Number 136
Spring 2015
Civic Society’s new programme welcomed
The Civic Society’s programme of regular public meetings is proving to be very popular with members and visitors, and our more informal monthly Saturday gatherings over coffee in the town centre are also becoming quite a draw. Things really are on the up! Such a pity one of these meetings had to be cancelled at very short notice following a last-minute pull out by the two speakers.
Civic Society’s position on Winter Gardens proposal We are proud of our College’s successes and support the notion of expanding Further Education in the town centre. We have not taken a position on the proposed use of the Pavilion, though wish to be assured of continued public access to events in the ballroom. We support plans to restore the front façade and remain open-minded on the principle of a new façade facing the Town Square, though will be looking critically at plans as they are published. We regard the Town Square & Italian Gardens as inviolable public open space but would like to see a more logical arrangement of this land (though accept this is not a College responsibility). We have said and continue to say that both College and more particularly Council have failed to engage with the public, a situation made worse when both institutions pulled out of our Blakehay meeting, having taken umbrage when we accused North Somerset Council of treating the public “with contempt”. To-date the Council has still not met with any community group to discuss any aspect of the Winter Gardens’ disposal, merely saying we’ll all be able to have our say when a planning application is submitted (of course we will – that’s the law!) but it’s now too late for consultation on the principle of disposal. That Blakehay meeting would have been the ideal opportunity for both parties to explain their case and they fluffed it.
Beach Huts The Society’s Planning Group meets regularly to look at planning applications and where appropriate sends comments to the planners.
Join us on an April Ramble to Brean
Marine Lake’s former beach huts
The Civic Society believes the principle of making beach huts available for hire on the seafront is worth trying for a trial period to ascertain financial viability, sustainability and public reaction. Their installation on the former Marine Parade raised band stand seems reasonable. However we believe their location at the southern end of the prom’ is not acceptable because they will block the view for those who use the prom’ for walking and admiring the views across to Wales. Gaps left for those using the seats is not a solution. The prom’ is on occasions closed for events which generate major revenue for the town. Their presence will prevent spectator observation. Of course this could be eliminated by temporary removal of the huts but that might then anger those who’ve hired them. Peter Barrington, Peter Downs and Tina Speake keep the Society’s watching brief on planning applications
Civic Society Accounts At the AGM (Tuesday 14 April at the Old Town Quarry) accounts will be presented for the period ending 31 Dec 2014 (following a change in the constitution the accounts are for 10 months instead of 12). They show a deficit of £3,177 for the year compared with one of £9,829 the previous year, leading to a closing balance of £181,348. A correction to the previous year’s accounts is made since the figure for projected income from investments was found to be incorrect. These figures have still to be checked by an independent examiner
