Is there a reason why we have had no opportunity to thank Gill Barron for her work?

Many of you will have marvelled at the fantastic result of Gill's work that we have in Lower Brook Street:

The John Barrow Mural

Featured here on the First of July - where you can watch the videos.

I gather that she is extremely upset.

At this moment she has reacted strongly on her own web site

Looking at the web site that she created to display her work. At the moment she has removed most of the photographs of her work in protest.

However here in Ulverston, I am not aware of any recognition being given to all her hard work.

In contrast there was a  ceremony that was held when she did the previous mural.

I spoke to her on almost a daily basis as she worked in rain and cold conditions to produce this masterpiece - she even moved here temporarily to be able to get the work done.

I gather she wants the matter dropped.

So this is what is being done.

As I see it Gill is clearly upset.

Perhaps, in reality, she's a happy little bunny.

Until she tells us otherwise we can only go on what she tells us on her web sites.

I don't think we're going to learn any more.

The Town Clerk explains that  "She is satisfied with the arrangements made with her."

It would still be good to be given the opportunity to thank her for all her hard work.

The sad looking tubs on the Market Square.

The story behind this is that that the plants have a fungal disease that thrives in warm humid conditions. Nothing can be done to save them.

It seems that both the tubs and the plants have been added to the square by Roger Chattaway of the Farmers Arms. So he is being  generous and I'm told would be the first person to be concerned about the state of the plants.

I suggest that they need yanking out now and replacing soon.

A lovely old wall repaired - what you can do!

This section of this old wall in Union Lane has been rebuilt to a very high standard thanks to the efforts of John Riley, Estates Building Manager, Furness General Hospital .

He  acted very promptly when concerns were raised about the safety of the wall. It was John Riley who ensured that the stretch of wall below was also rebuilt as he recognised that this was even more dangerous than the higher wall shown here.

What was a badly leaning wall is now plumb straight. A lot of work went into making sure that the soil behind would not lead it to lean again.

 Further down the lane the wall was even more dangerous and taking it apart to rebuild it confirmed the engineers fears. Instead of rock fill, the small rocks on the outside had nothing but soil to hold it back.

New rocks had to be brought in to do a good job. The result is this great 50 yards stretch of wall.

Repairs were also carried out to a section of the wall in the middle.

What is very satisfying is that this excellent work was done at a cracking rate by builder, Kevin Roper of Ulverston - 588053. Not only is his work good but he's a very easy guy to chat with. We enjoyed his company the whole time he was working here with his mate.

A good experience all round.

How did this work come about?

Not without a fight!

It was Paul Holmes who lives opposite the first high wall that first raised the alarm by notifying the Health Centre and then writing to his Cllr Colin Hodgson at the Town Hall on Feb 10th 2010.

Nothing happened.

Nothing happened.

The Health Centre forwarded the information.
Cllr Hodgson did not receive his letter.

Paul mentioned the problem to Geoff Dellow.

By persistent phone calls Geoff  traced the person responsible for the wall and contacted him by email pointing out that he had made a video of the problem and put it on Youtube.

Within hours of receiving the email John Riley was round to Geoff Dellow's house to be shown the problem.

Things had been set in motion.

Here we have the result.

What you can achieve if you try!

Response in two and a half hours. Here in three and a half!

That's impressive!


Addressed to Glyn Davies, Head of Estates for local NHS, today 1st April.

Dear Sir,

This is perhaps an unfortunate date to chose to send a serious email!

It comes to you because of our inability to get answers to your plans to repair this wall which is located on your boundary of the Ulverston Health Centre and Union Lane, Ulverston

This video has, in desperation, been put on Youtube to alert you to the problem and pin points accurately the location of the problem:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vW2jLBF4_N4



It explains that a serious number of stones at the base of the wall in Union Lane have become loose and no longer offer support.

This problem has been repeatedly reported :

Several times to the Ulverston Health Centre itself

To the Highways Department and then on to the SLDC who then say that it is none of their concern because the wall is on your property.

Could you first confirm that you have received this email and then after consideration, what you propose to do?

Sincerely

Dr Geoff Dellow,

The Coach House, Union Lane, LA12 7BU

John Riley was round here within four hours to evaluate the problem and promised to get the wall repaired straight away.

He felt that it was more important to rebuild the wall in several places where it was leaning badly but this would require funding beyond his immediate budget and requires investigation of the future of the wall.

Now what will be really impressive is when the repairs are actually done . .

Have our councillors missed another trick?

This looks like a great project. It's happening in Kendal.

Have we got something to learn about getting a similar project underway in Ulverston?

Perhaps our Ulverston leaders could pick up some tips as to how this got started in Kendal.

Grange also could give us a few ideas ; they seem to have been showing flair in what they do for several years.

Now Kendal are forging ahead.

While it's good to have the likes of Colin Hodgson involved with important projects like renovating Hoad Monument. Couldn't we have suggestions from councillors with a bit more flair like Colin Williams.

Surely we're not a one project town!

We have a much more attractive set of streets than Kendal and a much more friendly approach to visitors. So couldn't we make more of this in our town.

Instead we tolerate poor services on maintenance of our cobbles and keeping our street furniture in order (wonky sign below) and politicians act powerless to prevent this.

Yet in the case of the cobbles it was shown that a direct approach to United Utilities worked where the County Council failed. At least the former have a sense of pride in their public image; they admitted their poor workmanship and have repaired it even though legally they didn't have to.

Do we need to encourage are leaders to be more innovative? To bring people together and get things done rather than do a "Hodgson Moan" about lost services on the front page of the Mail . . . . when they've gone.