Number 135 Summer 2014

Welcome to the first edition of new style Weston View which will be published thrice yearly. We hope members of Weston Civic Society and other readers will enjoy both format and content and in order to broaden the appeal we shall include contributions from ‘ordinary’  members, quarry occupiers, artists, historians and other local environmental groups as well as from officers of the society. Voluntary societies often go through periods of change. Weston Civic Society began life as a campaigning organisation in the dark, dismal days of the early 70s, when so much damage was being wrought by a combination of low expectation and poor planning. The  Society  ‘moved  on’  when  it acquired and renovated a shop in Orchard Street and then converted an empty Wadham Street club into the highly successful Heritage Centre. Practical conservation work became a much appreciated hallmark – Grove Park walls and railings, Ellenborough Park railings, Uphill windmill, and a substantial tree planting scheme being but a few of those  ‘putting  our money  where  our  mouth  is’  projects. Weston Trust, an off-shoot (though not actually part of the society) then rescued the Blakehay from bull-dozers. The Society even moved into the world of publishing.

The next phase came with a move into the Old Town Quarry – our current home. From inception the society sought to influence decision making by offering regular comment on planning applications, even to the point of organising  some  pretty  ‘robust’  public  meetings! We are now entering another phase in the Civic Society’s  life.  We  have  lots  of  exciting  ideas  but we also want to know how YOU think we should proceed. Do please let us know.

Chairman Rosemary Dowie 01934 620006 rosemary.dowie@btinternet.com Vice-Chairman Greg Thacker 01934 627406 gregdthacker@aol.com Secretary David Agassiz 01934 620486 david.agassiz@gmail.com

Treasurer Brian Ruse 01934 626023 beruse@aol.com

Peter Barrington, Nathan Bennett, Justin Lucas, Gail Parsons, Martha Perriam, Jemma Salim

GROVE PARK CONTROVERSY Keeping fit or parking cars?

The Civic Society is adamant that Grove Park

Tennis Courts should be kept in sporting use and not

converted into an extension of the adjacent car park.

North Somerset Council is now trying to compromise

with 50:50 car park/multi-use sports area. We urge

the Diocese, which holds a restrictive covenant, not to

cave  in  to  the  Council’s  latest  wheeze.

The New Executive Committee

BOULEVARD TREE PLANTING Weston Civic Society has always been a tree

planting society. Italian Gardens, Waterloo Street,

Grove Park, Ashcombe Park, Milton Road and

many other streets have benefitted from our

committement to ‘greening ‘ the town. Six months

ago we planted replacement trees in the

Boulevard and are pleased to see how well they

are doing

Report on Civic Society members’ meetings 2013/4 by Martha Perriam

Since November 2013 the Civic Society has been holding Members’ Meetings, open to visitors and with no charge, mostly at the Museum in Burlington Street. The aim is to get us together and to

stimulate  interest  in  the  town’s  heritage  and  architecture,  and  in  preserving,  protecting and developing high standards of planning, environmental protection and architecture.

In November last we met to hear Rachel Lewis,  lead  officer  for  NSC’s  Weston Bay Beach and Dunes Management consultation exercise. Generally  speaking  we  were  pleased  with  NS’s  approach  and  felt  confident that the town is now well protected and that the promenade make-over has been really well done. The sea wall provides a 1 in 200 year standard of protection. Members were able to correct the out-of-date NS map of the beach segmentation for public use and had some

concerns about the dangers of flooding via Sand Bay.

John Crockford Hawley spoke about the past, present and future of Birnbeck Pier in January to a packed audience. In fact we had to turn people away that night. As usual he was entertaining and informative – photos make a talk so lively– but his rather sa d conclusion was that maybe the pier, in spite of the affection with which it is regarded by so

many of us, will simply crumble away soon and the island should be allowed to revert to nature.

Weston College strategy was the focus for discussion in February. Its expansion and enterprise in the last few years is amazing and the number of residences for students as well as new facilities grows apace. The College has been called in to mentor other failing educational organisations in the town and provides education in all prisons in the S. West. It has been assessed as the best performing college in the country; we of course were pleased but curious to find out how so much

had been achieved so quickly.

