Heritage Centre - TrustNews Summer 1994
The New Year heralded the likelihood of much increased interest in the future of Peninsula Barracks. It was therefore arranged that the Heritage Centre should be open every Saturday to display not only the low-density Conservation Scheme supported by the Trust but also the earlier high-density scheme for the Lower Barracks approved by the City Council in 1993. A petition supporting the Conservation Scheme was signed by the many visitors to the Centre.
In February the former Manager of the Centre, Alan Cooke, produced a series of photographs of Winchester taken from unusual angles. From this, the idea of an identification quiz was taken up by another former Manager of the Centre, Tony Hunter, and the Hampshire Chronicle. The newspaper ran the photographs for six successive weeks and the editor, Steve Robinson, kindly presented the prizes at the Heritage Centre in April. So great was the response that the Hampshire Chronicle may well run a further competition.
Also in February, the Winchester City Guides used the Heritage Centre as the headquarters for their "International Day of the Guide" when tourist guides from all over the world promote their expertise by providing free tours.
We are most grateful to Rodney Youngman, who came virtually direct from his hospital bed to set up the year's main exhibition on "Winchester at War", as the Heritage Centre's contribution to Winchester's activities to commemorate D-Day in 1944. The exhibition was officially opened by Viscount Montgomery (Monty's son) on 20 May in the presence of the Mayor of Winchester and the President of the Preservation Trust, Sir Peter Ramsbotham. In his speech, Viscount Montgomery reminded us of the sombre days of 1944 and of the sacrifices made for peace in Europe, and asked us to encourage young people to visit the exhibition.
After presentations to Viscount Montgomery, Lady Montgomery and to Mr Youngman, the party left the Heritage Centre in a 1931 bus of the former King Alfred Bus Company.
Administratively we have seen some changes. The Heritage Centre Manager, Joy Williams, is leaving Winchester and has handed over the task to George Burnett. Joy has been involved with the Heritage Centre since its inception; we shall miss her enthusiasm and her ability to achieve the impossible in the shortest of timescales, and we thank her very much for all she has done for us.
Sadly John Balchin, who for many years ran the book sales in aid of our funds, died in April. John's widow, Eunice, has very kindly said that she will continue the sales, so please get out those unwanted books and bring them to the Heritage Centre in time for the autumn sale.
Rosemary Kinnaird-Smith has been making steady progress with the Resources and History section, so that we are becoming better equipped to answer queries about the history and the more recent development of the City.
We have applied for a renewal of the lease of the Heritage Centre from the City Council on an annual basis, and we would like to encourage more of our Winchester-based members and their guests to visit us to see the exhibitions and learn about the work of the Trust.
After the "Winchester at War" exhibition closes at the end of September, we will be putting on an exhibition in October to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Chartered Institute of Transport - a further example of a local organisation using the Heritage Centre to show the work of their members in all facets of transport that contribute to the daily life of our City. Do you know how many locomotives, ships, and aircraft bear the name "Winchester"?