Heritage Centre - TrustNews Spring 1994
The "Cathedral Characters" exhibition, which was the Heritage Centre's principal and popular contribution to the "Winchester 900" celebrations, closed at the end of September 1993. The exhibition photographs have been donated by the Heritage Centre to the cathedral records. We were delighted to be approached by the Winchester branch of the Royal Air Force Association who wished to commemorate not only 75 years of the RAF, but also the Association's 50th anniversary of helping retired airmen and women.
The exhibition was opened by the Mayor in October, and distinguished visitors included Donald Heald, who took part in the famous Dambusters raid, and Air Marshal Sir John Whitley. Sir John was involved in a fatal crash at Worthy Down before the war which was illustrated in the display. It is sobering to think that in pre-war days there were over 1400 personnel at Worthy Down, which was a major bomber station.
Hopefully, we can persuade Gordon Goodier, who masterminded the exhibition, to re-run a version of "Winchester Wings" during two weekends in Spring 1994. This whole project was an excellent example of a local organisation making use of the Heritage Centre to show its contribution to the life of Winchester.
In November and December 1993. a series of fund-raising events was held. This included a successful sale of books organised by John and Eunice Balchin. an exhibition of 19th century lace organised by Rosemary Kinnaird-Smith using her skills derived from her professional capacity as Textile Conservator to the County Museum Service, and a plant sale organised by Joy Williams.
The usual half-term quiz for students, to test their knowledge of the City and to make them aware of the Trust and the Heritage Centre, was organised by Tony Hunter and sponsored by McDonalds. This proved to be more popular than ever.
The sale of Trust Christmas cards went well, and we are grateful to Jeffrey Smith for selecting the Trust's card and to Colin West-Watson for organising the sale of the cards in the Guildhall.
Tasks in 1994 for the Heritage Centre Management Committee include the completion of the "Winchester Today" room of the permanent exhibition, and setting up a resources area for publications to support the Trust leaflet"Keep your house in good order...."
On 1st April 1994 the 50th anniversary of D-Day will be marked in the Heritage Centre by the opening of an exhibition on "Winchester at War - The Home Front". Publicity for this event, mounted by Geraldine Buchanan, has already elicited enquiries from the United States!
Negotiations are in progress to put on a transport exhibition in Autumn 1994 to celebrate the ships, locomotives and aircraft that carry the name "Winchester".
Sadly, Jeffrey Smith, one of the small group who, with the late Frank Chippindale, originally conceived the idea of a Preservation Trust-sponsored urban studies or heritage centre, and was responsible for the listing of the building and subsequent negotiations with the City Council, has decided to step down from the Heritage Centre Management Committee. We are most grateful to him for his work, and delighted that he has accepted Honorary Membership of the Committee.