INDEX interview
Philip Whitbourn The Index VIP*
A former chief architect for English Heritage and adviser on World Heritage sites, Tunbridge Wells-based Dr Philip Whitbourn, OBE, is a pioneer in the protection of our architectural heritage, at both national and local level
Have you always appreciated old buildings? Yes, I grew up in Sevenoaks and used to cycle around and admire local churches and mediaeval and Victorian architecture. I eventually trained and worked as an architect for 10 years before coming full circle and returning to my first love: the history of architecture. I became a conservation architect for the GLC, and the responsibility was later transferred to English Heritage.
How does an architect protect old buildings? I was often called to be an Expert Witness at Public Inquiries into proposals affecting historic buildings. The Natural History Museum was one where they wanted to demolish seven galleries that were Grade I Listed. The National Gallery Inquiry into the 'carbuncle' new Sainsbury Wing was another. I was involved in issues such as lead corrosion and gave technical advice regarding the proper treatment of historic buildings. My time at the GLC was fascinating – it had elected members and six advisory members including Sir John Betjeman, who was a colourful character! After working for English Heritage I went to the International Council of Monuments and Sites for what I thought would be two years, but in fact I worked there until I was 70 because it was so interesting. I was involved in all the UK
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World Heritage Sites – including Stonehenge, Bath and Canterbury.
Do you still get asked for expert advice?
I’m Vice President of the Kent Federation of Amenity Societies, and they like me to comment periodically. I do end up giving quite a lot of talks to various people. I’m giving one on Decimus Burton to Tunbridge Wells Civic Society next
and Rusthall Common newsletter on local buildings, together with a drawing. The
Homoeopathic Hospital is a recent one I’ve written on, for example. This building faces an uncertain future and is a current worry.
Do you use computer-aided design to help you draw?
No! Nowadays perhaps you don't need to be able to draw, but in my day it was a skill you had to have. I think everyone can be taught to draw, although some people have a natural flair for it. I'm a laboured sketcher – it’s more of a painstaking process. I fuss about the details, whereas
“What do I think of ultra- modern buildings? Not a lot!”
February and this October I’ll be discussing Tunbridge Wells artist Charles Tattershall Dodd, who is buried at Woodbury Park Cemetery, at a meeting of the Friends of Woodbury Park Cemetery. I’ve written a booklet, Where They Lived in Tunbridge Wells, about various people who are buried there [available through The Friends of Woodbury Park Cemetery at
www.fwpc.org.uk]. They include Jane Austen's brother and William Willicombe, the local 19th-century developer, designer and Town Commissioner.
What else do you write? I’m the author of several books on architects and architecture, and on a smaller scale I regularly do a little article for the Friends of Tunbridge Wells
some people just do a quick doodle and it's very good.
You seem to be very involved in the community Yes, sometimes more than I intend to be! Two years ago, I took part in Jon Oram’s musical community play, The Vanishing Elephant. It was set in two periods: late Victorian Tunbridge Wells and the First World War, and I ended up training my moustache to turn up at the ends to play my kinsman, four- times Tunbridge Wells Mayor, Cllr Charles Whitbourn Emson. I've never done anything like that before and it was tremendous fun.
As a member since 1959 of what’s today known as Tunbridge Wells Civic
Society, how
do you feel about plans for the Civic Centre?
I have been rallying support to protect the buildings from commercial exploitation. This is the civic and cultural heart of the historic town of Royal Tunbridge Wells and these are Listed buildings with Art Deco features, situated within a Conservation Area.
What do you think of ultra modern buildings? Not a lot! I regard The Shard as an ego trip for someone and I certainly wouldn't want to live on the top floor, even if I had the millions required. I think that Sir William Whitfield’s Richmond House fits comfortably into Whitehall, though, and I like Sir Michael Hopkins' Portcullis House, near Big Ben.
And what’s your favourite local building?
There are so many I love – Trinity, the Church of King Charles the Martyr – but I couldn’t imagine Tunbridge Wells without the green domes of The Opera House. It’s a brilliant example of an Edwardian theatre, with its interior still largely intact, and because these days it’s better known as a pub, anyone can pop in and experience its wow factor.
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www.indexmagazine.co.uk
*Very Interesting Person
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