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FETE AT ST. ANNES.
OPENING OF THE NEW PIER.
The latest witness to the development of St.
Annes-and, may we not hope, the certain
prelude to its increased popularity— was on
Monday converted into the occasion for a
general holiday amongst our neighbours to
the south, and the prime movers in the
demonstration which then took place are to
be congratulated upon the signal success
which crowned their labours.
The acquisition of a pier to St Annes is
indeed a new landmark in the history of the
town, and therefore fuller and more complete
prosperity is likely to date from the
proceedings on Monday. The formal opening of
the new structure was deputed to Colonel the
Right Hon. F. A. Stanley, M.P., and the
favourable auspices under which the ceremony
was consummated must afford pleasurable
reflections to all concerned.
The Pier seems to have been evoked by reason
of the rapid growth of the place, and its
existence is a definite assertion of the
enterprise which has thus far dominated the
development of St. Annes. The little town is
a fine example of latter-day tendencies in
respect of seaside resorts, and after the
flattering recognition accorded to it on
Monday, it is more than likely that efforts
will be made to sustain the impression then
made, and to secure a repetition of what is
at present a unique experience.
As
a witness to progress, however, the place
deserves special notice. Out of what was but
ten or twelve years ago a mere stretch of
barren sand, the enterprise of a few
capitalists, assisted and encouraged by
liberality on the part of the owners of the
estate, has developed an admirably laid-out
seaside town, with a population in the Local
Board district of which it is the centre of
nearly 2,090.
St. Annes has a capital Promenade, 3,000
feet long and 180 feet wide, and its streets
are broad and well arranged, with a number
of substantial villa residences. For all its
advantages of arrangement and design it in
indebted to the Land and Building Company,
and to this same source is also traceable
the construction of the new Pier and
extension. This structure has been erected
at a cost of £18,000, and the public spirit
displayed by its projectors is deserving of
all praise. It is 360 yards long, and though
very substantially built has a light and
graceful appearance. The Pier is furnished
with recesses and seats, and at the outer
end there is a covered shelter and a band
stand. From the pier, head there is three-storeyed
iron extension which will enable passengers
to embark or disembark at all states of the
tide, and in the roughest weather.
The engineers for the jetty were Messrs.
Garlick & Sykes, of Preston, and the work
has been satisfactorily carried out by
Messrs William Alsup and Sons, contractors,
of Preston. The Pier, as a whole, is from
the designs of Mr A. Dowson C.E.,
Westminster, and its construction has been
effected under his superintendence. In a
score always it increases the importance of
St, Annie, but as a convenience to those who
reside there, and who are of a nautical
turn, its value cannot be over-estimated.
From a purely picturesque point of view,
however, it is graceful addition to the
front, whilst on the more practical score of
utility it gives raison d'être to the
Promenade by affording not only a means of
embarkation but also a further marine
parade.
THE OPENING CEREMONY.
Although there was nothing exceptionally
interesting in the programme arranged— there
was an interest in the occasion which
attracted a met concourse of people. Never
before has St.Annes had its resources taxed
so completely, and never before has it had
so many visitors within its borders. In
truth, the very promoters of the
demonstration must have been gratified
beyond anticipation, for expectation could
hardly run riot to the tune of converting
St. Annes into a second edition of
Blackpool. Such was the case, though, and
unless opportunities for a “general“ holiday
are multiplied, St. Annes will have to wait
a while for such another day.
Mr. Porritt, chairman of the company, and
under whose presidency the festivities were
consummated swelled the throng by bringing
his workmen (360 in number) from Helmshore.
Blackpool and Lytham contributed large
contingents, and Southport was not
unrepresented. Inland towns contributed
their quota to the guests, and taken
generally the town secured a very mixed
publicity. There was a liberal display' of
bunting on every available station, and the
Pier especially was decorated in an
effective manner.
The inaugural portion of the “show” took the
form of a procession, and in the direction
of this, and in the other arrangements of
the day, Mr. Nutter (secretary of the Land
and Building Company) was particularly
active and energetic. The varying elements
were marshalled near the St. Annes Hotel at
half-past eleven, and proceeded thence to
the Pier, headed by the capital band of the
3rd and 4th Battalion Loyal North Lancashire
Regiment, under the conductorship of Mr.
Norwood.
Next after the band came the St. Annes
Lifeboat, given some time ago by Mr.
