Who are the real friends of Shelley Manor?

Is it THE FRIENDS OF SHELLEY THEATRE AND MUSEUM APPEAL (charity 106942) or is it the group currenty in favour calling themselves 'Friends of Shelley Manor'?

Or is it the artists and makers that gave the manor its name and who passed through its doors in the latter half of the 20th century as an art college?

Shelley Manor plans don't wash with artists

by Amy Funston 28.02.2005

Proposed plans for the renovation of Shelley Manor in Boscombe reveal the demolition of a number of art studios to make way for a block of apartments.

The plans, unveiled by chair of The Friends of Shelley Manor Pat Clark on Friday also include a medical centre, a theatre and café, a library and conference facilities.

Architect for the site Philip Proctor said the apartments were necessary to provide money for the restoration of the other buildings, including the old theatre building.

But chairman of Boscombe Network Community Enterprises Lee Hadaway told Bournefree News that the studios already built on the site would greatly help the regeneration of Boscombe.

He said: “Keeping these studios would increase tourism and raise the profile of Boscombe as a cultural venue.

“There is already the talent, all we need is a home. Does the demolition of these studios really sanction community use?”

Conservative MP David Atkinson asked residents for their fullest possible support for the plans.

He said: “Shelley Manor is the jewel in the crown of Bournemouth. Any council would be crazy not to realise the asset that we have.”

Bournemouth Borough council sold the entire site to Charles Higgins Primary Care Ltd, who is willing to lease the old theatre building to The Friends of Shelley Manor.

The ‘Friends’ need to raise £1.5m to restore the building into a theatre, museum and library.

Pat Clark said: “The link with the past is the reason for all this effort. We have fought long and hard to get where we are today.”

Boscombe resident Anne Smith said she realised the apartments were necessary as a practicality to allow the restoration of the most important part; the Manor itself.

The building, now over 200 years old, has been the subject of numerous determined campaigns since 2001 to prevent its destruction.

The Friends of Shelley Manor Community Enterprise Plan

The Friends of Shelley Manor is a voluntary organisation whose membership wishes to see the Manor saved.

The aim of the project is to secure the future of Shelley Manor for the next half century and beyond. Full renovation of the entire building will be undertaken with special emphasis going into the listed theatre and the re-creation of the Shelley museum. Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein will be celebrated with both film and literary archives. Study and research will be actively encouraged. Space will be made available for Artists and revenue will be derived from an in house restaurant, the letting of rooms to local and associated organisations, ancillary events, exhibitions, displays and shows.

Read more on the website The Friends of Shelley Manor

See also A Guide to Literary Bournemouth

and the Area Forums for background