£4m lottery cash saves Florrie

http://img100.imageshack.us/img100/1820/florriees9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

MILLIONS of pounds of lottery cash were today awarded to a building at the heart of the ECHO’s Stop the Rot campaign.

The Heritage Lottery Fund has agreed a £3.9m grant to help regenerate the Florence Institute in Dingle.

It will house a 300-seater auditorium, gym, cafe, crèche, social enterprises, library and heritage resource centre, and the observatory will be restored.

The country’s oldest surviving purpose-built youth club will now be converted into a community facility.

http://icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk/liverpoolecho/news/echonews/tm_objectid=17824605%26method=full%26siteid=50061% 26headline=%2d4m%2dlottery%2dcash%2dsaves%2dflorri e-name_page.html

It was a stunning building in its heyday so I hope they do a good job returning it to its former glory,here's the "Friends of the Florrie" website.

http://www.savetheflorrie.org.uk/history_files/gallery.htm

Excellent news! Thanks for that.

here here, lets put Liverpool back on the world map...

Lemmo...:037:

gym, cafe

Splendid.:PDT_Aliboronz_24:

It's good news for a lovely building. :)

My Da used to live not a 100 yards from the Florrie and not a million miles from the 'Holy Land' either. I reckon he'll be made up with this news.

:celb (23):

There's a 'Holy land' in Anfield too .. no not LFC :D (only joking ! I'm not a footy fan) .. there's Abbey, Cathedral, Chapel, Monastery, Bishop, Canon, Vicar, Rector, Curate roads.
Someone once told me that they called it 'The Holy City' 'cos it's got Cathedral.

How come you get an animated avatar, when I tried to put one on it told me I couldnt.:Colorz_Grey_PDT_24:

I don't know Shytalk. Perhaps Kev will know. Mine went on no problem.

ps,
that's my Mersey seagull. :)

I hope there's enough money to build a new roof.
The building has been open to the elements for far too long.

i am so happy about this!

hurray!

Does anyone have

any links or contacts for the people directly involved in the restoration of the Florrie?

"It will house a 300-seater auditorium, gym, cafe, crèche,

social enterprises, library and heritage resource centre" - This is exactly the kind of project I have been wanting to be involved in.

Lemmo. :037:

Does anyone have any links or contacts for the people directly involved in the restoration of the

Florrie?

"It will house a 300-seater auditorium, gym, cafe, crèche, social enterprises, library and heritage resource centre" - This is exactly the

kind of project I have been wanting to be involved in.

Lemmo. :037:

Try "Toxteth Town Hall" in High Park Street.

Thanks Philip G...I will

Lemmo...:037:

The Florrie was being surveyed last week. This week the inside of the building is being cleared out by workmen.

Let's hope there's continuing money to fund the running of the place. Remember the council's withdrawal of funding for the Garston Banks Rd Community centre Project and the serious effects this is projected to have.

Also I sincerely hope the community continue their support for the St Cleopas and St Gabriel Church Youth projects. It would be a shame for the Florrie to eclipse these very worth while community facilities. Same goes for St Cleopas's Cleo's Cafe and laundrette.

The Florrie was being surveyed last week. This week the inside of the building is being cleared out by workmen.

Ahhhh! T'anks for the heads up, squire. I feel a visit after work on the morrow is in order.

:)

PRINCE Charles made a visit to a landmark on the ECHO’s Stop the Rot hitlist.

The prince had asked to see the Florence institute in Mill Street, which the community wants to restore with the help of a £3.9m Heritage Lottery grant.

According to campaigner Tom Calderbank, he was amazed to learn the building was owned by his mother the Queen. more (http://icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk/liverpoolecho/news/echonews/tm_headline=prince%2D%2D8217%2Ds-trip-to-see-the-florrie%26method=full%26objectid=18953559%26siteid =50061-name_page.html)

At the last screening of Gardens of Stone at Lee Jones centre, a couple of 1980s to present 'activists' in the best possible sense of the word, showed up (pre-arranged with us) as they had a video of Gerard Gardens being demolished (both fantastic and sad) as well as other film of them camcording around Liverpool in 1987 including a group on at Streets pub and a disco on in Kirklands and them getting people to say 'on camera', their motto 'Keep the pool alive'. One of these chaps is currently active in removing the tons of rubbish from inside the Florrie (where my father-in-law went to as a Dingle youngster, born off Cockburn st) and they also have to deal with getting rid of hundreds of rats which have taken over. He gave me a card for the Belvedere Community Activity Centre in Miles Street, Toxteth so perhaps they can give anyone any updates on progress.

Excellent news - I'm glad they're moving forward with this. I just hope that when it's finished it is looked after and not damaged.

Excellent news - I'm glad they're moving forward with this. I just hope that when it's finished it is looked after and not damaged.

I'm very pleased that Prince Charles wanted to see the Florrie, but let's not get carried away by the fact that his Mum might own the building.
I think it's more to do with not knowing who currently owns it, and perhaps a bit of Compulsory Purchase that the ownership has passed to the Crown.
The Queen therefore owns an awful lot of derelict property.