Steve Townsend came to tell us about the management of the Town Centre by the Town Centre Partnership in March. Private enterprise is trying to fill gaps left by cuts in local government funding it seems, providing warning systems for local businesses, street decorations and flowers. All town centre businesses contribute – but sadly there are fewer and fewer of them.

Trees were the topic for April. John Flannigan, NS Trees Officer, talked freely about his wish for the public to be vocal about its need of and love for street trees. At present NSC is planting more trees than it cuts down, but not in Weston - too expensive in town centres unfortunately! The Civic Society helped out by paying for new trees in the Boulevard area last autumn but with so many town centre buildings divided into flats where residents need the health and aesthetic benefit of street trees we feel the town centre should have priority over new estates or villages.

Cllr Elfan ap Rees addressed the meeting in May on parking problems in Weston. Brave chap! He implied that North Somerset  Council’s  long-term strategy would be to increase parking meter deployment. There was a discussion about the role of police in the enforcement of parking restrictions nationally, NS being one of very few districts where the Council  hasn’t  taken  over  responsibility  for  all  on-street enforcement. Several issues were raised by members including: 1: ALFRED STREET area where meters are little used. Cllr ap Rees offered no commitment to change the zone

2: RESIDENTS’  PERMITS. Several people pointed out in that in other towns with greater parking demand reasonably priced resident-only permits are available, but not here in North Somerset. 3: METER LOCATION. They are not deployed in other NS towns, which makes it feel like an unfair tax on Weston people. Meters are often placed in areas of greatest deprivation. 4: GROVE PARK TENNIS COURTS. Cllr ap Rees suggested a compromise (see elsewhere in Weston View) The future of Weston General Hospital with Nick Wood, CEO of the Trust provided food for thought. Members are encouraged to find out more at our forthcoming public meeting (details elsewhere in Weston View) These meetings have been very well received and we shall certainly continue them in the autumn. Have members any suggestions about topics we should be discussing next? I have a few things in mind but would welcome input from other society members.

VIEW FROM THE CHAIR

Rosemary   Dowie   writes   “In my report to members at the AGM in April I mentioned the importance of re-establishing our newsletter to provide information about meetings and events and to give reports on matters of concern to the Civic Society. This seemed to be a difficult task but thanks to John Crockford-Hawley’s  expert assistance we are able to share this first new style Weston View with you. Please support our meetings, become involved in our activities, spend time at the Old Quarry, let us know what you think of this publication and do come to the very special Awards Evening.”

LATE NEWS: Weston Town Council has voted to retain its opposition to ANY car parking on the tennis courts. It favours recreational use for the ENTIRE site. A decision to press ahead with car parking proposals or accede to local opposition rests with Cllr ap Rees and North Somerset Council, though nothing will happen if the Diocese of Bath & Wells refuses North  Somerset’s  request to lift the restrictive covenant.

WESTON ARCHAEOLOGICAL & NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY

Tuesdays 7.30pm Victoria Methodist Hall 9 Sept British Owls – Chris Sperring 14 Oct Roman & Medieval Gardens – James Bond 11  Nov  Hadrian’s  Wall  – Mark Corney 9 Dec Bridgwater Worthies – Chris Siddaway

FRIENDS OF WESTON MUSEUM 7.30 Weston Museum

3 Sept Alfred Leete – Pat Hase 22 Oct Clevedon & WW1 – Mark Neathey 13 Nov The Clarks of Street – Charlotte Berry 4 Dec (7pm) Christmas with Charles Dickens with Travelling Light Magic Lantern Company

We continue to be most concerned about Birnbeck Pier.  The  Civic  Society  believes  there’s  little hope for its future without full charitable status – only then will there be any possibility of serious funding.

Weston Civic Society has been making awards for improvements to our environment since 1983 – thirty years of recognition for Weston work done well

The Awards fall into five categories : 1 Well designed new buildings 2 Work on older buildings 3 Improvements to spaces between buildings 4 Improvements to parks 7 open spaces 5 Imaginative re-use of buildings no longer required for their original purposes. We look for schemes that make a positive contribution to our built environment, take account of neighbouring buildings and settings, use good materials, show an understanding of local character and do more than the bare minimum. Both small and large schemes are eligible.

