Chairman's Miscellany - TrustNews September 2007
As befits the 50th Anniversary year of the Trust, the summer has been busy with events. On June 5 in brilliant sunshine ten generous members opened their gardens and clocked up over 1000 visits from Trust members and their friends. Teas were provided too and the event, organised by Iain and Penny Patton, was appreciated as a great success. The following week saw the start of the programme of Summer Walks with a dual bill at the Cathedral combining the William Walker story with a talk on the stained glass. The walks have taken place each Thursday except for July 26 - the most recent being a visit to the King Alfred bus depot arranged by Chris Webb, where we were welcomed by the Chairman, and a band of enthusiasts who have rescued the buses from as far afield as Ireland and the USA to restore them for the benefit of Winchester (where they turn out on New Year’s day to provide bus transport for residents and people from all over the country to enjoy the experience). On June 25, the Trust joined WARG,the Hampshire Record Office and the Winchester Museum Service in mounting an exhibition at the Mayor’s Garden Fete in the gardens of Wolvesey Palace. The reception held at the Gurkha museum on July 26 was attended by over 70 members and our President, Sir Peter Ramsbotham,for whom it was also a recognition of his support during the last 10 years.
Over the past 5 months Norman and Ann Roberts have organised the process of inviting entries and judging them for the Trust’s Awards. George Ferguson, recent President of the RIBA has kindly acted as Chairman of the Panel of judges and their recommendations will be exhibited at the AGM when members of the Trust will be asked to vote for their choices. The awards will be made on October 30th.
In early June members of the Trust Policy Group met senior City Councillors and officers to discuss future plans for Winchester and the Vision document which is still in need of public debate. The Trust continues to press for an overall conceptual plan for Winchester and its setting that will address the conflicting pressures for development and we await answers.
Another concern is the unkempt and uncared-for appearance of many of our streets and trees. A walk up Romsey Road from the Barracks to the hospital reveals weeds growing in walls and pavements which in turn trap litter and the same applies in St. Peter Street and many others. Trees in Friarsgate behind the Brooks car park are untended as are those in Chilbolton Avenue. Residents in the area bounded by St. Thomas’ Street-St.Swithun’s St. have long been complaining about the shabby state of the area and we are aware that City and County officers try to address these problems but are unable to act because Councillors do not provide the funds. Throughout the rest of the district Parish Councils are able to deal with such matters but Winchester only has a toothless and powerless Town Forum to care for our neglected City.
Recently Trust members were invited to visit the site of the new Library/Discovery Centre and the progress of work on Ashburton Court, both of which should provide welcome improvements for the City and residents.
In the last issue of TrustNews it was reported that Martin Biddle would be our speaker at the AGM but he is unable to attend. We are extremely fortunate that Professor Tom Beaumont James of the University of Winchester has agreed to come instead. Since first coming here in 1956 he has been researching the City’s history and we are delighted that he has kindly agreed to give the 50th Anniversary lecture.