|
Interview with Rob Hobson |
|
|
|
|
Written by Administrator
|
|
Saturday, 15 March 2008 |
 'So how did you get involved in the Friends of Royal Albert Park?'
I used to have a hotel on the top of North Bay overlooking it. When
the sea defences work ended, I was a member of a local business group
who wanted to improve the area.
The council said it was a good idea to consult the public, and the
best way to do that would be through the formation of a friends group.
We started by inviting people from various local organisations, for
instance the local residents association, and by November 2003 we'd
got an idea of what we'd like.
By 2004 that had become a plan, and over the winter of 2004/5 that
went to public consultation. We put out questionnaires to, for
instance, local properties, schools, and we made it available in the
library.
One of the issues that came back loud and clear is that the current
skatepark is inadequate.
By 2005 we had developed a master plan that gained approval from the
local council.
We also had to get permission from the palace to call it 'Royal Albert
Park'.
Since then we've been trying to raise the funds required to make it
happen.
Locals may have noticed that the pathways beyond the castle archway
down to North Bay (that area's called Castle Holmes) have been
repaired recently and re-opened. That's a result of council funding.
There's further funding for picnic tables, benches and signage that
should be installed soon.
By the middle of June, we hope to have an exercise trail installed
using £12,000 of funding from the National Lottery, Sport England, and
the local council.
We have a meeting due shortly that we hope will see funding made
available to enable the rest of the plan to be implemented. That
includes moving the skate park to its new home. You can see from
http://www.hairybobs.com/ the local skaters have been heavily involved
in designing the new site. The current site will become a children's
playground.
We wanted to bring the whole site up to date. In 1998 the council cut
costs by stopping grass cutting in the park, so the whole area started
to be taken over by weeds and nettles. It simply wasn't fit to look
at. Nowadays it's maintained properly and plays its part in the
success of Scarborough in Britain in Bloom.
However, it's currently nice for a walk, but there's not a lot to do.
We intend to change that with the exercise trail, new skatepark and
dirt track for bikes, we're in the Wilbur Smith geology trail (a joint
venture between ourselves, the Rotunda museum, and the local council),
and there are plans for a shower block for surfers.
Geologically there's amazing evidence of a major earthquake. You can
stand under the castle arch and look towards the sea life centre and
make out what moved, and the same looking back south towards Cayton.
It's a beautiful spot, it's an oasis. We hope that by developing a
number of great ways to use it we can preserve it as a green space. We
already have phase three plans, including the creation of a contoured
putting green. |
|
Last Updated ( Wednesday, 24 February 2010 )
|
|
Read more...
|
|
Interview with Margaret Robshaw |
|
|
|
|
Written by Administrator
|
|
Saturday, 15 March 2008 |
 'So how did you get involved in the Friends of Royal Albert Park?'
I went to the open meeting and volunteered. It combines my interest in
the area with my work .. I work for the council in the regeneration
office as their finance officer and I wanted to get more involved in
regeneration finance.
In my childhood, this was my playground, my mum used to bring me down
here, and for years I've walked my dogs here and I watched it just
seem to start slipping into the sea.
Last year I think we all became a little disillusioned about it, we'd
done all this work and nothing much had happened.
I've become more and more enthusiastic recently and now I'm very
positive about it.
The skatepark is big news. My son is a skater and helped with the design.
I've helped secure funding streams, for instance from area committee
grants and Awards For All to fund things like the picnic area, signage
and the fitness trail.
We've held 2 family fun days to raise awareness, highlight the
importance of the area, show the plans and build membership. We've had
park guides, brought birds of prey for people to draw, employed
entertainers and had bug hunts.
This year's going to be very exciting. It's the centenary of the
opening of marine drive on the 3rd August. Due to diary clashes we'll
actually celebrate it on the 10th August.
It's a beautiful place. There's so much been done on the south side,
but nothing on the north (which is far more beautiful). It was
becoming delapidated, but now it's starting to look something. Perhaps
it's become more important now the Sands development is under way.
'What does Royal Albert Park mean to you?'
I used to holiday in Scarborough as a kid, rock pooling in North Bay.
Nowadays I mostly walk the dogs, and I'm amazed at the varied uses
people put the area to. The other day I saw a chap bouncing along on
those trainers with springs underneath. There are older people
enjoying the view alongside runners. With the new developments: the
playground, skatepark, dirt jumps we're targeting all the family.
That's a little different to the park in South Bay which is more
formal, we're focussing on activities.
The Castle Holmes area is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)
primarily because of its geology.
Actually, my Auntie (Nan Sykes) compiled a book on the flora of the
east coast, available from the English Heritage shops
(Amazon site).
She documents an orchid that grows here.
Now the path under the castle arch has been re-opened, people don't
have to walk all around the headland to reach the park, they can just
walk up past the castle and they can enjoy stunning views from there.
People are becoming more aware of green issues and of the importance
of green spaces. The park is a natural space, and more of us are using
areas like that for activities . |
|
Last Updated ( Wednesday, 24 February 2010 )
|
|
Interview with Lynn Jackson |
|
|
|
|
Written by Administrator
|
|
Saturday, 15 March 2008 |
 'So how did you get involved in the Friends of Royal Albert Park?'
I was involved from the inception, as a committee member and general
busybody.
North Bay is my front yard, I run the Paragon Hotel
(http://www.paragonhotel.com/). I spend time and effort making my
place look nice, and I want the rest of it to look great too.
When the park was originally designed, before marine drive was
finished, it looked absolutely fantastic. There was a bandstand.
Locals love the area, lots walk the whole bay.
The rule of thumb for visitors is: if you visit for the day, you'll
spend it in South Bay. If you stay, you'll want to be in North Bay
where the kids have green space to play, you can get a decent cup of
tea, and the kids can play on the beach all day.
In recent times, and until we came along North Bay had been ignored.
For as long as I can remember all the investment's gone into South Bay
and the harbour. Even Peasholm's had a friends group. Even now there's
money in the Sands development and north from there, so our time is
definitely due.
I helped design the proposed kids play area which again is sorely
needed, the only others are on Burniston Road car park, and underneath
the castle.
|
|
Interview with Rose Brophy |
|
|
|
|
Written by Administrator
|
|
Saturday, 15 March 2008 |
 'So how did you get involved in the Friends of Royal Albert Park?'
I heard about the group through the town team meetings. It's an area
I've always loved, and always walked through. When the landslip
happened I felt really sad that the area was falling into decline.
I've been trying to do my bit and I think we're finally getting there.
I've been tidying, litter picking and cutting down rose bushes big
enough to need a full tractor and trailer to remove .. just trying to
keep the momentum.
We did a walk at Halloween with Tim Mutton from the council dressed as
the grim reaper . He's been helping us with the design, particularly
earthworks and paths.
The kids using the skatepark have been brilliant, and very patient.
'Do you have any special memories about North Bay?'
Actually my earliest memory is trying to climb up to the castle and my
mum dragging me back. More recently I've enjoyed the surfing
competitions, very inspiring.
Whenever we visited Scarborough we used to walk around the castle to
get the air. It's like a refuge, it's therapeutic. If you have any
worries, just walk around marine drive and by the end they're all gone
and you feel renewed. |
|
Last Updated ( Sunday, 16 March 2008 )
|
|
Committee
