Book Launch: - TrustNews December 09
Andrew Rutter’s Winchester - Heart of a City
Andrew Rutter, as many of you will know, was Conservation Officer for Winchester City Council from 1974-1999. He probably more than anybody knows the City, not only in broad terms but also in detail as a result of having studied so many of its buildings over so many years. Andrew’s love of Winchester is obvious from the book and we hope that it will be a reference for all those who have to make decisions with regard to planning, development and landscaping in and around the City.
The book launch on the evening of 6th November was a great success. It marked the culmination of many months of work for many people and in addition resulted in a pleasing number of book sales.
Judge Christopher Clarke, President of the Trust, gave a witty and lucid summing up of the book’s gestation period. Not only that but I am sure he managed to boost the book sales by his persuasive judgement of its importance to Winchester. Mrs Clarke told me afterwards that he had quietly disappeared one evening and read through most of the book so that he could speak knowledgeably about its contents.
Afterwards the author was kept fully occupied for the whole evening in signing - so much so that I know some of us were concerned he might suffer from repetitive strain injury!
Lisbeth Rake did a marvellous job as our publicity advisor together with her husband who organized the drinks for the evening. I was reprimanded for forecasting that many would consume soft drinks when in fact much of the wine was drunk and little of the orange juice - no wonder the evening was a success!
Richard Baker together with the Discovery Centre Manager carried out all the behind the scenes work with great efficiency which is why the proceedings went so smoothly. Many thanks too to James Lunn-Rockliffe who took responsibility for the digital photograph projection which acted as a backcloth to the evening. Last a big thank you to everyone (approximately 130) including many members of the Trust who turned up to support Wells Publishing at the launch.
Winchester: Heart of a City is published and distributed by P & G Wells, 11 College Street, Winchester (01962 852016 pgwells@btconnect.com) Price £35 (plus £5 if you would like it mailed to any UK address).