IT looks as if members of Fylde Borough Council have reneged against their promise to the people of St Annes, after the public protest march a few years ago that they would not be selling any part of Ashton Gardens -- our town's park, this is blatant deceit of the highest order by our councillors.

According to a voting paper sent with the Citizen the council have spent £30,000 of ratepayers money on a survey of Ashton Gardens, instead of lining surveyors pockets on useless information.

£30,000 could have been spent on refurbishing the rose garden, pond and drinking fountain in the rose garden, the remainder towards Institute maintenance.

With regard to Lottery funding 'Pie in the Sky' who knows if Ashton Gardens would ever receive lottery funding, it's doubtful.

Ashton Gardens used to be beautifully maintained years ago when St Annes was a small town and hadn't the immense revenue from flats and property this council now has to squander.

Councillors should be reminded of the old proverb 'Cut your coat according to your cloth'.

Cash should have been set aside annually for the maintenance of Ashton Gardens and Promenade Gardens.

Ashton Gardens should be in tip top condition also our promenade gardens from the revenue from sale of sand from St Annes beach, how many years has this gone on for, our sly councillors turn a deaf ear each time this revenue is mentioned -- but come on councillors how much revenue has it generated so far?

I cringe to think what would happen to the gardens if lottery money is granted.

The gardens were laid out by people who understood what landscaping was all about to a magnificent plan, they created a place of beauty, to be enjoyed by all, the gardens are unique.

It must also be remembered that those gardens house our magnificent war memorial to our local lads -- they must be kept in their entirety.

To stand on the bridge and look across the bowling green to the lovely building the Ashton Institute is a real joy to behold.

The quiet beautiful walk through the lawns up to the cenotaph must not be altered, these lawns are well maintained pleasant looking at any time of year and create a serene atmosphere to the area.

I fail to see apart from tidying up the gardens, more flowers, good paths can't be done now out of the council's incoming revenue, not an inch of land must be sold.

I have noted Lowther Gardens is not for sale, the council can also afford a shrimper -- the massive cost of maintaining and cutting grass on Lytham Green -- why not a few flats.

The enormous cost of maintenance for a non-working windmill, not at the expense of Ashton Gardens -- no way!

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