New Publications - TrustNews Spring 1999
Winchester City and its Setting. Produced by 'Landscape Design', Available from the Jewry Street, Local History library.
Winchester by Tom Beaumont James. published by BT Batsford/English Heritage. 1999 A new chronology that highlights some of the less obvious features.
Summer Walks 1998 - TrustNews Spring 1999
Summer Walk Group
Most Trust Members will know that the 1998 Season of Summer Walks – which ended in mid-August – was the best ever. As one particularly generous lady remarked, "Thursdays since the 13th of August just haven't been the same".
I think the reason for the popularity of the Summer Walks has been a combination of favourable circumstances. Firstly, the amazingly reliable weather: well, it would have been sad indeed if we had had a repeat of 1997. Secondly, the continuing quality and variety of our specialist Walk Leaders. I must thank them all for their generous agreement to lead us "regular walkers". As you know, some of the Leaders, like Andrew Rutter, Richard Baker, Huw Thomas and Michael Carden are perennial fixtures in the Walks Calendar. They are extremely good at their respective specialities and I hope that they will agree to continue to lead walks into the future. Some leaders have resumed from successful walks in previous years and have unsurprisingly been equally effective in better weather conditions. I am thinking in particular of Colin Burden of Plincke Landscape, John Townsend of Winchester City Council, Tom James of King Alfred's College and Patrick Maclure of the Friends of Winchester College.
We had an especially rewarding evening from one of our new leaders. James Webb, the new Hampshire County Council Historic Buildings Officer was really quite provocative and perhaps surprisingly "modern" in his interpretation of many of Winchester's elements of townscape. A third reason for the walks success was the solid support of a considerable number of Trust Members. Of course, the walks are open to all comers, but a reliable caucus of evening enthusiasts goes a long way towards making a walk enjoyable, educational and fun. One of the Preservation Trust's aims is to widen a person's appreciation of Winchester's unique cultural and historical heritage. The Heritage Centre has always been at the heart of this mission, but with its temporary closure, the Summer Evening Walks are one way of allowing the process to continue.
OBITUARY - TrustNews Spring 1999
Lieutenant-Colonel George Parry Burnett 1921-1998
George Burnett died on 14th December aged 77 after a short illness. He joined the Council of the Trust in 1986 after his interest in planning matters was aroused by a decision to build a motorway interchange on the tennis court of his former home in Surrey. Subsequently he chaired the Development Control Committee of the Winchester Preservation. Trust and was also a member of the Town Planning Committee. in 1994 he took over from Joy Williams the onerous task of managing the Heritage Centre until its closure in 1997. it was a very busy and time-consuming post and involved organising the stewards' roster, making running repairs to the building, checking the day's takings and dealing with a myriad of enquires from members of the Trust, school parties and the many visitors to the Centre. This he accomplished with his usual aplomb, dry sense of humour and his exceptional organisational skills.
George was commissioned into the Scots Guards on 13th May 1941. On 20th April 1942 he joined 2nd Battalion of that Regiment serving in the Western Desert. On the 14th June that year he was captured by Rommel's Afrika Corps and spent the rest of the war as a prisoner in various camps in Central Europe. From here, as he used to say 'he watched the Allies blitz from the cheap seats!'. After the war he returned to duty and saw service in the Middle East, Kenya and Malaya. After a tour of duty with the Guards Parachute Company he was appointed to command 2nd Battalion Scots Guards. Subsequently he had various staff appointments in the United Kingdom, Washington and Paris.
He was a well-known figure in Winchester accompanied by his very large Alsatian, Jackson (Jake). His American-born wife, Natalie, pre-deceased him. He is survived by his son and two step-daughters, to whom we send our sympathy. George and his wit will be sadly missed by all who knew him.
Diary Dates - TrustNews Spring 1999
Book Sale: Saturday 20th March, 9am - 3pm, St Maurice's Covert
The previous book sale organised by Jo Gordon-Watson raised the excellent sum of £370 for the Trust. Many thanks to Jo and all those who helped.
AGM: Monday 1st November, The Guildhall. Details later.
Membership - TrustNews Spring 1999
View from West Hill Cemetery, drawn by Nick McPherson
Subscriptions for 1999/2000 fall due on 1st May 1999.
As notified in the last newsletter the rates of subscription are:
Single £8.00
Family / Household £12.00
Corporate £15.00
Junior £5.00
Life Single £100.00
Life Family £120.00
Those members aged 65 or over who wish to continue their subscription at the previous rate may do so.
New Members
The Trust welcomes the following new members who joined in 1998:
Mrs R A Cursons
Mrs G Dowson
Mr and Mrs T Jones
Ms C A Macintosh RIBA
Mrs M North
Mrs S J W Scott
Miss B Selby
Mr and Mrs.J A R Spratley
Mrs M Waldron
Mr and Mrs C G Walker
Mrs M E Wilkinson