Southern Comfort - TrustNews Winter 1992
Michael Carden RIBA, Deputy Chairman of the Trust, reports on a meeting held at Farnham in November.
Southern Comfort is the name of an annual gathering of societies and trusts like our own, all concerned with the conservation of our towns and cities. In 1984 Chichester hosted an experimental gathering of five societies from the south of England. All who attended found the occasion a source of great comfort as we shared our problems and ambitions. When I was asked to describe the event for the press, "Southern Comfort" seemed a suitable title for my article and the name has stuck.
Our hosts
In November last year, the Farnham Society hosted a gathering of 22 societies at the Farnham Maltings. Despite the growth in numbers I am pleased to say that the event retains its original informality. I missed not having a session on the societies' respective membership and administrative arrangements as it is very useful to compare notes, but the programme could not have included more.
"Feet first - making towns and cities pedestrian friendly",br /> The day started with an encouraging talk by Francis Tibbalds, Hon Secretary of the Royal Town Planning Institute and partner in a planning and architectural practice. He reminded us that 30 years ago Colin Buchanan regarded the freedom and comfort of the pedestrian as a good guide to the civilised quality of a town. While much has yet to be done, these objectives are being more strenuously worked for, and the problems are better understood. Single minded traffic segregation for example, is no longer seen as the only answer, and the successful Dutch technique of shared streets with pedestrian priority, is gaining acceptance. Francis Tibbalds covered many other aspects of the subject, but one which seemed to have particular relevance for Winchester at present was the importance he attached to the absence of clutter. Planners, he said, may panic of the sight of open space and fill it with all manner of street furniture, which can look chaotic. In particular he stressed the need to avoid barriers across streets! He ended with a number of principles, some of which were especially memorable and worth recording:-
- think twice before using your own car.
- always hold that people come before cars.
- improve public transport.
- keep traditional thoroughfares.
- create multiple routes for pedestrians.
- keep groundscape simple.
- encourage art in public spaces.
- don't be too proud to learn.
- never, never, never, never give in!
The Maltings
After lunch in the canteen, we were shown around the Maltings. The complex was saved and is owned and run for the community by the Maltings Council, which raises money, manages the premises, continues the conversion work, arranges the bookings and lettings, all independently of though encouraged and helped by the local Authority. It is a very enviable facility including meeting rooms, theatre, dance studio, art gallery, craft workshops and many other things. Winchester should seriously consider the potential of St Thomas's Church for something similar, and ask for advice from the Farnham Maltings Council.
Unguided tour
Before the afternoon session there was just time for a gallop round the town in ad hoc groups using a thoughtfully provided mini-trail leaflet. This is a splendid idea to encourage a midday break in the fresh air with a sense of adventure - almost a treasure hunt - as one discovers a selection of the town's successes and failures and triumphantly finds ones way back just in time for the first item on the afternoon agenda.
Afternoon discussion
Our hosts chaired discussion on four well chosen subjects, each of which was enthusiastically debated. Unfortunately it is impossible to record all that was said, so it must suffice to comment briefly on how each related to Winchester.
Disposal of publicly owned land
A pen and ink drawing of St Thomas' Church, Winchester
now the Hampshire Record Office, by J.Smith, 1891
This was perhaps the most relevant with our recent experiences of the Brooks and Peninsula Barracks. All societies were indignant about the way in which such disposals are arranged without public participation. This prompted us to put forward a resolution on behalf of the Trust, which was adopted for conveyance to the Civic Trust, urging that maximum financial return should be balanced by maximum benefit to the community and the environment, and that the local community should first be consulted over the brief.
Protection for non-listed buildings
We were very greatly encouraged to learn of the success achieved by other societies through the use of "Article 4 Directions", (special planning powers for areas under threat), particularly in Reading, and we should seek their advice in our current campaign to prevent the degradation of Winchester's humbler architectural heritage by the use of plastic windows and the like.
Local Plans and Appeal Enquires
We were also very interested in the potential for combining with other societies in order to monitor and make representations concerning Local Plans. This debate led to the adoption of a second resolution put forward by the President of the Yately Society, Edward Dawson, asking the Civic Trust to explore the formation of County based groupings of amenity societies to act in consort in response to structure plans and so forth.
Local Museums
There was little time for this topic but we were pleased to note how well we are served compared with some other towns. We should not take our good fortune for granted.
The Civic Trust
A third resolution was put forward following a report from Celia Clark of the Portsmouth Society that shortage of funds had forced the Civic Trust to abandon two of its most important activities: the excellent "Heritage Outlook" magazine, and the Education Department with its invaluable work among schools and young people. We were disturbed that the decisions had been taken without reference to the many societies which are affiliated and pay subscriptions to the Civic Trust. The resolution asked for alternative measures to be explored.
Continuing comfort
The day ended with unanimous thanks to the Farnham Society for such a well organised, enjoyable and thought-provoking day, and to the Salisbury Society for announcing that it would host next year's meeting. This is the way with Southern Comfort, no rules, no standing committees, no officers, just an invitation from another society inspired to continue the tradition.