Cleveleys Coastal Community Team Updates and Achievements

Cleveleys Coastal Community Team was the precursor to Care for Cleveleys. In a few short years this group achieved a lot! Here’s some of their updates and achievements. Newest at the top…

Cleveleys Coastal Community Team Updates

A celebration in a bus station might sound a bit weird! But on a wet Wednesday 7 November in 2018, the community joined local school children in the only one on the Fylde Coast! They came together in an event to celebrate the achievements of Cleveleys Coastal Community Team (CCT). Highlight of the afternoon was unveiling a new map in the bus station.

In 18 months, the CCT did a lot to improve the town centre and make it ‘better than ordinary’. The Town Centre Team have looked after the planters, litter picked and weeded. They recruited the help of prisoners from HMP Kirkham who painted most of the street furniture. Engineering company WEC Ltd provided a town centre noticeboard. And a new weekly market began at the invite of the CCT.

The event on 7 November was to thank all of the people who have given their time and services. Including students at Blackpool and the Fylde College who came up with the concept for the map. And importantly, it was to celebrate what a great sense of community spirit there is in Cleveleys.

Little did the volunteers know that their sense of community spirit was to be put to the test! The new map welcoming people to town was left covered in protective film until the big reveal. However the vinyl was a little too well stuck to the graphic and all hands were needed to free it!

An Afternoon to Remember!

Jane Littlewood, Chair of Cleveleys Coastal Community Team, thought it was an afternoon that everyone would remember. “When we saw the backing plastic had stuck to the graphic, everyone helped to peel it off. In an entirely unplanned way it was a perfect example of why we were there. Everyone did their bit, in good spirits and having a laugh at the same time. We made lots of new friends.”

The children from Northfold Primary and Manor Beach Schools led the group in a sing-song. A few chorus of ‘Oh we do like to be beside the seaside’ brightened up the wet day! Paul Maynard MP then addressed the gathering to congratulate everyone on their achievements.

Jane finished by saying that the CCT has lots of plans to help to keep Cleveleys great. It’s important that everyone works together, much like they did when uncovering the sign. That way we can resist the decline of our town centre, like so many other towns all over the UK.

If you’d like to help email jane@theRabbitPatch.co.uk.

The finished bus station map…

We’re sure you’ll agree that the new ‘Welcome to Cleveleys’ map has transformed the bus station, brightening it up considerably!

It showed visitors to the town what’s where, and shows off what a great community we have here in Cleveleys.

The concept for the artwork was created by students at Blackpool and the Fylde College (see below). Then translated into a piece of finished artwork by us here at Visit Cleveleys. And no, we weren’t paid to do the artwork!

The Coastal Community Team have been working with Wyre Council to brighten up the bus station. Four of the supporting steels were replaced and other works carried out to platerwork and fascia boards. The CCT paid for the bus station to be washed down. And the big sign on the roof to be cleaned and repainted. Thanks go to volunteers from HMP Kirkham for painting the benches.

Sadly, the artwork was vandalised just a few months later. It was a very testing time as the panels were wrecked, one by one. Unusually for Cleveleys, youths systematically graffitied across them and prised panels off the wall. The whole thing was removed after less than 4 months. Some years later the current Mythic Coast mural replaced it.

Cleveleys Coastal Community Team Update – July 2018

200 paper copies have been printed of the latest update newsletter, and it’s being delivered to businesses. Watch out for your copy or download it and read it in full here.

Lots of news is included in this edition, including:

• Big Clean Up on 7 August
• Installation of the new noticeboard
• What’s happening at the bus station
• Cleaning up the clock shelter
• News from the Town Centre Team
• Get your Coastal Community Team sticker
• Plant donation from Dobbies Garden Centre
• Bollards and finger posts
• Events and Markets
• Busking
• Support for Retailers
• Well done Northfold School
• How to get involved

Stub it out to Keep Cleveleys Tidy – April 2018

Published on 20.4.18

Cigarette ends are the bane of the town centre streets. Thanks to the children of Northfold School, new litter bins were made and installed. Somewhere for smokers to safely dispose of their cigarettes instead of throwing them on the floor. Read about the cigarette bin project.

