Councillor Arnold Sumner

Arnold Sumner

Arnold Sumner was born here and attended St Thomas and King Edward’s Schools. Spent all his working life in St Annes as a retailer, meeting and serving the St Anne’s on the Sea residents. Today retired and still serving St Annes residents as a town councillor. Worked on the steering group, which formed the Parish Council soon to be renamed as a Town Council. By presenting the concerns and aspirations of the residents to the council he hopes to secure a better future for St Annes. One of his first jobs as a Town Councillor was to address the issue of the double yellow lines on the sea ward side of South Promenade between, The Pier and East Bank Road. This could be expensive for anyone using the public toilets by the lifeboat memorial and facing a parking fine while doing so. He soon discovered that Lancashire County Council had put these lines down by mistake and they were immediately removed. Today, you are free to park there for two hours and enjoy our promenade Gardens. When it was announced that the Porritt built Town Hall was being considered for demolition he joined with others to get a petition to save this precious building. Signatures were gathered in St Annes Square. The petition of about 1760 signatures and letters was then presented to the leader of Fylde Borough Council on the Town Hall steps. As soon as it was announced that the indoor swimming pool was to close he arranged the date for the protest march. With the help of his wife Jill and generous support from his friends a large “ SAVE OUR SWIMMING POOLS ” banner was made, posters printed and displayed in shop windows and The Silver Bell Band was booked. 3000 angry residents of all ages marched holding placards aloft along the sea front on the outer promenade, to demonstrate against the closure of our pool. This was largest protest march that St Annes has ever seen Has been involved with chairing the planning committee that has been fighting inappropriate developments. Opposing the proposed building of houses on good farmland thereby putting into jeopardy the future local food supply. Concerned that eventually every bit of spare land left in St Annes could be developed and an urban sprawl is created joining us to Blackpool. There is a small amount of employment land left which should be retained for this purpose. Promoting and supporting the regeneration of St Annes as a Classic Resort. As co-ordinator for St Annes Chamber of Trade he has been actively involved with organising historical aviation events – the Christmas lights and supporting events – as well the egg rolling event in Ashton Gardens at Easter time all with the help and sponsorship of St Annes Town Council. By attending both the Ashton and Central Police and Community Together meetings and contributed to debates. We have all made St Anne’s on the Sea a safer place to live in. On the executive committee for The Supporters of Ashton Gardens to protect and preserve the gardens as an area of peace and tranquillity for all ages to enjoy. Looking forward to the Town plan, which will seek your opinions for the future of our town. Then moving forward in the knowledge that the council will be reacting to your true ambitions for St Anne’s on the Sea.

Contact:

10 Dorset Road

St Anne's on the Sea

FY8 2ED

Tel 01253 721608

Email: arnold.antiques@talk21.com