Join us on an introductory walk along the route of the planned WALK / CYCLE PATH from Westonsuper-Mare to Brean. We shall start from Royal Sands at 9.30am on Friday 10th April and ramble for 5¼ miles to Brean. The walk will be led by John Grimshaw CBE founder of SUSTRANS, the national cycle network. On behalf of North Somerset Council John has negotiated permission from landowners, caravan park owners and the Environment Agency to create this route and a planning application has been approved by neighbouring Sedgemoor District Council. When the path is complete it will provide an important addition to the NATIONAL COASTAL PATH and an exciting new opportunity for residents and visitors to both Weston and Burnham-on-Sea. If anyone would like to book a seat on the Civic Society’s return coach from Brean Cove Café to Weston at 1pm please send a cheque for £5 made out to “Weston Civic Society” and a SAE to the Brean Walk Organiser, 3 Glebe House, 80 Upper Church Road, Weston-super-Mare BS23 2AE before 31st March. Tickets will be issued on a first come first served basis
CIVIC SOCIETY PROGRAMME FUTURE of the TROPICANA Cllr Tony Lake Blakehay Thurs 26th Feb 7.30pm bar open from 7pm
RENDEZVOUS Love’s Café Sat 14th March 11am
POLICE & CRIME COMMISSIONER Sue Mountstevens Museum Wed 18th March 7.30pm coffee & tea on sale
BREAN LINK WALK Meet Royal Sands Fri 10th April 9.30am Bookable return coach
RENDEZVOUS Love’s Café Sat 11th April 11am
A.G.M Old Town Quarry Tues 14th April 7.30pm coffee on sale
To find out more about the Brean Link Cycle & Walk proposals simply “Google” johngrimshawassociates.co.uk for fascinating pictures, plans and information Success or otherwise of the Museum’s Heritage Lottery Fund bid will be known in March
FUTURE of the RNLI In Weston Dr Glyn Hayes Wed 22nd April 7.30pm coffee & tea on sale alternative venue will be announced if the Museum has closed
The Civic Society’s well attended RENEWABLE ENERGY meeting led by Dr David Agassiz and Dr Richard Lawson produced lively audience participation. Financially profitable and environmentally sound energy could be produced from solar panels set above the Old Town Quarry’s cliff face, and though some trees would need to be felled nothing would be seen above the sky line. More detailed analysis and discussion with interested parties, including the Council and nearby residents will take place before any substantive plans are produced.
ROWAN TREE TEA ROOM The Quarry Coffee Shop opened in 2009 and in 2012 adopted its current name after the planting of a Rowan tree in memory of popular tree surgeon Andrew Thorne. It is operated by David Lewis, who began working with the Civic Society as a volunteer driver in 1992 and over the years has been Recycling Project Manager, care-taker at the Heritage Centre and Blakehay Theatre, and currently manages the quarry’s natural open space. NEW GREEN AWARD Rowan Tree Tea Rooms were nominated as GREEN BUSINESS OF THE YEAR in the Weston Business Awards 2015, making it into the top three “Highly Commended”. Nominees had to “demonstrate an active commitment to good environmental practice and sustainable development”. Congratulations to David
This winter has seen customer growth - almost to summer proportions - and David has just installed a superb new coffee machine
latte cappuccino espresso americano macchiato mocha hot chocolate and all the usual teas and tasty home-cooked hot / cold meals. Fairtrade & World Land Trust products Originally used by local villagers, the Town Quarry was extensively worked during the 19th century to produce stone for the building of the Victorian town. Quarrying ceased in the 1950s. During the 1980s Weston Civic Society persuaded the local authority to grant a lease on the site since when it has become a place to relax, enjoy nature, visit the small quarry history exhibition, browse and purchase local art exhibits, discuss metalwork needs with resident blacksmith Nathan Bennett or tree surgery requirements with Lee Hofgartner and of course partake of Rowan Tree Tea Room refreshment.
OLD TOWN QUARRY OPENING TIMES Bring the kids – they’ll love it Car park … No 4 bus route … or walk! Wed-Sun 10.30am-4pm February Closed 2-17 March (blacksmith & tree surgeon remain open but please phone)
Re-opens 17 March Tue-Sun 10.30am-4.30pm
CIVIC SOCIETY JANUARY MEETING THREE HISTORIANS Any Questions with John Crockford-Hawley, Howard Smith and Pat Hase A meeting was held at the Museum where the panel gave an informal look back at the history of the town.
