Summer Walks 2007 Review - TrustNews March 2008
Our first venue was Winchester Cathedral for two separate tours in four groups with our guides David Farthing, Peter Innes, Bronwen Black and Julie Adams. One tour covered the story of Stained Glass and a detailed description of many of the windows; the other tour looked at the work of William Walker, the diver, who spent six years reinforcing the foundations in water up to 27 feet. Our guides conveyed the significant contribution made by both to the splendour of our cathedral.
The importance of Space, Proportion and Detail' was the title of our second walk, led by Keith Leaman. We walked to Park Avenue to look at the School of Art where the proportion of the windows was a significant element in the design. From the open space adiacent to Blue Ball Hill we enjoyed the views over Winchester before observing the detailed brickwork in St.John's Street. We ended by walking along Colebrook Street to admire the classical water feature at the east end of the cathedral, described by Keith as the best view in Winchester.
Our third walk coincided with Architecture Week with the theme 'Different Perspectives'. Our guide was John Browning who began by outlining a proposed scheme for integrating the Brooks w'th the High Street by 'swivelling' the High Street facade. We were given an insight into how development in Market Lane and The Square increased the commercial value of the premises by creating useable space. The hazards of working on old buildings near to collapse and having underground vaults were vividly described. We were taken upstairs from St.Clement's Yard to see how the space can be utilised for exhibition and offices.
Phil Yates was our guide for a walk associated with the Southern Railway. We met at the station where Phil described the development and route of the line to the New Forest. We walked via the bridge and St. Paul's Hill to a former goods yard and then through the subway to the north of the station. Winchester to Basingstoke was the last section completed, with the Wailers Ash tunnel and five bridges near the station. We ended our walk at the 'Jolly Farmer' adjacent to Brassey Road, named after Thomas Brassey, the main contractor for this section of the railway.
For our fifth walk we visited the Hospital and Chapel of St. Cross founded by Henry de Blois, grandson of William the Conqueror. Our guide, as in previous years, was Trust Vice -Chairman, Michael Carden. In the Chapel we were told of the history and construction, with many contemporary anecdotes concerning the Masters, Bishops and Trustees. In 1450 the Almshouse of Noble Poverty was added by Cardinal Beaufort and we visited the 14th century Brethren's Hall and the 15th century kitchen. Our visit ended in the outer quadrangle beside the old brewhouse and site of the Hundred Men's Hall.
The events concerning Winchester in the Civil War were vividly portrayed by Elizabeth Proudman in our sixth walk. Life in Winchester under Charles I was described as we walked via the High Street to the Cathedral. When the conflict began in August 1642, we were told how Winchester was divided with one MP, William Ogle, supporting the King and the other, John Lisle on the side of the Parliamentarians. We continued via the City Cross to St.Thomas' Street to be told of the battles and eventual surrender of the castle, ending our walk appropriately on the site of the Peninsular Barracks.
On 19th July we visited the preserved Edwardian pumping station at Twyford Waterworks where our guide was Matthew Feldwick. After an introduction to the site we were shown the impressive 1914 Hathorn Davey Triple Expansion steam pump engine. The removal of asbestos from the boilers prevents operation at present, but we were invited to turn the pump by hand! We climbed to the lime kilns at the top of the site to learn about the water softening process. Finally, if you wondered what happened to the bus shelter from outside the library in Jewry Street, visit the waterworks. We were given great hospitality by our hosts and ended with tea and Vickys irresistible homemade cake.
Our eighth walk, 'Progression of the Traditional' was led by Robert Adam, starting with a walk to the cathedral close to learn about 'classical revival'. We proceeded to the High Street to study the various architectural columns and then to Market Street, dubbed 'PoMo corner' by Robert for its Post Modern architecture. In the Broadway we observed the architecture of the Guildhall before moving to the Wessex Hotel, described as 'neo-vernacular We ended by the Westgate at Elomfield corner' to compare the architecture of the Castle buildings, Queen Elizabeth Court and Mottisfont Court.
Walk nine was led by Robin Freeman who gave a detailed description of the buildings of the High Street. Starting in the Broadway, Robin gave a full account of the area including Eastgate House, St. John's House, King Alfred's Statue (and the Russian gun), Abbey House and the Guildhall. Moving west, the number of earlier premises allowed some members to recall Woolworth's and Giffords, the seed merchant. We continued to Southgate Street corner, observing Egyptian-style tapered windows by Owen Browne Carter. Our walk continued past the Black Swan and Stopher's corner, the former Star inn, and ended in the bar of the Westgate Hotel.
For our tenth walk we were led by Chris Webb to the Central Works Bus Station where we were greeted by the Chairman of the Friends of King Alfred's buses, Peter Murnaghan, and were provided with wine and nibbles. Peter described how King Alfred's Motor Services began in 1915 with Robert Chisnell transporting troops around Winchester, and more recently the formation of Friends of King Alfred's Buses in 1985. We were invited to inspect the buses in the garage and to look at the many articles and photographs on display, and to talk to several 'friends' who were present. At the end of our visit we were treated to a ride on the top deck of the AEC Renown (596 LCG) recovered from the USA. We drove past the former garages in Chesil Street to Bar End, returning via Morn Hill where the troop camps were sited. We disembarked in the Broadway after a memorable experience.
For our last walk, 'Beating the Bounds' Andrew Rutter first outlined the effect of the Silver Hill development on Middle Brook Street and the important axis from the cathedral to Park Avenue. We were then shown drawings of other proposed schemes as we were guided from Durngate to the city bridge and then around the city walls via Wolvesey, Kingsgate, Southgate and St. James'Lane. We were intrigued by the location of five iconic crosses around the city. The walk was illustrated with Andrew's inimitable drawings and we finished with novel views of the castle from the west.
Thank you to all the guides, whose knowledge and enthusiasm is so great and who have given so much time and effort in preparing and leading our walks. The weather was unseasonable but it did not deter our generous band of supporters who also deserve our thanks.