Roger Brown's Model - TrustNews May 02
Most of you will have seen the marvellous model of Winchester made by Roger Brown. For those of you who have missed this remarkable experience, and for anyone wishing to see it again, we hope we have good news because there is a very strong likelihood of it being put on display again in the Great Hall of the Castle in the summer.
Roger, when he was the County Planning Officer, used to hold forth to the Trust (of which he has long been a member) about the need for a Town Model, saying "for goodness sake, if a town like Rye can boast a model, surely Winchester should have one!" He explained to us ignoramuses the advantages in terms of planning, conservation, education, and entertainment, and we were absolutely convinced by his persuasive words. But nobody had the courage to make one. So, when Roger retired in the mid-80s he sat down and made it himself!
This is no ordinary model either: 15 feet in diameter, it accurately records the City in the early 1870s, complete with its first street lighting scheme, and with cathedral and inn windows, all of which light up realistically. Given the overhead projection scheme and voice-over which Roger has always envisaged, it could be even more special, equalling, for example, the exciting model of Boston displayed in the Hancock Tower, which tells the story of the city, Boston tea party and all. And he is prepared to give this extraordinary asset to the City!
Unfortunately as yet no one has been able to find it a home so it languishes in sections like giant slices of stale cake in his garage. The Trust had a scheme to extend the Heritage Centre for the purpose, but we could not get sufficient support from the Authorities to obtain the necessary Lottery grant. The time has come to press for a solution again. Surely the County, the City or some other organisation has the space for a permanent display. What about the Bapsy Bequest, or perhaps some planning gain from the Friarsgate Development?
What is the Bapsy Bequest? Some 8 years ago Bapsybanoo Pavry, Dowager Marchioness of Winchester, left £500,000 to the City for a public building associated with the Guildhall. No use for it has yet been devised, and in the meantime the value of the bequest must have nearly doubled. In the next issue we hope to illustrate a scheme prepared by Huw Thomas, designed to house the model and more besides.