Summer Walks 2008 Review - TrustNews December 2008
Our first walk, 'Alfred, the final chapter', was led by Barbara Hall. We met by Hyde Abbey where we were told about King Alfred, his son, his wife Ealswith and the founding of the New Minster, which was their original burial place. Their remains were transferred to Hyde in 1109. The extent of the Abbey, its history, and the surviving gateway were described in detail by Barbara who also told of the discovery of three coffins and bones, claimed to be those of Alfred, which were reinterred at the east end of St. Bartholomew's church. After further excavations in 1999, Hyde Abbey garden was created and opened in 2003.
Keith Leaman asked 'Are spaces important'?' on our second walk around Hyde. From the Abbey gateway we were led along Nuns Walk where we were asked to comment on the green space in front of the houses and the effect of walls, fences and trees. The sloping ground at Coney Green and the distant views were seen as important aspects. In this way we were led along Arthur Road, Egbert Road and Nuns Road noting the impact on the street 'spaces' of hedges, railings and chimneys. Ending at King Alfred Place, by a stream, and flint walls, we came to the profound conclusion that space is important to human life!
Andrew Rutter voiced his 'Likes and Dislikes' in our third walk starting on the Arbour. We viewed the houses along Clifton Road, noted the spacing of the letters in 'CLIFTON', and looked critically at the architecture and landscaping at the Peninsula Barracks. We found a face in the flint wall and walked via Upper High Street to Newburgh Street discussing building details. From the new steps at Belgarum Place, with a view of St Peter's Church, we were led to Milner Hall before walking along St. Peter's Street to Avebury House and the Royal Hotel, once a silk mill. We ended by discussing the windows at the end of the Pentice.
Our fourth walk combined the history, archaeology, and nature of Magdelene Hill Down to the east of the city. Don Bryan described the extensive WW1 army camp which occupied the site and showed us detailed maps and photos. Don also described the ancient history from the bronze age ditch and burial mounds to the medieval lanes linking Cheesefoot Head and Chilcombe valley. Lynn Formison described how the nature reserve was sown with native wild flowers and grasses to form a habitat for some thirty species of butterfly. We were told that butterflies needed Sun, Shelter, Sustenance and Sympathy. So did we as the blustery wind whipped up the rain at the end of our walk.
Our annual visit to St. Cross Hospital and Chapel was led by Michael Carden. He described the legend of the milkmaid and founding of the hospital by Henry du Blois. Michael described the various stages in the construction of the church, which due to lack of money, continued over a period of 200 years. Masters were appointed by the Bishop and varied in their integrity, a better one being William Lewis during the civil war. The original foundation for thirteen poor men, and the order of Noble Poverty added by Cardinal Beaufort in 1445, are distinguished by brothers wearing black gowns, or burgundy gowns and a Cardinal's hat. Our tour ended in the garden after visiting the Brethren's Hall and 15th c. kitchen.
For our sixth walk, Elizabeth Proudman led a tour of 'Regency Winchester' and described buildings, transport and events c.1800. The city had two MP's and people enjoyed the races on Kings Worthy Down. The Broadway was created and concerts were held in St. John's House. We walked along Colebrook Street and Water Close, described by Keats as a pleasant place, to College Street where Elizabeth read a poem by Jane Austen. In Canon Street we were told about Hamilton House and the reputed house of the Duke of York. We admired other Georgian houses in St.Thomas Street before ending beside God Begot.
On the 17th July we visited Winchester College where Suzanne Foster showed us some of the documents kept in the muniment chests since the 14th century. Among these were the charter of William of Wickham dated 20 October 1382, other charters, college statements, founders statute, city seal and customs and plans of estates. Then Patrick MacClure led us around the War Cloisters, made of Portland stone with 16 grey marble tablets to honour 500 Wykehamists who served in the conflict of 1914-19. The rafters display the regimental badges. Our guides imparted much historical information and answered many questions.