The 2013 awards will be presented by the Mayor at a special Civic Society meeting

WEDNESDAY 1st OCTOBER 7.00pm free entry Hans Price Gallery Weston College

All members invited and do bring friends Everyone welcome Refreshments

Weston Civic Society encompasses the Town itself and also Worle, Kewstoke and Uphill. We are always

keen to follow the progress of other local bodies such as Uphill Village Society, Worle History Society,

Friends of Weston Museum, Friends of Milton Road Cemetery, Weston Archaeological & Natural History

Society, Friends of the Old Pier, Friends of Prince Consort Gardens, Shrubbery Neighbourhood Group – all

of whom hold our town in high regard

Thursday 18th September 7.30 WHITHER WESTON GENERAL?

The three NHS Trusts bidding to take over our hospital will make short presentations and answer   members’   questions.   The   decision   will  not be in the hands of local people but at least we can find out more about what to expect

Wednesday 29th October 7.30

WESTON VIEW, WESTON MERCURY & THE CIVIC

SOCIETY WEBSITE A discussion led by John Crockford-Hawley with Simon Angear, new Editor of the Mercury and Mark Bradshaw,   Civic   Society’s Web Manager

Wednesday 26th November 7.30 CAN WESTON LEAD ON RENEWABLE

ENERGY? Dr David Agassiz & Dr Richard Lawson will set out their vision of what is possible and the role

the Civic Society might play. These 3 meetings at the MUSEUM are FREE to members &

£2 for visitors. Light refreshment on sale

Weston Civic Society has in the past congratulated North Somerset Council for some of its work, but we remain highly critical where care of smaller historic buildings leaves so much to be desired eg Grove Park bandstand and Prince Consort Gardens shelter. Vandalism is too often cited as the problem, when it reality it is simply lack of programmed maintenance.

In 1937 the Bandstand was the setting for Henry Butt, Charter Mayor, to receive the  King’s  Charter  which  created  the Borough (abolished 1974). Seventy seven years later it’s   gone   to   be   repaired.   The Civic Society, Weston Trust, and Weston Town Council have put money up-front for the restoration project and at long last North Somerset Council is taking action. It will be good to have bands back where they belong ie in the Bandstand!

We also look forward to the charming 1901 shelter in Prince Consort Gardens being brought back into shape after decades of neglect. Shelters in Ashcombe Park and by Royal Sands were ruined by North Somerset Council when window frames were   removed.   So   often   it’s   these   small   buildings   which  create interest. They need to be looked after. LATE NEWS: It seems as though the excellent Somerset Wood Recycling has been brought in to help with this project and yet again Weston Town Council is stumping up some cash.

WESTON MUSEUM

If   the   Heritage   Lottery   Fund   bid   is   successful   Weston’s   Museum   will  undergo major refurbishment involving the installation of a lift, creation of new galleries & display cabinets, and improved community meeting room, shop & café. The unique wood block floor will be extended throughout the ground floor and to help defray the cost residents, organisations and local businesses are being invited to sponsor blocks. For £30 your name could be laser-engraved into the cobble and there you would remain in perpetuity! Blocks are being given as unusual birthday presents, thank-you gifts, even memorials to departed relatives, friends and pets. Pop into the Museum or Grove House for details or check buyablock@wsm-tc.gov.uk. Application forms are also at the Old Town Quarry

Weston Town Quarry : Artists and Craftspeople

As well as being home to Weston Civic Society the Old Town Quarry accommodates the delightful ROWAN TREE TEA ROOM run by David Lewis, blacksmith Nathan Bennett’s   FORGE, Lee Hofgartner’s  OAKWOOD TREE SURGERY and numerous ART STUDIOS.