John Crockford-Hawley recounted numerous schemes that were planned which never took place and asked the question how Weston would now look if these various schemes had come to fruition. Brunel originally planned to bring the railway into town and out along the seafront but locals feared steam engines would frighten the horses! The Brean Down harbour scheme would have made Weston a major international sea port. John mentioned various other plans for grandiose building projects that were either watered down or never happened. Howard Smith carried on the theme but this time with a project which did happen and had a major influence on Weston’s future: the 1883 seafront scheme. He discussed the project’s removal of sand dunes and construction of the esplanade along with Beach Road and described, from original accounts, complaints about lack of public involvement in the proposals. These tales show how disappointments about more recent proposals are nothing new! Pat Hase made the case that much interest is to be obtained by investigating the people linked to local history. Even studying a single road can expose fascinating stories and in this respect local newspapers are a first-rate source of information. Audience questions were answered in a humorous and informative manner. Topics ranged from the effect limited water supplies had on development and the old Weston Airport which 78 years ago was the second busiest in England. With the benefit of hindsight we were able to see how the Council’s refusal to purchase the redundant airport when the aircraft industry closed down left Weston bereft of substantial capital gain. Housing began to encroach upon Weston Woods in the 1930s until ratepayer demand persuaded the Council to purchase the remaining land and keep it as public open space in perpetuity. Historically the town representatives were always under pressure from the local population (to spend or not to spend), though being truly local were more receptive than today’s (District) councillors who come from a much wider area. Looking back public opinion was frequently misguided and sometimes prevented beneficial changes as with the proposal by Royal Life Assurance (builders of the Sovereign Centre) to re-landscape the Town Square & Italian Gardens into a more cohesive public open space and at no cost to the public purse. It was interesting to hear that the location of Weston Hospital, Fire Station, Ambulance Station and Police Vehicle Depot were all located on planned new roads which, apart from Herluin Way, never materialised. Some famous town residents got a mention: John Cleese even has a trail to follow. Bob Hope’s grandfather helped build the seafront wall; John Lewis founded a famous departmental store, and Roald Dahl was a pupil at St Peter’s Prep School (site now covered by St Peter’s Avenue and St Matthew’s Close). Entertainment was provided to townsfolk and visitors by several theatres and cinemas – all in a pretelevision and pre-internet age. Martha Perriam, who chaired the session, thanked the speakers and audience for their participation in an informative and highly enjoyable meeting.
These two characters are 1870s Weston Policemen Pictures courtesy Weston Museum
To find out about MODERN POLICING in WESTON do come with friends & neighbours to the Museum on Wednesday 18th March 7 for 7.30pm Police & Crime Commissioner SUE MOUNTSTEVENS
MEETING with PLANNING CHIEF Following the aborted Civic Society public meeting called to discuss town centre regeneration & Winter Gardens issues, David Turner, North Somerset Council’s Director of Environment & Development invited four Civic Society Executive Committee members into the Town Hall to mull over ways in which the Society might be able to play a more pro-active role in helping to shape town centre regeneration plans.
Some Past Views of the TOWN SQUARE & ITALIAN GARDENS
Town Hall 1861 and Hans Price’s later clocktower
Though Mr Turner doesn’t believe largescale public meetings are the right way to consult he is very keen to engage with Civic Society members at lower-key level consultation. The Society has done much to campaign for and encourage progressive policy making within the Council, particularly in relation to Conservation Areas, heritage awareness, window replacements, shop front design, street furniture, tree planting and urban landscaping (though our views do from time to time fall on deaf ears and of course there is always the political versus professional Town Hall element with which to contend). We look forward to the evolution of a new and constructive phase in mutual understanding and co-operation.
Disused police cells underneath the Town Hall Nominations for occupation gratefully received !
