I WAS saddened to read of such artless bloodlust for destruction from A Smith (Citizen: Feb 28). He cites Kingsway, the Winter Gardens and the Midland Hotel as being "eyesores."
What is it that hurts the eye about the Winter Gardens or Midland? Using this reasoning the same would have been said about the "des res for vermin" they called Williamsons Memorial and Morecambe's old station building. The Platform would not exist, the mill buildings on Moor Lane and the mills on Lancaster quayside would have been levelled. I love the Kingsway building I've not seen the likes of it outside Berlin. Its impact may be daunting and not to everyone's taste but it is nevertheless a superb example of 1930s architecture and the only example left standing in Lancaster.
I have never forgotten the first time I saw the Midland Hotel and I believe it is worth fighting to preserve it if only for its design and architectural merit. Dilapidated it may be, but it's no slum. It is too important to be levelled and that is not being sentimental, there is simply a potential yet to be realised.
Buildings of character are worth preserving and if we have to wait a few years for the money or the vision to come through then so be. That's why buildings are listed.
I take issue with the idea that by taking photographs the building will last longer. Correct me if I'm wrong but methinks the Romans weren't armed with Kodaks. Go to Rome, Verona, Siracusa - their 200 BC ampitheatres still stand and are still used.
Snap decisions about our architectural heritage should be avoided. Progress is made by building and improving on the past, not by levelling it to dust then wondering about the significance later.
Mr H L McManus,
Moor Lane,
Lancaster.
Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.
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