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u151/mariajune_2007/TheFlorry.jpg

The Florry

They've already set up an office in there but one of the fellers working on it said that they've got to move a colony of bats out before they can do much else.

Just been speaking on the phone to the lads active in this great restoration. Here's one webiste with another to do with the Belvedere being built.

http://www.savetheflorrie.org.uk/

I'm very pleased that Prince Charles wanted to see the Florrie, but let's not get carried away by the fact that his Mum might own the building.
I think it's more to do with not knowing who currently owns it, and perhaps a bit of Compulsory Purchase that the ownership has passed to the Crown.
The Queen therefore owns an awful lot of derelict property.


I think this is a joke ???

When Prince Charles got shown around the Florry, instead of wearin' a hard hat, he had a dead fox on his head.

One of the fellers asked him why he was wearing that an' he said,,,,,

"I was talking to Mummy, the Queen you know ?"

She said, "Charles, where is your next engagement ?"

I replied, "The Florry."

She said, "Wear the foxed hat?"

Ha ha. Good one MariaC.

She was meant to be there too apparently but was up in her bedroom with her Philips 15 inch instead.

Ha ha. Good one MariaC.

She was meant to be there too apparently but was up in her bedroom with her Philips 15 inch instead.

:unibrow:

So glad it will be restored, my dad learnt his boxing skills at the Florrie in the 1930s.
He lived in Northumberland Buildings and always spoke of it.
I am sure if he had been alive today he would have been over the moon.

So glad it will be restored, my dad learnt his boxing skills at the Florrie in the 1930s.
He lived in Northumberland Buildings and always spoke of it.
I am sure if he had been alive today he would have been over the moon.


A lot of our family used to box there, also in Our Lady of Mount Carmel, The Golden Gloves and the Pegasus. Does anybody remember those places ?

I train at the Golden Gloves which Is In the Belvidere Community Centre now.

Only found out the Golden Gloves used to be at the Florrie when looking at this from Liverpool Views.

http://www.liverpoolviews.co.uk/south/dingle/florrie13.jpg

Trainers moving to Scotland though.:eek:

http://icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk/0200sport/0610boxing/tm_headline=england-miss-opportunity-as-smith-heads-north%26method=full%26objectid=18884174%26page=2%2 6siteid=50061-name_page.html

You may know the two lads we know then Max. Tommy Calderbank and Ian Mulherney, they work out of the Belve restoring the Florrie.

Nah don't know them.

Max, the Golden Gloves was never in the Florrie. It used to be in Admiral St. then moved just up the road to where you train now, under the United Services Club. Did you notice on your magazine page it said John Conteh boxed for the Florrie, stirring up an old thread, about Conteh living in the Dingle. I used to train in the Gloves when it was in the Services, took a few beatings sparring !!! All a great bunch of lads, the person who took over the Services shut us down, a Mr R Sole.!! or was he a major?

John Conteh was from Kirkby though even though he boxed down there. I once played in a group in the United Services club, if I remember correctly we went down Park Road past the market and turned left and along a street to it, but it was deffo the USC.

Some bloke on R5Live just briefly talked about The Florrie @ 13:46. Will be on the Listen Again function I imagine....

good news guys, any further update, can anyone take some pictures ...(pretty please...)

Lemmo...:PDT_Aliboronz_24:

good news guys, any further update, can anyone take some pictures ...(pretty please...)

Lemmo...:PDT_Aliboronz_24:


The latest 'Florrie News' came through the door the other day.
4 pages on glossy paper.
It mentions the Royal visit, and the fact that 20 skips were filled with rubbish and says "Work will continue in the coming months to undertake structural and topical surveys to give SAFE access." (That is exactly how the word 'safe' appears.)
However, nothing seems to be happening at the moment, and it is STILL a gutted shell, open to the elements, and taken over by full-grown Buddlea bushes.
I'll take some snaps in the next few days.

Thanks for the info.

Nice to know that work is continuing.

If anyone passes the Florrie, then have a look at the windows above the entrance door. A glitter-ball and star have been erected.

If anyone passes the Florrie, then have a look at the windows above the entrance door. A glitter-ball and star have been erected.

Hi Marky
We took some pics before.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/Carrie132/27122007052.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/Carrie132/27122007051.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/Carrie132/27122007046.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/Carrie132/27122007050.jpg

Arh, sad to see it in that state. Excellent views cheers.

They cant restore the Florrie yet because there is a colony of bats living their and the consrvation people havent moved them yet.

Excellent photos. What a shame to see the place in such a state. :sad:

They cant restore the Florrie yet because there is a colony of bats living their and the consrvation people havent moved them yet.

Maybe this is the case, but we pass there almost twice a day and haven't seen any activity for months, since the skip was outside in the summer.

Fine pictures, DaisyChains.

:handclap:

Fine pictures, DaisyChains.