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING There can be no bigger turn-off than the juxtaposition of three simple letters; A+G+M, but such gatherings are an essential requirement of organisations and particularly for those which have substantial membership, own property, employ people, hire out facilities, and have funds to administer with prudence. Much has taken place these past twelve months to bring the Society’s financial matters up to scratch and with a brace of chartered accountants on the Executive Committee we are now confident that all procedures are operating as they should. The Executive Committee has worked tirelessly to re-establish members’ regular meetings and the College’s Hans Price building together with the Museum and Loves Café have become popular meeting venues (our thanks to Dr Paul Phillips, Weston Town Council’s ever-helpful Museum staff and the friendly faces in West Street). Should the Museum’s Heritage Lottery Fund bid be successful we will need to find an alternative meeting place for about 18 months from April. We are now engaging with planners - inspecting planning applications and commenting where appropriate - and look forward to making positive contributions to the town centre improvement discussions. Our annual distribution of awards for good quality development continues to attract a positive response from hoteliers, business people and private citizens. We are green and practically so; trees continue to be planted by the Society, but of course we could always plant more. Our previous style Weston View was always perfectly presented but this new format is somewhat less formal and more easily digested – and is available on-line (yes, it can even be read in Australia!) The Old Town Quarry – our home – attracts growing attention and with it comes oft delivered praise. The varied uses to which the quarry is put helps enormously to create the right atmosphere: Civic Society’s head office, meeting place, Tea Room, forge, tree surgery, artists’ workshops, museum, Christmas Tree sales point, compost pound, and of course a superb nature reserve. Above everything the hints of uncertainty and even animosity which surfaced over a year ago have now disappeared as we all work closely together for the Society’s general benefit, and thereby for Weston’s benefit. Nominations for Chairman, vice-Chairman, hon. Secretary, hon. Treasurer and six Executive Committee Members must be with the Secretary (Dr David Agassiz) by 24th March. Each one will need to be accompanied by the nominee’s signed consent, the proposer’s name and the seconder’s name. It surely goes without saying that all must be members of the Civic Society? Audited accounts will be presented at the AGM. Do please turn up. It won’t be a boring meeting. If there’s a chill in the air David Lewis will ensure those log burners are roaring (but let’s face the future with a rosy outlook and the expectation of Spring warmth). His new coffee machine will be switched on and waiting upon your every refreshment need
Tuesday 14th April 7 for 7.30pm Old Town Quarry
ART at the QUARRY
DOLPHIN SQUARE
Artists will be exhibiting their work at the Quarry’s Rowan Tree Tea Rooms throughout the whole of this year.
We await with much patience the commencement of work at Dolphin Square. So far as multi-storey car parks go the new one in Carlton Street is inoffensive but the new hotel is definitely not a thing of beauty nor will it become a joy for ever; bit sort of 1970s isn’t it?
University of the Arts London and Weston College students’ Mature Foundation Exhibition (above illustration) will have ended by the time Weston View hits the bookstalls but don’t worry; there’ll be almost another twenty displays to engage art-loving appetites. Some will be individually created whilst others will be coming from art clubs eg Clevedon Craft Centre and Draycott Arts Club, and of course Weston College. If any artist wishes to book wall space for a week or fortnight do get in touch with David Lewis. Rates are £55 per week (winter) and £65 per week (summer).
OLD LIBRARY
We hear much about long-awaited new leisure plans; cinema, bowling alley and any accompanying chain restaurants. Perhaps something might actually start in 2015. But does anybody seriously expect the rest of this site to fill up with shops and large stores? Hasn’t retailing changed to the point where there’s unlikely to be ant more demand for traditional shops? In which case isn’t it about time we began serious consideration of alternative land uses? As much as many of us would love to see well-manicured public lawns and gardens or even a new swimming pool here economic realities will be harsher and more demanding. Would good quality flats with sea-view balconies be feasible? Must Weston continue providing retirement accommodation when we probably need an influx of something different to re-set our disproportionally aged population? Newer economically active residential occupation might also have a beneficial effect upon existing town centre shops restaurants and leisure facilities, though much of what passes for the “night-time economy” might be very offputting to would-be town centre /seafront residents.
This is OPINION and not necessarily Civic Society policy What do our members think?
No point raking over the should it or should it not have been sold coals; it has. A Clifton-based property company paid £¼ million at auction and we now await the submission of a planning application (residential?). Fortunately it’s Listed so the exterior and internal staircase can’t be destroyed.
Weston View is available on-line and can be sent directly to you (or to anyone else). Just send your e-mail details to:membership@westoncivicsoc.org.uk Mark Bradshaw does sterling work as our web site manager. Do look at it – and participate in chats chatsations