressures on local authorities. Lots of things competing for their atention, their support and above all their ever scare money.

I do understand that. I really do.

But what is it about local authorities that makes them so incapable of dealing effectively with swimming pools?

Last month Sedgemoor District Council in Somerset dealt the death knell to their popular "Sedgemoor Splash" pool in favour of a new Tesco and now - after an equally valiant fight -Dudley Council in the West Midlands have decided that, no, Coseley Baths must go too. See http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/west_midlands/8230207.stm .

Yes, they are expensive to run and to maintain. But they are, like street lights, parks, refuse collections and libraries, "services we maintain for the common good". In any case, swimming pools are a basic, simple and healthy way of keeping people of all ages entertained and occupied.

Yes, money is tight for councils. It is for everyone at the moment. That's presumably why, at their meeting on 13 July 2009, Dudley's Councillors voted to increase their basic pay from £7,419 to £9,300. Then they backdated it to April 2009.

And they wonder why they're unpopoular.

Back Home

We’ve been away camping for a few days down in Cheddar (which neatly dovetailed into a job I had yesterday in Weston-super-Mare).

I like camping very much and – provided you have good weather (which we did) – it really does have a sense of getting away from it all.

The downside of this has manifested itself this morning, though. The house now looks as though a small and highly-localised hurricane has just swept through it with assorted bits of equipment spread everywhere: innumerable folding tables, shelters, matting, bedding, pumps and chargers to name but a few.

I ought to be putting it back but it’s a choice of that or sorting out new walks before a meeting this afternoon. Not to mention 42 e-mails.

Tidying up has just lost.

Work, Life, Satisfaction and Happiness

I do ponder sometimes about the breadth and scope of what I’m lucky enough to do for a living.

I wouldn’t pretend for a moment that showing people interesting places ranks with one of the world’s great professions or that I “change” things or even “make them better”.

But despite what I might sometimes wearily imply, my daily life doesn’t solely revolve around getting disinterested people on and off coaches, pointing the way to toilets and souvenir shops and worrying about deadlines. Well, it often includes deadlines but that’s about it. It would appear that I can entertain people and I revel in it.

Take my forthcoming job on Sunday. I’ll be working in Weston-super-Mare.

It’s the third different themed walk I’ve done in the town for a regular customer and the preparation for it has variously led me into stories of a Governor-General of India, a Shropshire authoress, Cardinal Newman and the luminosity of stars. I love doing Weston; it’s not technically my “patch” I suppose but I bend the rules a bit by claiming that it is effectively Birmingham-on-Sea! The place is endlessly interesting to me and surprising to clients. Nothing – absolutely nothing - gives me more of a “buzz” than feeling people are interested, surprised or intrigued by something I show them. It’s the showman in me, I suppose.

Iwouldn't rule out a change of direction, if only to avoid getting into a rut; but no two days are ever the same and – in an upbeat mood – I give thanks that I’m lucky enough to say that.

(Hope I haven’t tempted fate now.)

Harry Patch and The End of an Era

I watched part of the proceedings of the funeral of Harry Patch yesterday afternoon.

The phrase “the end of an era” tends to get wheeled out too often, not least by me.

But that is what this really was. I’m sure Harry was a charming and special man to all those who knew him. But the crowds lining the streets of the lovely City of Wells today were not there just to remember him. This was our communal twenty first century goodbye to a generation whose sacrifices we grew up knowing about and who gave so very much, often the ultimate in fact, that we may enjoy the way of life which we have today.

Our country and our world is not perfect. But it is better for the sacrifice of those represented by one solitary Somerset man today.

North Somerset Museum

Weston-super-Mare's rather splendid little North Somerset Museum is under threat of closure. Again.

The place, which is very imaginatively laid out, lurks in the old Gas Company offices in Orchard Street and is sadly missed by a lot of the resort's visitors. Admittedly, most people go to W-s-M for things other than going around a Museum but regular visitors, some from the Midlands and South Wales, are interested in the town's background and it provides a good "all weather" attraction, which is important in the sometimes fickle British seaside climate.

A pity therefore that it doesn't open on Sundays, surely one of the town's busiest days, at least in summer.