The Walls of Winchester - Trust Annual Report 1980
The Trust has always believed in the importance of the many and varied walls of interest which are to be found within the City of Winchester. Those that immediately spring to mind are the medieval city walls, but it is only comparatively recently that even these have received any degree of protection. The substantial portions still remaining, namely at Wolvesey, are well known, but the Trust has been concerned with the preservation of lesser known lengths of the walls such as in the gardens of Canon Street. A suggestion has been made that where the city wall has been lost the line could be marked out, and a suitable example for a pilot scheme might be in Eastgate Street.
The importance of preserving domestic walls is also now appreciated and some have already been listed, such as the early Victorian flint boundary walls to houses in the upper part of St. James Lane. As a step towards their protection the Trust is hoping to compile a list of similar walls which enhance the Winchester scene, and members of the Trust can assist by recording any such walls in their particular locality, and sending full details to the Secretary.
An important length of wall which has fallen into disrepair over the years, is that which surrounds the former garden of Hyde Abbey House, visible in Hyde Close and Victoria Road. This includes an outstanding Jacobean monument illustrated in the early Winchester guide books. The Trust is at present investigating the possibility of carrying out repairs with the aid of grants and contributions from the various owners. Estimates to date however indicate that costs are likely to be high, and this is only one of the many important projects of the Trust. One interesting old flint wall which is likely soon to be lost to the city owing to lack of maintenance is that which runs from Middle Brook Street to Lower Brook Street north of Cossack Lane. Walls such as this should be retained to give character to new development in the City Centre.