Finding the Heart of the City - TrustNews September 11
How does the Trust broaden its appeal to more Wintonians? This was the challenge we decided to take on to mark the first national Civic Day which was held on 25 June this year.
Our activities centred on The Heart of the City Awards - an open competition, aimed at engaging the general public of Winchester in issues the Trust holds dear, and attracting hundreds of entries from around the city.
A partnership with the Hampshire Chronicle ensured we received maximum and prominent coverage in the city’s favourite newspaper at no cost to the Trust.
The idea was simple – ask the public to nominate their favourite Winchester buildings in a range of categories and then vote again on the shortlist to find which of these buildings make up the Heart of the City – a true reflection of public opinion.
Some winners were obvious. Was Winchester Cathedral ever NOT going to win the Amazing Ancients category? Nevertheless it was run close by the Hospital of St Cross. The popular Discovery Centre was shortlisted in Design Delights and won in Creative Contemporaries. The redeveloped Peninsula Barracks estate was voted the favourite Design Delight, and the much-loved and unique bookshop P&G Wells in College Street was a decisive winner of the Hidden Histories category.
A well-attended awards ceremony was held at Abbey House on 25 June to mark Civic Day itself, with representatives from nearly all the shortlisted buildings in attendance. The awards were announced by the Mayor Cllr Barry Lipscomb, who is also a member of the Trust council.
The winners all received framed certificates signed by Civic Voice president Griff Rhys Jones. Prizes in the draw open to all who contributed votes included dinner and a night’s stay at the Old Vine and a meal at La Place, kindly donated by the proprietors.
Trust secretary Vicky Feldwick, who organised the competition, says: “Around 350 people voted which is great for a new competition. We did wonder if the Cathedral was going to win, because the Hospital of St Cross was running neck and neck with it, but the Cathedral put on a spurt right at the end.”
She adds: “We’re hoping that this will make architects look at what they’re designing and that they’ll come up with something that people really like.”
It is hoped that we may be able to run the competition again in a few years’ time. Vicky also notes there has been a noticeable increase in enquiries and new members to the Trust since the competition began.
The results in full
| Amazing Ancients Winner: Winchester Cathedral. Shortlisted: The Great Hall; The Hospital of St Cross; St John’s Church; The Westgate |
Creative Contemporaries Winner: Discovery Centre. Shortlisted: Canister House, Jewry Street; Hampshire Record Office; Lanterns Centre, Bereweeke Road; Trinity Centre, Durngate. |
| Design Delights Winner: Peninsula Barracks. Shortlisted: Theatre Royal; Discovery Centre; Pagoda House, St James’ Lane; Theatre Royal; Winchester School of Art. |
Hidden Histories Winner: P&G Wells Bookshop. Shortlisted: Chesil Theatre; God Begot House (ASK restaurant); St James’ Cemetery, Romsey Road; St John’s House, The Broadway. |
Winners being photographed with the Mayor