Chairman's Jottings - TrustNews Dec 13
A good deal has happened since the last Trust News, first of all the AGM where we invited schools to select a pupil to read his/her poem from the book ‘Old City Young Views‘. Joy Carter, our President, then presented each young person with a copy of the book. Four teachers, one from each participating school (Kings, St Swithuns, Westgate, and Winchester College ) also attended, and I would like to thank them for organising their students and encouraging them to participate. I think the book provides a most interesting snapshot of how young people view the historic city where they live and work. Copies are available, price £10, from Wells bookshop, the Discovery Centre, Warrens and the Cathedral. In his keynote address to the AGM, Winchester’s MP Steve Brine stressed the importance of local participation and the contribution and it can give towards ‘the big society’. I should like to thank him for taking time away from his busy schedule to address us.
The second big event for us was the presentation of the City of Winchester Trust Awards for buildings completed over the last four years. There were a good number of submissions and a wide variety of different projects, from imaginative house designs, university buildings, through to a beautiful piece of artwork by Tracy Shepherd in the form of an etched plate-glass door panel, to name just three examples. I am grateful to those firms who submitted their work for judgment, realizing how much effort goes into the presentations. Thank you to Paul Appleton, a director of the distinguished firm, Allies and Morrison, who spent so much of his time leading the judging panel and then presenting the awards. Thank you also to the judging panel; I know having spoken to them that they found the experience very rewarding. The success of this event owes a huge amount to David Marklew’s organising ability and we are all greatly in his debt.
As usual there has been ongoing monitoring of various projects in and around Winchester of which I shall mention three here:
1 Silver Hill. Progress is being made and we understand that the compulsory purchase orders could be nearing completion .Running parallel to the CPOs some further work is being undertaken to the design and planning of certain elements. We look forward to seeing a presentation of the latest proposals.
2 Barton Farm. A planning application has just been submitted for the first phase of around 400 houses, together with the design code which also sets the standard for the development to come. It will be interesting to see whether all the hard work undertaken by members of the Trust in their discussions with the developer, and the design team, has a worthwhile result.
3 Station Approach. An evaluation of this run-down part of the city is being undertaken by Tibbalds, a London planning practice, to explore how this area can be improved to become a gateway into Winchester that we can be proud of. We understand that the first part of their report is about to be issued and it will be interesting to see their reaction to the Winchester City's planning department's brief for this area.
Judith Martin is organising a list of buildings that lie outside the conservation area, which it is considered may have a good reason for being listed. Judith has been conferring with both Winchester’s conservation department, and with English Heritage to help her arrive at acceptable criteria to apply. I know Judith would love some help once the scheme starts, so if there are any volunteers out there please contact the Trust's secretary.
At our last council meeting we elected two new council members, Marjorie Huntley, and Sue Owers, and I welcome them both. We also voted to invite Anthony Skinner to be elected as a Vice President. Anthony has served on the Trust committee for many years as well as having been a distinguished chairman. His contribution to the Trust's activities has been extensive and we are very grateful to him.
Last but certainly not least, lain Patton has been busy organising some sorties to interesting places. When you see these advertised please support them; they are always enjoyable and informative.