'Theatres and Cinemas' was the double bill for our walk led by Phil Yates who told us how the first cinema began in St. John's House, later the Palace of Variety. At the Cathedral Phil described the origins of the theatre before he led us to Hammond Passage for the history of the Picture House. The theatre in Jewry Street was once at Sheridan House where 'The Rivals' was performed. It then moved to the Corn Exchange and Market Hotel as a 'cine-variety' theatre. In North Walls we passed the site of the Odeon cinema before learning about the 'New Cine' theatre operating from 1927 in the black shed in Park Avenue. We ended at the Ritz, the venue in 1942 for a young Morecambe and Wise.
George Saumarez Smith was our guide to the Terraced Houses in the city. In Middle Brook Street George described the characteristics that indicated the age and internal features. The style of brickwork, the width of the dwelling, the alignment of windows and the presence of a fanlight were noted for comparison with houses in Upper Brook Street and Parchment Street. Houses in St. Peter Street featured good quality white brickwork and a front garden. Taking a short cut through the Royal Hotel we ended our walk noting the 'blind window' as an architectural feature and the narrow front doors of the houses in North Walls.
'Myths and Legends' provided an entertaining tour by Matthew Feldwick. We were led to Royal Oak Passage where it was easy to imagine the ghostly tale described by Matthew who also related the curse of God Begot. We were told the destiny of anyone who sat on the steps of the Buttercross and of the black dog that appeared at 8pm. The ghost of Lady Lisle haunts the Eclipse where she stayed before execution. The legend of St. Swithun and a ghostly push were related as we walked around the Cathedral. In Abbey Passage Matthew told of a mysterious blue light and our walk ended hearing the legend of Sleepers Hill.
Our host at the University of Winchester in Sparkford Road was John Mann who gave an introduction to the site before handing over to our guides, Richard Webster and Dave Mason. The new Students Union building stands alongside the original college building built for 30 students in 1864. The Arts faculty was built in the 1920's, but other buildings date from the 1960's, the Axary being enlarged in 1990. The sloping terrain drops 43 metres to The Dytch' on the southern boundary. Accommodation is provided on site for about 130 students. We ended our visit in the Winton Chapel, one of the original buildings.
Andrew Rutter's second walk, 'Unrealised Dreams', was around the Peninsula barracks. The Kings House was intended to feature prominently in a grand design linking it to the cathedral. Andrew suggested that such an opportunity occurred only once in 300 years. When the army left, plans to build a better museum and create a public open space were rejected in favour of housing with a major emphasis on landscape. Descending to the tower level through the lawned space to Searles House we admired the hillock at Beaumond Green. Climbing back to the square via Constable's Gate we noted the railings above the railway and the original columns of the palace before ending at Mons Court.
For our last city walk Robin Freeman chose the buildings of Thomas Stopher. We met opposite the 'de Lunn' buildings, named after the mythical first mayor, where Robin related biographical details of the architect and pointed to typical characteristics of the architect's work which is seen on many city buildings. We walked to High Street, where Stopher worked above the Hampshire Chronicle office and then to Staple Gardens viewing his many gables, shop fronts and ironwork also seen at the former Hampshire Friendly Society by the Great Hall. A family scandal was finally revealed as we ended our walk in Trafalgar Street.
Our final venue was the Hospital Field in Alresford Road where Dr Simon Roffey and Dr Phil Marten, from the University of Winchester. showed us the excavations on the site of the former leper hospital and chapel of St Mary Magdalene. Four trenches have been opened revealing foundations of the medieval Master's House, brick almshouses and flint walls of the chapel. Quantities of roof tiles have been found as well as worked stone and pottery from the 12th century. Evidence of the occupation by royalist troops in the Civil War and later by Dutch prisoners, and more recent mess cups from the WW1 camp have been found. Excavations are scheduled here for the next four years.
Many thanks to all our guides with their expert knowledge and enthusiasm who have given their time to prepare and lead these walks. Thanks also to all who attended and supported the Trust with their generous donations.