I’ve been prevaricating today and not getting on with my cramming for my finals. I don’t know where this new cavalier attitude has come from – it’s certainly out of character.

So, we’ve been to do a big food shop and had to pop into the city beforehand to pay some money into the bank. We parked at the rough end of town and decided that we’d amble along Union Street to look for a Todd-esque photo opportunity. DM didn’t shoot anything because the light was not good and I shot a handful of photos of this grand old lady of 115 years old who has fallen on some very hard times. Sadly she became the property of someone who should never have been allowed to own something of such beauty and such historical importance. I’m sorry Todd – the photo is crap compared to your sublime images.

I assume that once upon a time Union Street was the place to go in Plymouth. I’m also sure that the New Palace Theatre was a destination of some stature. I’m utterly baffled as to how this wonderful building could have fallen into such terrible disrepair. It is apparently Grade II* listed. Surely this status should provide a safety net to prevent it from crumbling to dust? Apparently not because it’s owned by someone who claims its value is £1 (not even as much as $2) and the City Council has refused point blank to stump up just 20% of the costs of refurbishment after English Heritage offered to fund 80%. In 2012 they said "The Grade II* Palace Theatre is one of the most historically significant buildings in the South West."

If I live to be 100 I’ll NEVER understand why we allow these beautiful building to end up like this. While the owner (apparently a convicted drug dealer) and the powers that be squabble about what happens next, the building is slowly but surely deteriorating and one day in the not-too-distant-future (if not already) it will be beyond help. It’s tragic and I’m not kidding when I say it makes me want to weep. Worse than that it makes me angry. Have we no pride in our buildings? Have we no respect for something of such beauty? Are we so engrossed with making money that we're prepared to forsake our architectural heritage to make a quick buck? What is wrong with our property laws that says a property is worthy of a Grade II* and yet we are powerless to protect it? There may be many who look on this part of the city as an eyesore but surely we have to provide our children with heritage? Oh what do I care, after all when I'm gone, that's the end of my line...(frustration talking).