Fylde Council secures future of Lytham St Annes Art Collection

Fylde Council has signalled its commitment to preserving the valuable Lytham St Annes Art Collection for the benefit of local residents.

The Council’s Executive Committee has backed the establishment of a charitable trust that will ensure the Collection, which comprises around 400 pieces of art donated over the last century, will continue to be managed with robust legal safeguards and protections.

The nationally recognised Collection includes the world’s most significant collection of works by prominent Victorian artist Richard Ansdell, who lived locally and after whom the village of Ansdell was named. The Collection also features paintings by renowned artists including Henry Fuseli, Alfred Elmore, John Morgan, Federico Andreotti and Charles Burton Barber.

An overarching charitable trust, with the Council as sole trustee, would replace the current fragmented legal framework under which individual items are held. This unified approach will ensure coherent management and long-term preservation of the Collection for future generations.

Councillor Jayne Nixon, Lead Member for Tourism, Leisure and Culture, said: “This Collection is one of our borough’s greatest cultural treasures and a vital part of our heritage. By establishing a charitable trust, we are not only protecting these remarkable works for future generations but also demonstrating our ongoing commitment to arts and culture in Fylde. The Collection tells our story of the philanthropy of the early donors of the artworks whose wealth came from the Industrial North and shaped our community. This new framework will ensure it continues to inspire and educate residents of Lytham St Annes and visitors alike.”

Margaret Race, Chair of the Friends of the Lytham St Annes Art Collection welcomed the decision: “We are most grateful to the Leader of the Council, Councillor Karen Buckley, and all those involved in the care of the Lytham St Annes Art Collection, for being prepared to do what is necessary to safeguard our Collection for the future. It is particularly important in these uncertain times with the possible restructuring of local government. We have been pleased to be united with Fylde Council in this common aim to ensure the well-being of our beautiful artworks.

“The Friends was formed to raise money for conservation and to raise awareness of the existence of, and cultural significance of, these exceptional works of art. If you are not familiar with the Collection, visit the Friends’ online catalogue, which has enabled individuals from all over the world to view our paintings and sculptures. We have also produced a printed catalogue, on sale at Lytham Heritage Centre or available direct from us on request.

“We are now confident that these treasures, particularly our world-renowned paintings by Richard Ansdell RA, 1815 – 1885, will continue to be accessible to the public and, importantly, remain at the heart of our community’s cultural life.”

The council will now begin the formal process of establishing the trust, working with the Charity Commission to ensure all procedural requirements are met.