SPAB AGM 2011
Continued frompage 6 people. Buildings also carried the memory of their creators and craftspeople; and they changed with owners, occupants and visitors. Some changes were thoughtless or hostile, but buildings reflected people and, sometimes, their mistakes. When approaching work to an old building it was
first necessary, he said, to consider why it was of value. In some cases, such as Siena in Italy or an unspoilt Cotswold village, introducing an element of alien form ormaterialswould be wholly out of place. Crucial questionswere “Why do we like it?” and “What is the ‘spirit of the place’?” People looked for different things fromold buildings and historic places: these might be architecture, history, craftsmanship or nostalgia.
HS2 ‘Impacts’abound Cornerstone reveals more old buildings hit by the high speed rail plan By Robin Stummer Photographs John Lawrence
Mansion House’s sensitively conserved grandeur proved the perfect setting for SPAB’s 2011 AGM
The last was a perfectly legitimate sentiment, and needed to be taken into account when considering the historic environment. It was necessary to make friends with a building, and to explore and examine it, using the eyes to observe any problems such a signs of decay. The observational process should be positive, offering the opportunity to establish what the building wanted or needed, and the possibilities it could offer. Whenwork was agreed and began, observed Sir
Donald, the first consideration was protection, such as a temporary roof, or ensuring access could be achieved without impact damage. Involvement could range frommodest, programmed care to more radical interventionswhen circumstances demanded. This had been the case at the House of Lords, when a ceiling pendant had fallen, nearly causing injury. Nevertheless, SirDonald emphasised that knowing where to stop work was vital to good conservation. In conclusion, he stressed that we should approach
each old buildingwith sympathy and understanding, using eyes, then minds, then hands, to produce a considered approach. This, SirDonald felt,was the SPAB message.He was thanked on the Society’s behalf by Guardian Jane Wade. TheAGM endedwith tea. Earlier in the day members had enjoyed a choice of
visits–to the vast storerooms of theMuseumof London,with its extraordinarymixture of finds, relics of social history andmaterial from sites across the capital. Others had a chance to see inside Charterhouse, an ancient and little-known survivorwith which the Society has long had involvement. In the afternoon members had a tour of theMansionHouse itself. MatthewSlocombe
8 Cornerstone, Vol 32, No 3 2011
DESPITE widespread opposition from local people and heritage and nature groups, and growing doubts over financial viability and economic benefits, the Government is not only pressing ahead with its plans for high-speed rail lines between London, the Midlands and the North, it has now announced the possible extension of the route to include a HeathrowAirport link
– and a further high speed line between the airport andWales, via Swindon and Bristol. The formal public
consultation period over the HS2 scheme ended on 29 July. As Cornerstone has reported in recent editions, the impact on old buildings would be grave. Despite the threat, to date the only outline of the threat to heritage is a single “desktop” survey of listed assets which are on or near the proposed
‘Impacted’: Sunflower Farm
route, and thus, in some way, “impacted”.A detailed study of the impact of the lines is now underway, ending in 2013. Government intends
construction to commence by 2019, with the London to Birmingham link open by 2026. There will be no public inquiry. On these pages and
overleaf, the SPAB’s magazine reveals a new batch of historic buildings at risk. SPAB joins Right Lines, p15
GRADE II listed manor near Chetwode, Buckinghamshire. Dating fromthe 1600s, though likely earlier. The house has a rare, projecting stone-built staircase tower. HS2 to pass less than 25mfromthe house. Present owner is John Freestone (pictured). Local heritage groups fear for its survival
HAZEL DUNLOP
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112