WFA in shops now!Kidderminster Enterprise Zone

	Wednesday, 15 June 2011
	Kidderminster Crematorium
	by Tav

I have just found photos of the new Kidderminster Crematorium on the Interweb. The architects, Howl Associates, have photos of it. It is based on a " curvilinear principle" apparently. Reflecting, "…a water droplet falling into a pool creating ripples being analogous to how one person’s life affects those around them during their lifetime".

Kidderminster Crematorium [Howl Associates]

Sources:
Kidderminster Crematorium, Howl Associates
Anon. (2010); 'Work to start on new Wyre Forest cemetery'; The Shuttle, 2 June 2010 7:40am
Anon.; 'New crematorium for Kidderminster'; Dignity Funerals

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Comments:

FlipC 15 Jun 2011

Look's nice, wouldn't have got the pretentious reference unless it was pointed out though.

FlipC 15 Jun 2011

So why can't our proposed new council buildings look this good?

Neil Harman 15 Jun 2011

...because FlipC, one can't sell a crematorium for other uses. So we get Tenko, so named by Tav, I presume as there will be overcrowding.

Jonathan Cooper 15 Jun 2011

I always thought that the new crematorium was officially based in the boundary of Stourport-on-Severn. I say this on the basis that an old "Stourport" sign was located about ten yards into the dual carriageway, but has disappeared some time ago, (one of the original posts which held the sign is still there). A newer and much more impressive brick welcoming sign is now at the other end of the dual carriageway near to St. John's Road. Curious me was wondering why, how and when this particular boundary change came into being?

Tav 15 Jun 2011

Nicknames for the crematorium, or would that be insensitive?

FlipC 16 Jun 2011

Well I wasn't going to say that lest I be accused of being too cynical .

Honest Ricardo Lampshade 16 Jun 2011

YES it would be insensitive to nickname the new crematorium.

Tav 16 Jun 2011

"YES it would be insensitive to nickname the new crematorium" Agreed then.

Honest Ricardo Lampshade 16 Jun 2011

it's tasteful design compared to the WFDC HQ is because it was done by private enterprise and the council was not involved, and thirdly, I wonder if the poppies are a natural coincidence or whether they have deliberately been planted - nice touch in view of the significance of poppies at remembrance time.

Tav 16 Jun 2011

The council are involved in the Kidderminster Crematorium project; they invested millions of pounds in the project. I know of one serving councillor (also a blurfer here on the 'Agenda) who had an issue with borrowing money to pay for the Crematorium when there was money available set aside for the new council headquarters.

Jonathan Cooper 16 Jun 2011

I totally agree with "Honest Ricardo Lampshade", the new crematorium is tastefully designed, unlike the new council HQ. I like the idea that the building was developed from the concept of a "water droplet falling into a pool, and the resulting ripples being analogous to how one person's life affects those around them during their lifetime". However wonderful I find the concept, and however much I like the design, I can't help but think that the building resembles an airport departure lounge, or a mini leisure centre! A leisure centre? Now this got me thinking!  It's strange, and probably my mind is working overtime here, but as WFDC are looking into closing leisure centres in the district to save money, I can't help but wonder as to exactly where a new leisure centre would be based. Judging by the comments coming from WFDC, it appears that a new leisure complex would be ideally situated somewhere between Kidderminster and Stourport. Unless WFDC are looking into placing a new leisure centre on the old sugar beet site, which I doubt, then in my opinion there really is only one location that would be ideal in the eyes of WFDC, and that would be right next door to the new Kidderminster Crematorium! Now Finepoint is a reality, and the new Kidderminster Crematorium is now near to completion, it seems to me that to keep all council amenities in one area would be an ideal situation for WFDC. Perhaps WFDC are taking a leaf out of Redditch Borough Council's book? In February this year Redditch Borough Council were planning to save £14,560 per year by using the heat emissions from a nearby crematorium to heat a local leisure centre and swimming pool. I remember the news story well, and as macabre as I found this plan, many residents thought it was a great idea. As WFDC appear to be becoming more "eco-friendly", maybe this might be the plan? If it's good for a neighbouring council, it may be good for us?

Tav 16 Jun 2011

Wow, Jonathan we are totally on the same wavelength. I was wondering when someone would bring this up. I too remember the when the news story broke. It is macabre, but at the same time annoyingly ingenious. I remember reading an article (I think in the Guardian) where a sceptic was describing a scenario where kids in the swimming pool were shouting out to 'throw another body on the burner' because the water is cold. An extreme exaggeration, but it got you thinking.

Honest Ricardo Lampshade 16 Jun 2011

I think you will find the council investment was just over one million only - private enterprise has put the lions share, and turned what was going to be a cemetery to a crematorium. I don't think the council have had input in the design of the building because of that fact. I also don't think money has been borrowed for what the council have invested as it was built up reserves - a loan would have been needed if the whole scheme had been financed by the district council. Perhaps Howard will clarify these points. Whilst the location may be a good one in terms of open space and green fields, which may not have been available anywhere else in Wyre Forest, I do think the district council are hypocrites when they are continually moaning about traffic on the Stourport Road, and then they add to it with this and the soon to be let office buildings at FinePoint.

Jonathan Cooper 18 Jun 2011

I used to walk the never-ending dual carriageway in the mid-1980's, and I always used to moan at the sign for conning me that I was not far from home! I haven't imagined it either, because one of the posts holding that sign up is still there! So officially Kidderminster Crematorium should be called Stourport Crematorium! However, as we're all one jolly togetherish district, I'm more than happy to call it The Wyre Forest Crematorium. Of course I'm merely speculating about the location of a new leisure centre, but as WFDC has hinted that it's something that might happen - and it would be located between Kidderminster and Stourport - then I can't see it being built anywhere else, right next door to The Wyre Forest Crematorium! It kind of makes sense! But having said that it also makes sense for a brand new multi-million pound HQ to be based in a town centre, as is traditional. So judging by the mentality of WFDC, a new leisure centre may be built somewhere in Button Oak!

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