Cleveleys Coastal Community Team Updates – January 2018

300 copies of the latest update were hand delivered to shops and businesses in Cleveleys in January 2018. Download it and read it in full here.

Brightening up Cleveleys Bus Station – January 2018

Cleveleys is lucky to have a bus station – it’s now the only one on the Fylde Coast. However, it’s shall we say, a bit grim. But the Coastal Community Team (CCT) have a plan to change all that. And students from Blackpool and the Fylde College are helping out!

They came to have a look at the site on Thursday 18 January 2018 and talk to the CCT about what the plan is. The students are going to design and create artwork for a big map to fill the brick wall behind them. The map will show off our lovely town and highlight it’s many good features. The finished map will be translated into a big sign and fastened onto the wall.

The CCT are also looking at other ways of improving and brightening up the bus station. Would you believe that it’s five years since the last refurbishment works were carried out.

Brightening up the bus station to make it work for the town

It’s important that it looks nice because it’s a busy spot and a main gateway to the town. People who arrive in Cleveleys by car, coach and service bus all pass through here.

The aim of the CCT is to:

– make it a better user experience for the people who arrive and depart from there
– make it a more attractive piece of public realm
– create a welcoming gateway into Cleveleys
– create a talking point

Some of the things that we’d like to do are:

– Paint/refurbish the yellow poles
– Paint the bus station sign
– Paint the benches
– Install a community noticeboard
– Put informational banner signage on the railings
– Jetwash the floor
– Install other artworks

Would you be able to help to do any of these things? Please contact jane@theRabbitPatch.co.uk

High Sheriff visits Cleveleys Coastal Community Group – 2017

In autumn 2017, the High Sheriff of Lancashire Robert Mitchel Webb JP DL visited the group. He was greeted by then Mayor of Wyre, Councillor Alice Collinson when he came to see the work of Cleveleys Coastal Community Group.

The High Sheriff with the Mayor of Wyre (centre). Jane Littlewood (right) and Councillor Peter Murphy (2nd right). Cleveleys Coastal Community Team volunteers (l-r) Peter Kerekjarto, Alison Wilson and Dorothy Ford.

The role of the High Sheriff is to be the Queen’s representative in the County, and one of the main public duties is to support and encourage the voluntary sector. After chatting to the volunteer team the High Sheriff was given a guided tour of the town and some of the work that’s been carried out along with forthcoming plans for next year.

Jane Littlewood is Chair of the Coastal Community Team. She welcomed the official guests, saying “All of the team are working hard to improve Cleveleys and grow pride in our community. It means a lot to have our efforts recognised in this way.”

Wyre Council Planning and Economic Development Portfolio Holder, Councillor Peter Murphy, is an active part of the Coastal Community Team. He accompanied the guests on their tour of Cleveleys. Peter commented: “It is gratifying to have a person such has the High Sheriff taking an interest in the scheme. It can only raise the profile and hopefully encourage other local people to volunteer in this very worthwhile effort”.

Cleveleys Coastal Community Team Updates – Other areas of Cleveleys

The Coastal Community Team is made up of a small group of volunteers and a small committee. There is a limit to what can be done with the resources which are available. And so priority areas in the town centre are being concentrated on first. The long term aim is to involve all residents and businesses throughout the whole of Cleveleys.

Would your street or area like to get involved? Have you got pride in where you live or work? If you’d like to join in, why don’t you form your own little group?

Everyone can clean up litter, weed, sweep, wash, paint and look after their little patch themselves. Whether that’s a residential street or a row of shops. If we all took pride in where we live and work, just imagine how nice it would look. The added advantage is that you’ll meet your neighbours and make friends, and create your own micro-community. Feel free to post your achievements in the Care for Cleveleys Facebook Group. Then everyone can see what you’ve done.

Cleveleys Coastal Community Team Updates – August 2017

Quite a lot of progress has been made quite quickly, which is great! A big thank you to everyone who has been involved to date.

Retail is changing, that much is certain. Out of town shopping, supermarkets and of course the internet are changing the way that people spend money. Town centres all over the UK are feeling the pinch from it. So Cleveleys CCT are on the lookout for ways to make our town resist that decline. Rather than waiting for it to become a ghost town and not being able to do anything about it.