There are currently thirteen artists on-site : Mike Janes (sculpture), Nathan Bennett (blacksmith), Helen Nock (garden furniture and sculpture), Sinclair Taylor (ceramics and ceramic sculpture) Sally Corney (painter and community artist), Eileen Ireland (stone carving), Alison Clayton (printmaker) Deborah Wiltshire (painter), Vicki Campbell (painter), Jack Hicks (painter), Jane Phillips (ceramics), Maureen Cope (printmaker, painter), Joan Hall (painter). Most of the artists are part of the Q ARTISTS GROUP who exhibit work twice yearly at the quarry. Although the studios are primarily work spaces they are often open to the public when visitors are welcome on an informal basis. Since 2013 Q Arts has worked hard upgrading display space and attracting local artists and artists groups to exhibit here. Speaking to Weston View the  group  said  “We raised funds to buy and erect boarding to create a professional wall-space on which to exhibit work. The boarded area was extended at the start of 2014 and from March 2014 onwards Q Arts also took on the job of marketing and managing the gallery space. We have filled all the exhibition spaces available this year, and will shortly be taking bookings for 2015. Q Arts have strong links with Weston College Arts faculty and aim to attract and support new talent as well more established artists. Gallery users have included Samaritans fund raising photography auction, local art clubs, Weston College BA degree students, individual artists, Q Arts. We also have links with North Somerset Arts and will be part of North Somerset Open Studios in May 2015. We are also planning to instigate an annual Open Submission Art exhibition for North Somerset artists. The Quarry Gallery now represents one of the largest exhibition spaces in North Somerset and Q Arts is looking forward to welcoming new and returning hirers in 2015. Anyone wishing to make an initial enquiry should contact David Lewis at the Rowan Tree Tea Room www.quarrycoffeshop@btconnect.com

PROSPECT COTTAGE A long lost view of Quarry Road (now Queen’s Road), showing Prospect Cottage (left).The picture is part of the Weston Museum Collection.

WESTON MUSEUM And  don’t  forget  to  go  along  to  the  Museum  to  see  the  current FIVE LIVES exhibition (until December) which recounts the contributions made by five local people in the First World War. Weston was something of a wartime trend setter – we   had   the   country’s   first female tram driver and the first council house.

PLANNING MATTERS

There was a time when the Civic Society offered regular comment on planning applications, though of late this has not been so. We would like to re-start this process, which  is  after  all  a   ‘bread  &  butter’  pastime  of   the  entire  civic  society  movement. In many respects planners are much better than were their 1960s/70s predecessors, though we are concerned that over-zealous cuts in local government expenditure have seen an unhealthy decrease in front-line planning  officers.  We  are  not  convinced  that  North  Somerset’s  planning  Enforcement   is  as  strong  as   it   should  be,  neither  do  we  believe  there  is  a  sufficiency  of  Conservation  staff  (one  isn’t   it?).  The  appalling  state  of  affairs in the Grade   Two   Oriel   Terrace   (opposite   St   John’s   Church),   whereby   hugely   damaging   works   have   been   seemingly  tolerated is a case in point. North Somerset Council has voted to rationalise / streamline its planning committees (do we hear alarm bells ringing?) by amalgamating 4 committees into a single entity. Where every councillor had a voice   and   vote   on   local   ‘Area’   committees   we   now   see   one   planning   committee   covering   the   whole   of   North  Somerset. Cost cutting yes, but progress?

This edition of WESTON VIEW is being sent to all members as hard copy. This is expensive in terms of paper, printing and distribution. If you have e-mail and would be happy to receive electronic copy it will save the society a lot of money, and news will reach you more quickly. If you have an e-mail address we may not necessarily be aware of it, so please send it to membership@westoncivicsoc.org.uk and we will ensure you are kept fully up-to-date with society activities and receive all future copies of Weston View.

The architectural integrity of terraces is at risk when owners/developers are allowed to

remove boundary walls or build in front gardens.

Just pop along and see the disastrous consequences in Oriel Terrace.

Such atrocities would never be tolerated in Bristol or Bath, so why here?

What about pride in our environment?

The Old Town Quarry 2004

by Judith Peasland

Weston Museum Collection

Do support our Quarry Artists

by visiting the exhibitions