Southern Comfort - TrustNews April 1986
"Southern Comfort" is the pseudonym for the informal periodic meetings of local amenity societies, of which three have taken place to date. The first, in 1983, was organised by The Chichester Society. At the second, in 1984, we were the hosts and the meeting took place in the Heritage Centre. The Portsmouth Society acted as hosts at the latest meeting, which took place on 22nd February.
The following societies were represented (approximate membership in brackets):
Bishop's Waltham Society (100)
Bosmere Hundred Society - covering Emworth, Havant Hayling Island and Waterlooville (200)
The Chichester Society (1,904)
Fareham Society (560)
Friends of Lewes (498)
Odiham Society (400)
The Portchester Society (150)
The Portsmouth Society (160)
Romsey & District Society (800)
Winchester Preservation Trust (772)
Hampshire Branch of The Victorian Society (250)
Thus, the combined membership of the groups represented was approaching 6,000. The South Wessex Area Representative of NADFAS (National Association of Decorative and Fine Arts Societies) was also present.
Views were exchanged on a variety of subjects of common interest or concern, one of the most worrying being the Government's proposals for legislative changes that would weaken the planning system (the White Paper "Lifting the Burden").
Romsey's vulnerable position, just a few fields away from North Baddesley, was graphically described and illustrated with aerial photographs. The Romsey & District Society is classifying all the pieces of land around the town in its campaign to retain Romsey's identity. Delegates felt strongly that gaps between settlements should be upheld and that land should be looked upon as a national asset.
The societies felt that they should play a greater part in determining the policy of their national body, the Civic Trust, perhaps through regional and national representation. They agreed that they should be prepared to pay an annual subscription.
As regards membership, having a financial stake in a place seemed to be the deciding factor in joining an amenity society. Young people prefer active involvement in projects. However, they are very concerned about conservation issues; and the importance of high standards in architecture and planning needs to be put across to them, as well as the case for reducing pollution and saving resources.
The link between environment and crime, being ever alert to the overwhelming demands of motor traffic, and the societies' important educational role, were all stressed as current concerns. The next conference will take place in Romsey.