Concerns
Eastbourne Local History Centre - An Update
27/02/08 10:01
The matters under consideration are the new History
Centre/Museum, storage facilities for Towner Local
History Museum items, and keeping Local History in
the public eye until the new build.
(a) New Eastbourne History Centre. The following sites are under consideration: The Wish Tower (briefly, to build around the Wish Tower); The Redoubt (to build on the present tea pavilion site); Fisherman’s Green (to build on the old Butterfly Centre site and the tennis courts combined with a rejuvenation of that area and Princes Park/Oval). Other sites being examined are the under-used Winter Gardens, the Langney Shopping Centre area and one or two of the hotels that are up for sale in the town. The most suitable model of a Centre for Eastbourne has been discussed and there are three under consideration. Firstly, one about the same size as the Towner or just slightly
larger (600-1000sqm). Secondly, a ‘commercial experience’ run by an outside business (as the popular Viking Museum in York), perhaps on a site leased to them by the Council. Thirdly, a larger Centre of over 2,500sq m. These all have their advantages and
disadvantages and I would be pleased to discuss these points with members. The content of the Centre has been discussed and a provisional list has been produced (copies available to members on request). The Governance is also under active consideration. It seems quite clear that the Borough Council, while willing to encourage a viable plan and possibly help with some pump-priming, does not have funds to build a Centre and would not wish to run the new History Centre. The question of a Trust or Foundation is under discussion.
(b) Storage Facilities. Up to the end of January no progress has been made. The damp casemate at the Redoubt holding the archaeological items is required for an exhibition in April so there is urgency here. With the delays in the Towner Art Gallery and Exhibition Hall building, the other Towner items in the satisfactory temporary storage at Devonshire Park are safe for the time being. There is no news about whether the Lawn Tennis Association will continue with the Eastbourne International Ladies Tournament. If they do not, there is the possibility of freeing-up the changing rooms adjacent to the old Fitness Centre to make space there.
(c) Local History activity in the meantime. The Society will assist the Eastbourne Local History Society with some displays in the Heritage Centre, but the main intent is to reach out to more residents and visitors with lectures, walks and displays around the town, such as the Central Library, Town Hall and schools. Negotiations are in progress.
(a) New Eastbourne History Centre. The following sites are under consideration: The Wish Tower (briefly, to build around the Wish Tower); The Redoubt (to build on the present tea pavilion site); Fisherman’s Green (to build on the old Butterfly Centre site and the tennis courts combined with a rejuvenation of that area and Princes Park/Oval). Other sites being examined are the under-used Winter Gardens, the Langney Shopping Centre area and one or two of the hotels that are up for sale in the town. The most suitable model of a Centre for Eastbourne has been discussed and there are three under consideration. Firstly, one about the same size as the Towner or just slightly
larger (600-1000sqm). Secondly, a ‘commercial experience’ run by an outside business (as the popular Viking Museum in York), perhaps on a site leased to them by the Council. Thirdly, a larger Centre of over 2,500sq m. These all have their advantages and
disadvantages and I would be pleased to discuss these points with members. The content of the Centre has been discussed and a provisional list has been produced (copies available to members on request). The Governance is also under active consideration. It seems quite clear that the Borough Council, while willing to encourage a viable plan and possibly help with some pump-priming, does not have funds to build a Centre and would not wish to run the new History Centre. The question of a Trust or Foundation is under discussion.
(b) Storage Facilities. Up to the end of January no progress has been made. The damp casemate at the Redoubt holding the archaeological items is required for an exhibition in April so there is urgency here. With the delays in the Towner Art Gallery and Exhibition Hall building, the other Towner items in the satisfactory temporary storage at Devonshire Park are safe for the time being. There is no news about whether the Lawn Tennis Association will continue with the Eastbourne International Ladies Tournament. If they do not, there is the possibility of freeing-up the changing rooms adjacent to the old Fitness Centre to make space there.
(c) Local History activity in the meantime. The Society will assist the Eastbourne Local History Society with some displays in the Heritage Centre, but the main intent is to reach out to more residents and visitors with lectures, walks and displays around the town, such as the Central Library, Town Hall and schools. Negotiations are in progress.