Janet and Kevin Heaton have lived in Clarendon Road for 17 years,
after moving from Huddersfield in 1989 to run a guesthouse. They have seen many
changes, both good and bad, to the West End in that time, but on the whole, they have
many fond memories and happy experiences.
Janet said: “We’ve had our ups and downs and there’s never been a dull moment, but
the majority of the time we have been really happy here.”
Janet and Kevin ran their guesthouse for around 10 years, at a time when the
majority of properties on the road were also thriving guesthouses and there was an
abundance of tourists and regulars who used to come for their holidays. After a decade
they decided to close the guesthouse because the number of visitors diminished and
those who came mistreated the rooms. However, they loved the property and wanted to
stay in the West End, so they found a new way of filling the 6 bedrooms – with foster
children. Janet and Kevin have looked after many foster children and eventually decided
that they wanted to adopt. Over the past few years they have become ‘mum and dad’ to
Kieran.
They are both extremely house proud and have a spotless family home filled with lots
of happy memories of past times running the guesthouse and also from fostering
children.
|
Janet said: “The house is getting too big for us now and it’s a
struggle to look after the place, so we will move in the next few years to something
smaller, but we will definitely stay in the area. Also, there is plenty for Kieran to
do, with playing on the new sandy beach or riding on his bike in the street. The
promenade is lovely and flat and great for walking, why would we want to go anywhere
else?”
Janet and Kevin speak positively about the regeneration of the West
End and they are happy that the former ‘Greenhurst’ and ‘Castlemaine’ guesthouses are
being converted into family homes. Kevin said: “When they [Greenhurst and Castlemaine]
were bedsits, the police used to attend three or four times a day. We knew that the
area couldn’t go any lower and we have stayed.” On the newly renovated former
Greenhurst hotel which has been converted into two family homes, Janet said: “They are
very nice, and have been well done. I approve of the shared ownership scheme because
the person living in the property is more likely to care for the house if they own
it.”
Their hope for Clarendon Road is that residential parking is introduced. Keith said:
“Parking is an issue. Sometimes we cannot park outside our own house, especially if
there is an event on in Morecambe. We would like to make this street residential
parking.” They are also appealing for a window cleaner, - with four storeys and bay
windows, - keeping the glass clean is a difficult job, and now that there are nice
properties to look at, sparkling windows will make the view even better.
|
