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Lord Ashton’s Gift.
On the eve of the poll the whole controversy was swept
away with dramatic suddenness by the magnificent generosity of Lord
Ashton.
On January 17th, two
copies of the "Express"—dated January
9th and 16th—containing an account of the scheme for purchasing and
laying-out the Gardens, were posted to Lord Ashton from the "Express"
Office, and on January 26th Coun. J. H. Taylor (Chairman of the Council)
received a telephone message from Lord Ashton, asking him to visit
"Rylands." Coun. Taylor did so the following morning, and after an
exhaustive inquiry into the details of the Council's proposals, Lord
Ashton handed to Coon. Taylor the following letter :
Rylands, Lancaster,
26th January, 1914.
My dear Sir,—Some one has been good enough to send me, anonymously, two
copies of "St. Annes Express,"dated the 9th and 16th inst., containing
an account of a scheme for the purchasing and laying-out of St. George's
Gardens.
There appears to be a difference of opinion amongst the ratepayers as to
the desirability of carrying out the scheme, many of them fearing the
effect upon the rates, and a poll of the ratepayers is to take place
Feeling as I do an interest in the welfare of St.Annes, it would give me
much pleasure to contribute to its prosperity and to the enjoyment of
its residents and visitors. I shall therefore be glad to bear the cost
of purchasing St. George's Gardens, the price of which is, I see,
£21,350, if the Urban District Council and the ratepayers will allow me.
Believe me,
Yours very faithfully,
ASHTON.
In his conversation with Coun. Taylor Lord Ashton said he was so charmed
with the quiet attractiveness and beauty of St. Annes that his great
desire was to contribute to the improvement and cultivation of the
beauty of St. Annes. His Lordship trusted that the offer which he made
would restore perfect harmony among the ratepayers.
By his timely and princely gift Lord Ashton united the whole township.
The announcement was made at a special meeting of the Council, on
Tuesday, January 27th, and was received with acclamation everywhere. The
following day flags were flown on public buildings, and a peal rung on
the church bells.
The announcement came too late to prevent a poll, but the leaders of the
opposition—Coun. J. Hayes and Messrs. S. L. Stott, J.P., and J.
Prestwich invited all ratepayers to show their appreciation of Lord
Ashton's "free and untrammelled gift” by voting for the scheme. Only 25
persons failed to do so, and probably they voted against it under
misapprehension.
The public spirit of Lord
Ashton infused a similar spirit throughout the town, and the directors
of the Land and Building Company and the Clifton Estate met the Council
in a very generous way.
In March of the same year the Council decided to acquire an additional
two and a half acres of land and four houses, and the proposal came to
the ears of Lord Ashton, who commended the decision of the Council as a
wise one, and gave St. Annes an "Easter egg" in the shape of a cheque
for £4,526 5s. to buy the land and cottages. The total area of the
Ashton Gardens is now 14½ acres.
As a result of Lord Ashton's generous gifts the St. Annes Improvement
Bill went before the Select Committee of the House of Commons as an
unopposed Bill, thus effecting a considerable saving. The Bill was heard
for the first time in April, the third reading followed on May 7th, and
in August the Royal Assent was given.
St.Anne's Express, 1916 |
