Winchester A fair City by Jeffrey Smith FRICS - 
TrustNews September 2007
This delightful and interest packed little book characterises Jeffrey Smith’s passionate and sustained interest in our City over the past 50 years. He is the sole surviving member of those who founded the Winchester Preservation Trust in 1957 to oppose the policy of the time for ‘slum clearance’ that was being implemented with zeal by the City Council.
Jeffrey was a member of the City Council until local government reorganisation in 1973 and Mayor in 1966. Jeffrey was instrumental in generating funds for the rescue and restoration of buildings by organising auctions of pictures and making generous personal gifts. The first such building to benefit was St. Peter’s, Chesil Street and later the Heritage Centre in Upper Brook Street where the City Council removed the roof tiles to hasten its demise whilst the Trust was applying to get it listed. He paid for the recovering of the roof and the listing was successful so he raised further funds to assist in the restoration and establishment of the Heritage Centre.
The illustrations in the book demonstrate Jeffrey’s interest in the wealth of art depicting Winchester and illustrating the charm it wields over those who continue to value its unique character and setting, both of which are constantly under threat from current development pressures. The book has been published by Jeffrey at his own expense to raise funds once again - this time to assist in the restoration of Hockley Viaduct which is the proper responsibility of the City Council.
Jeffrey is a very worthy Vice-President of the Trust and has over 50 years contributed so much to its work and continues to do so. The book is available from St. George’s Bookshop, St. George’s Street and from the Heritage Centre, 32 Upper Brook Street.