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Basingstoke Heritage Society
News for Members no 81
October 2009
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HERITAGE OPEN DAY
Heritage Open Day on 13 September was a great success with about 380 people attending during the day. We were delighted to receive this comment from the Mayor of Basingstoke and Deane, Cllr Brian Gurden:
“The heritage society demonstrated yet again its ability to thrill a good audience with insights into Basingstoke’s fascinating past and to weave a story about the characters and families that played such an important part in shaping where we are today”
A group of 3 enthusiastic WW1 re-enactors came as British, French and Belgian soldiers and aroused a lot of interest. Children were able to follow the children’s tree trail and the trail around the cemetery dug a little at least into the history of the town.
Mrs Blunden is buried alive!
Drama amateurs, the Proteans put on a potted history of Basingstoke, which ranged from fire, plague and the medieval through to the modern day, not forgetting the burial of Mrs Blunden and the Massagainian Riots.
A talk about the ruins of the two chapels by Bill Fergie, Chairman of the Hampshire Buildings Preservation Trust was very well attended twice on the day as was a short presentation by Barbara Applin on Basingstoke wills,19th century funerals and the local firms who arranged them. Many society members together with members of the Archaeological and Historical Association and the Friends of the Willis and NADFAS all worked on this project and it was thanks to their hard work that the day was so successful.
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Other Matters
=>South View - The secretary attended the Economic Prosperity and Performance Overview committee and was one of those able to address the committee, calling for more open space. This was in response to development proposals for land owned by the council (former allotment land south of Lyford Road and Vyne Meadow car park).
=>Historic Plaques - some of our plaques are in need of some tlc so we hope to do some work on them.
=>Civic Trust Initiative - there is a move to provide a new organisation to replace the Civic Trust which failed earlier this year. We are keeping in touch with developments as it is a benefit to us to be under the umbrella of a nationwide organisation.
=>Brook House panelling - if you have passed through Alençon Link recently, you will have seen the sorry half-demolished state of Brook House. Earlier this year stories about panelling, which enhanced the boardroom of these former headquarters of local builders H N Edwards, were going the rounds. Was it panelling from the old brewery house? Or from ‘old’ Brook House in Brook Street? Was it even older, perhaps – re-cycled in the 17th century after the fall of Basing House? It had been vandalised in recent years as Brook House has become more and more derelict but thanks to the efforts of the Brookvale Association, Bewley Homes (the new owners of Brook House) agreed to remove the panelling and deliver it to Brookvale Community Hall where it now is.
=>34 London Street - the sign on this new business was put up without any consent and in breach of guidelines for the conservation area. Thankfully an application has now been made for a more appropriate sign.
=>Lemonland and the Lilly building - you will know that the council after 2 long meetings devoted solely to this application finally turned down the proposal. Although the society’s view was not to oppose this development, later changes meant that there was a severe lack of open space and very tiny gardens. Our concern about the Lilly building remains – with only local list protection, it could face demolition.
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All members are welcome to attend meetings of the society.
At most meetings we consider planning applications which fall within the area of concern to the society and agree comments.
Next meetings - November 5 and December 3 at Queen Mary’s College (go in at the main entrance and reception will guide you to the room) at 7.30.
For further information contact Debbie Reavell on 01256 473390
or by e-mail
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