SKIPP Press Release (26/08/2010)

Right Royal Insult.....

Reading the propaganda spouted by the Councils Architect for their Seafront Museum Scheme (Echo 26th August), left us feeling thoroughly disgusted. Disgust engendered by the fact that the King and his wondrous treasures have been sidelined by blatant commercialism.

The Architect speaks with discernable glee about the 3D cinema, huge 200 seat restaurant, the three storey car park and of the commercial potential, however, what he singularly fails to mention is the Kings treasures.

What a right royal insult; the most important component of the museum is not even worthy of a mention, it would appear the King is a mere afterthought. Clearly what the architect has been briefed to design by Southend Borough Council is an entertainment complex, not a museum for the most significant archaeological discovery in over 100 years.

The Council cannot be trusted with these internationally important archaeological treasures; they have no interest in heritage, or historical education. Obviously the only consideration given by the Council to the artefacts is as a convenient way to attempt to misappropriate funding for their seafront white elephant.

As for funding, why are we continuing to pay an expensive architect to design a building, which, by the Councils own admission, they have no funding for?

SKIPP Committee 
					                
Patsy Link
Sheena Walker
Mark Raymond Sharp