The Team are trying to keep everyone informed about what’s happening, what’s in the pipeline, and what’s being discussed. 300 printed copies were hand delivered, and the latest update is also online here. 

Just five months in and the new Cleveleys Coastal Community Team (CCT) has already achieved a lot. Here’s what’s happening and what’s being looked at:

1. Care for Cleveleys

The idea of the Care for Cleveleys Facebook group is that it’s the official ‘community hub’ for the Cleveleys Coastal Community Team. It’s where we can share news and views, ask opinions, hold surveys, talk to each other and work together as a strong team. It’s also where you’ll find Cleveleys Coastal Community Team updates. Some people will want to come along and physically help. Others will have a lot to contribute in ideas, contacts, advice and moral support. Please join Care for Cleveleys here

You’ll also have noticed that Cleveleys Coastal Community Team has a new logo and strapline. ‘Putting People at the Heart of the Town’. That’s local people, visitors, young and old, shops and shoppers – our town relies on people and that means you! This logo was designed free of charge by The Rabbit Patch.

2. Planters

The big grey pots are starting to fill out and the plants are starting to flower. The CCT planted them up on Clean Sweep Day in June. The CCT paid for the plants and soil out of the grant fund.

The flower bed at the Rotary Clock at Nutter Road is also being looked after by the Coastal Community Team. It’s looking better than ever. Some new notices will be going up shortly in the pots.

3. Bollards

Cleveleys Coastal Community team have arranged for HMP Kirkham to repaint the bollards in Cleveleys town centre. You might have noticed that they are in a poor state of repair. You probably haven’t noticed how many of them there are!

Work started on 19 July 2017 when 54 bollards were painted on the first day. The team will come along to Cleveleys for a day a week until everything is finished. The Coastal Community Team paid for the paint and materials out of the grant fund.

4. Busking

We’re on the look-out for ways to make Cleveleys an attractive place for people to come to. Make it the first destination they think of when they’re looking for something to do. Something that doesn’t cost loads of money and take a whole load of organising. But creates a happy atmosphere where people have a great time and want to come back.

We get some good musicians playing in Cleveleys and that’s something that we’re trying to encourage. Music lightens your mood, it slows you down and makes you feel happy. And what are happy people more likely to do? Yes, spend money – and come back another day!

Please spread the word, tell any musicians that you know what’s happening, and please join the new Facebook group. The idea is that musicians post on Facebook when they come to Cleveleys to play.

Update 27.7.17: It’s come to our attention that the jazz band in particular are too loud. They have been asked to turn the volume down to an acceptable level and have agreed to do that. 

Please join Busking in Cleveleys here

5. Town Centre Team

A new Town Centre Volunteer Team has been formed as part of the Coastal Community Team. They’ll continue the good work and look after the place.

Meeting about every four weeks, they’ll spend an hour or so out in the town. Looking after the plants and attending to any new jobs that are identified and need doing. It’s important that anyone who helps and volunteers enjoys what they do. A brew and a natter is a vital part of the exercise, and the Town Centre tidying will be followed by a coffee.

6. Noticeboards

After investigating, the team discovered that noticeboards aren’t cheap! So you can see that something seemingly simple and straightforward is actually going to take more time to do! Keeping people informed about what’s going on is important though, and we’ll continue to find ways to do that.

7. Events for 2018

The CCT want Cleveleys to be a destination visited throughout the year. Somewhere bright and vibrant and interesting for 52 weeks, with high spots provided by events large and small. So we’re scoping out events and markets to be held in 2018.

8. Clock Shelter

We told you in April that Wyre Council have got the repainting of the lower levels of the clock shelter on their maintenance schedule for this year. At some point it will get attention although there is no firm timescale as yet.

9. Bus Station

This is one of the main gateways to welcome people to town and it’s not exactly welcoming is it?! The CCT are talking to Wyre Council and Blackpool Transport about how it could be made more attractive. We’ve got some ideas but if you’ve got any suggestions please shout up!

10. Parking – for cars and coaches

This is a whole can of worms and in a densely packed urban area like Cleveleys is unlikely to be resolved in any significant way. Unless someone has a magic wand that they can use to spirit up a new plot of land? Along with a fortune for a perfect tarmac surface!

