Heritage Centre - TrustNews February 1991
"I only come to help so that I can come to the meal in November." So said, laughingly, one of the stewards to the Manager. This was of course not true but the stewards last year certainly deserved the Thank-you Buffet after the closure for the winter, since they had had to put up with rebuilding work nearby, and at times Upper Brook Street was like a battlefield. Inevitably all this upheaval affected our attendances. Final figures were 993 casual visitors (against 1501 last year) but 854 in group visits which was actually an increase of 300 over last year. The City has undertaken to effect extensive repairs to the Centre this winter; it will reopen, we hope, in the Spring when these have been completed.
Although the Heritage Centre is closed for the winter it continues to be used for meetings and for group visits. In November an outstandingly successful exhibition was held - "One Lad's War Mementos the Home Front 1939-45". It was opened by the Mayor of Winchester, Councillor Mrs. Pamela Peskett. The collection of mementos was made by Mr. Rodney Youngman, and embraced everything from ration books and gas masks to a wide variety of wartime periodicals and newspapers. Although the exhibition could only be shown for one weekend it aroused great interest. In the eight hours it was open we had 127 visitors plus 33 at the special reception attended by the Mayor. Special thanks should go to Chris Webb, Rosemary Kinnaird-Smith, Joy Williams, and Phil Yates who helped in various ways.
The Centre was also used by the Friends of King Alfred Buses for the launch of a "Buy a Rivet Appeal" to raise funds for the restoration of a 1950 Leyland bus originally owned by King Alfred and recently recovered from an Irish field. The President of the Trust, Sir Peter Ramsbotham, launched the Appeal and bought the first rivet.
We are glad to report that the Centre will be getting some improved publicity this year as, for the first time, we are appearing in the Southern Tourist Board's Pride of Winchester colour leaflet. 280,000 copies are being produced, more than half of which are being paid for by British Rail and P & 0 Ferries.
The restored parapet at No.4 Eastgate Street, showing the new balusters, coping and cornice mouldings. The Trust helped to fund the completion of the pierced parapets in this round on round terrace.