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1st October 2001
Subscriptions. A timely reminder from our
hardworking Treasurer that subs were due some weeks ago. Can those
of you still to attend to this matter please do so now?
Open Day. Another successful event in
glorious weather when over 3000 demonstrated the need for the Pier
to be restored to its Full length as soon as possible. What
an attraction to Ramsey and a credit to the whole Island this would
prove.
Restoration progress. (an Update) As you know
after several years of pressure we finally got the Department of
Transport to come up with proposals for a "suitable scheme for
the Pier". This was as Resolved by Tynwald back in February
1998. A further resolution by Tynwald in November 2000 gave the
Department of Transport until "no later than March 2001"
to produce this scheme. Needless to say they were late and it was
not until the April sitting that it was again Resolved "to
instruct the Department of Transport , in conjunction with Manx
National Heritage to undertake a full survey to obtain costs for
full refurbishment and maintenance of the Pier, by October 2001
". Subject to this report, the Pier to be transferred to Manx
National Heritage free of charge. We await sight of these costs with
interest as figures over the years have varied, it would appear, to
suit the mood of the day.
Our fears. The Contractors selected to carry
out the survey are entirely fresh to the Pier. Why did DoT switch
from the several contractors, both on and off the island, who had
proven experience of either 'our' Pier, or other maritime
structures? What were the terms of reference for the survey? All we
want is a refurbished Pier for the island to enjoy, whilst
preserving as much of the Victorian 'feel' of the structure as
possible. We are horrified to learn that the contractors were
advised "to replace like with like" and "the
use of modern materials was not acceptable". "The pier is
an Architectural asset with no other use". Since when??
Is it seriously proposed to revert to Rivets and
Wrought or Cast Iron? Dream on. Will the lighting revert to Gas
Mantles? Anyone with any experience of restoration work will be only
too well aware of the prohibitive costs of using materials no longer
in current use. Many acceptable alternatives exist that are
indistinguishable from the original and yet are far stronger, easier
to maintain and cheaper to fabricate. And we are not
referring to the botched up use of Pollyfilla as has happened in the
past!
This would appear to be an unworthy attempt to price
the Pier well out of reach and, if true, is the final act of
contempt by the Department of Transport as custodians of the Islands
Heritage. Look out the Steam Railway, you are probably next!! (After
the Trams).
Whilst the report is not yet public (it has probably
had to go back to the printers for another '0' to be added or, less
likely, deducted) the similarity of costing for this and the
proposed new Tynwald building ,£8M, will not be lost on you.
It is shortly to be your turn to tell the
Politicians at the Ballot box what you think. Why wait until then?
Tell them NOW!
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