Chadwick, of Manchester, drawn by six gaily
caparisoned horses, with the crew in their
picturesque scarlet caps and cork jackets ;
then the local ambulance corps, with their
uninviting " appliances," which seemed out
of place on such a festive occasion ; the
Chairman and Directors of the Land and
Building Company, and the Secretary, Mr. W.
H. Nutter ; pier engineers and the clerk of
works : members of the Local Board, Sunday
scholars, workmen representing various
trades, members of the Clifton Industry
Lodge of the Independent United Order of
Mechanics, headed by the handsome two-poled
banner belonging to the Fylde district, and
the St. Annes Subscription Brass Bend :
invited guests, representatives of the
estate, and Mayors of various Lancashire
boroughs. The Church of England Sunday
scholars were accompanied by the Rev. W. G.
Terry, Vicar of St. Annes, and Mr. J.
Pearson, superintendent ; the Wesleyans by
Mr. Telford, superintendent ; the
Independents by the Rev. A. Somerville,
pastor, and Mr. Robert Boyle, superintendent
; and the Baptists by the Rev. K. Brown,
minister, and Mr. F. Standring. Accompanying
the Mechanics, who numbered about 50, were
Bros. Richard. Lawless, I.G. of the Clifton
Industry Lodge ; George Howarth, D.M. ; W.
Rowstron, secretary ; T. Gillett, treasurer
-PART MISSING-
pany) handed to Col. Stanley a key, with
which the latter opened the Pier entrance
gate. The party forthwith proceeded along
the Pier to the head. Col. Stanley, who was
accompanied by Mrs. Clifton, Mr. A. W.
Clifton, Mr. Porritt, Mr. T. Pair, J.P., and
other gentlemen, subsequently taking up his
position on the band stand, whilst the
guests and processionists filed down either
side of the enclosure on the pier head.
Colonel STANLEY who was received with cheers
said he had been asked to declare that Pier
and the “extension” open and he did so with
very great pleasure. He believed he was not
wrong in saying that while the directors
were content to see the commercial
advantages of the Ribble, and ready to allow
the trans-oceanic steamers which they hoped
to see some day going up to Preston, pass
their doors, they felt that they would not
have fulfilled their duty towards St. Annes
if they had not rendered it a place where
persons could embark or disembark whether
for purposes of pleasure or otherwise under
all but the most extraordinary conditions of
weather, and with as much comfort as art and
skill could produce. (Applause.)
Notwithstanding that great difficulties had
had to be encountered, by the energy and
perseverance of the promoters and directors
and the skill of the engineers, the work had
been brought to a satisfactory impletion. He
had much pleasure in declaring the pier open
for the use and benefit of the public.
(Applause.)
On behalf of the shareholders, directors,
and others concerned in the work, Mr.
Porritt proposed a vote of thanks to Colonel
Stanley for his attendance.
Mr Maxwell, in seconding the motion, said
they were -highly indebted to Colonel
Stanley for his kindness. The peculiar
position of our Government at the present
moment must have made it a very difficult
matter indeed for the right hon. and gallant
gentleman to have come down to discharge his
promise on that occasion. (Applause.) The
proposition was received with “three times
three"—(Lancashire style).
Colonel STANLEY, in a brief response, said
thanks were rather due to those gentlemen,
the members of the Land and Building
Company, to whose energy they were indebted
for the successful completion of that work.
(Applause.) On all occasions of that kind
they were glad to know and to feel that
their Sovereign was associated with and
interested in the successful carrying out of
such enterprises, and he thought they could
do no better than signalise the opening of
the Pier by singing the National Anthem.
(Applause) The suggestion of Colonel Stanley
was forthwith acted upon.
Upon the conclusion of the formal ceremony,
on the invitation of the Chairman, a large
number of the invited guests took their
place on board the steamer “Wellington”,
which had been placed at the disposal of the
company for the day by Mr. Bickerstaffe,
manager of the South Jetty, Blackpool. The
steamer, like all the other craft, was gaily
decked with bunting, and presented a
charming picture. Brilliant weather with a
very slight westerly wind, favoured the
party and the sail was most enjoyable. At
half-past twelve the steamer put off a
little to enable the passengers to witness
the launch of the lifeboat, which proved a
most interesting spectacle. Shortly
afterwards, the Southport lifeboat, with the
Mayor of that town on board, appeared in
might and was subsequently in tow by the
"Wellington".
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