Chairman's Miscellany - TrustNews December 08
In September, the Annual General Meeting moved to a new venue at the University of Winchester. The speaker after the formal meeting was John Bucknall, one time architect to the Landmark Trust, who spoke about its work and buildings and gave a fascinating and detailed description of the restoration of the Villa Saraceno, a Palladian building near Vincenza. I am sure that I am not alone in dreaming of renting it for a long vacation.
The AGM marked the end of a long period of service to the Trust by Alex Trimmer who had decided earlier not to seek re-election to the Trust Council. Alex served the Trust well and with quiet commitment.
The Trust Council has been strengthened by the co-option of John Beveridge, for many years a very active member of Winchester City Council, who has a strong interest in the well being of the city.
Later in September news emerged of the result of the Dean and Chapter's consultation about developments. To the relief of many, the possibility of building a new Choir School on the site of the Dean Garnier Garden has been rejected.
I have referred before to the considerable work being done on Andrew Rutter's major study of the city. Progress continues and it is intended that publication should take place in the late spring of 2009. The title will be "Winchester; the Heart of a City". More detail will be in the next issue of TrustNews.
The Trust receives a considerable number of periodicals, reports etc from bodies such as CPRE, Oxford Preservation Trust, English Heritage, Hampshire Gardens Trust and other local societies. From the 3rd December these will be available to members in the Heritage Centre on Wednesdays between 10am and 12 noon. Do come in and read them and the kettle may be put on for you!
Finally, best wishes for Christmas and the New Year.