However, the CCT think that there could be some room for improvement. We will be pursuing the issue of parking for coaches to identify where improvements could be made. That might be to duration of stay, cost, signage, information – and your suggestions/comments are welcomed.

11. Pavements

A lot of the pavement on the wide side of Cleveleys high street belongs to the individual shops. Their curtilage includes the old gardens from when they were houses. The ‘pavement’ is mostly block paved – you can see from the paving which is managed by Lancashire County Council.

On the narrow side of the high street, there are still large sections of paving flags. They’re far from even and quite dangerous, with frequent trips and slips. The CCT will be asking LCC to take a look at this. If you have any evidence of accidents please get in touch.

12. Beggars

In Blackpool they are clamping down on beggars and anti-social behaviour. You can already see that this is displacing people to Cleveleys. Please phone the police on 101 to report beggars.

13. Cleveleys Leaflet

Still on the ‘to do’ list! To be distributed to hotels in Blackpool to encourage visitors there to come our way.

14. Councillors Surgery

Would you know how to contact your local councillor, or how they could help you? Would you like to attend a drop-in and have a chat with someone and ask a question? Do you think that a regular Councillors surgery would be a good idea?

If you define ‘Cleveleys’ as the area between Rossall School, the Blackpool boundary and Amounderness Way, seven Councillors represent us:

Jubilee Ward – 2 Wyre Councillors
Victoria and Norcross Wards – 2 Wyre Councillors
Cleveleys Park Ward – 2 Wyre Councillors
Fleetwood West and Cleveleys West – 1 Lancashire County Councillor

Then in Thornton there are additional Wyre Councillors for Marsh Mill, Pheasants Wood, Bourne and Stanah wards.
Plus Lancashire County Councillors for Cleveleys East, Cleveleys, South and Carleton, Thornton & Hambleton.

15. Gateways

Coming to Cleveleys for the first time, you’d more than likely approach it from Blackpool or from the A585. What would be your impression? How do the gateways to our town make you feel? Is there anything that you’d like to see improved?

16. Signage audit

Following on from Gateways, the CCT is going to have a look at the signage to, in and around town. What’s here, what should be here, and what needs removing?

Big Cleveleys Clean Sweep Day

The ‘Big Clean Sweep’ day was one of the first events, held in Cleveleys on Thursday 1 June 2017.

A successful funding bid to the Department of Communities and Local Government (DGLG) created the team. They have been able to co-ordinate this successful event.

One of the team’s priorities is to look at the cleanliness of the town. Activities on the day included litter picking, weeding and planting up the large grey planters. Cleaning around shop fronts resulted in a big pile of sacks of weeds and rubbish which were collected.

Members of the team were handing out information and encouraging people to take part in future events. Shoppers were also asked to fill in a survey about what matters to them. A packed lunch was very kindly provided for the volunteers by The Venue.

Chair of Cleveleys Coastal Community team is Jane Littlewood. She commented: ‘Today is the first public event which has been organised by Cleveleys Coastal Community Team. We have had a good turnout of eager volunteers. Between us we’ve made a significant difference to the look of the town. At the same time we’ve encouraged people to be community minded.’

Grey pots planted up with a mixture of plants by volunteers

Grey pots before the transformation

In January, Cleveleys secured £10,000 from the Department of Communities and Local Government to create the new Coastal Community team.

The team has since co-ordinated a town centre retail questionnaire, which has informed the development of an action plan. It takes into account both short and longer term community priorities, any existing plans and seeks to improve their impact.

Join the Care for Cleveleys Facebook group to see more photos from the day.

Business Questionnaire

Printed surveys were hand delivered to all local businesses in Cleveleys in April 2017.

This was your chance to have your say and to make your voice heard about the issues in Cleveleys right now. What you think would help to improve it for the future.

It’s also important that we collect contact details for each business. We want to keep in touch about plans and make sure that the Coastal Community Team achieves the best outcome.

The new Cleveleys Coastal Community Team started their work by taking a good look at the town. What the issues are now and what might be a problem further down the line. That includes all the many strengths of the place and how they can be exploited and capitalised on.

An action plan is being prepared and will be sent to Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG). It’s a part of the funding criteria. Within that are the objectives and actions that the team will be looking to carry out.

We #loveCleveleys and we’re prepared to roll our sleeves up – are you?