:handclap:

They were a joint effort between me and my fiancee....:)

They were a joint effort between me and my fiancee....:)

I stand corrected. Fine pictures, Daisychains and fiancee.

:PDT_Piratz_26:

Thanks for the photos, but it's shameful that a new (or even a temporary) roof hasn't been put on the building.
It's had enough money for one, and even a visit by Prince Charles hasn't resulted in anything being done to the building.

A glitter ball.
My ar*e!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I thought I was seeing things ... a glitter ball :rolleyes:

I thought I was seeing things ... a glitter ball :rolleyes:

I know!
I wonder who put it up!!?

I agree with Philip though, surely something should have been done by now!

I know it said they had £4m, but I think they have to match it! so they need £8m really? And now with a dark recession on the horizon, a lot of charities and such will be one of the first to suffer. So, in my humble opinion, I think the florrie is maybe going to be once more Luxury apartments!!!:Smiliz_Kingz_PDT_13

I know it said they had £4m, but I think they have to match it! so they need £8m really? And now with a dark recession on the horizon, a lot of charities and such will be one of the first to suffer. So, in my humble opinion, I think the florrie is maybe going to be once more Luxury apartments!!!:Smiliz_Kingz_PDT_13

I wouldn't be at all surprised either.
I can't see them matching that 4 million.
In the area it's in, I doubt anybody would buy any luxury apartments there!
It's in a sad state

The latest 'Florrie News' (Issue 14, Winter 07/08), stated that they had been given more time to match the £3.9 milliion Lottery funding. This tells me that they are struggling.
The 'Star' above the glitter-ball must have blown down, as it's no longer there.
Has anyone any thoughts on the tiles around the top of the building. I think it's the Green man myth, but there are also some cherubs and what looks like a Liver-bird.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_Man

The latest 'Florrie News' (Issue 14, Winter 07/08), stated that they had been given more time to match the £3.9 milliion Lottery funding. This tells me that they are struggling.
The 'Star' above the glitter-ball must have blown down, as it's no longer there.
Has anyone any thoughts on the tiles around the top of the building. I think it's the Green man myth, but there are also some cherubs and what looks like a Liver-bird.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_Man

Do you get a newsletter delivered Marky?>

I believe some copies got delivered to the area near to the Florrie. Maybe, some they had left over? I scrounged a read of one. Upto issue 13 can be read online (pdf files). Their website states they are £1.7 million short.
http://www.savetheflorrie.org.uk/

I believe some copies got delivered to the area near to the Florrie. Maybe, some they had left over? I scrounged a read of one. Upto issue 13 can be read online (pdf files). Their website states they are £1.7 million short.
http://www.savetheflorrie.org.uk/

Thanks for that Marky.
I was on that site before. I emailed them and asked if there was any more news.

Thanks for that Marky.
I was on that site before. I emailed them and asked if there was any more news.

there is a public meeting tmw night at 7pm in Miles St.

Let's just hope that something gets done. It's right on my doorstep and it hurts to see it fall into more decay.

I had the taxi stop one day as we pasted the Florrie Hall just so I could take a picture of it. Even in it's ren down state the beaty of that building screams out at you.

I believe some copies got delivered to the area near to the Florrie. Maybe, some they had left over? I scrounged a read of one. Upto issue 13 can be read online (pdf files). Their website states they are £1.7 million short.http://www.savetheflorrie.org.uk/

The first post in this thread (September 2006) said they had to find 1.7m which they were confident would be found by the end of 2006.
So, if they still need to find 1.7m, I suggest that it's not a good idea to hold your breath about it being restored.

The first post in this thread (September 2006) said they had to find 1.7m which they were confident would be found by the end of 2006.
So, if they still need to find 1.7m, I suggest that it's not a good idea to hold your breath about it being restored.

Just to let everyone know

The meeting is in Belvedere Community Activity Centre, 89-91 Miles St, L8 at 7pm tonight.

They are messing us about - talking about bats, which need to be removed. Then about a lack of funds. Do they think we are stupid ?

Thats why I am going tonight. To find out

Good Luck DaisyC. and whoever else lives by there.. It is beautiful structure.. should be restored to its original state.. Just lovely lovely architecture there..
Also, nice to know that the Bats will be saved.. They are an asset to natures conservation... Bravo to that... :handclap:
Hope it all works for both sides... The Council needs to perserve this history and beauty.. no matter what they will put in that building.. A school would be nice... ta

They are messing us about - talking about bats, which need to be removed. Then about a lack of funds. Do they think we are stupid ?

Of course it would have helped if the local yobs had not set fire to the building. Then presumably its renovation costs would have been less.

I served my time as a joiner in the early 80's with C.I.T.B. there were apprentices from the same outfit that doing some project work there at the same time, I only saw these guys at college and never found out what the work was they did, I did however pass the florrie every day while working on grant jobs in the dingle every day for about 3 years, it is a lovely building

How did the meeting go?

Is there any news of development?