News

Open Gardens
The Trust has a Gardens Open day again this year. The Gardens will be open on 20th June between 2-6pm. more....

St Cross Hospital Events in 2010
St Cross Hospital have a number of Events planned for 2010 starting on 12th June when there is a concert by Chantage. more....

Winchester Archaelogy and local history 2010/11 Meeting Programme
WARG (Winchester archaelogy and local history Group) has published its programme of Meetings from September to May next year. more....

Summer Walks
A new programme of Evening Walks has been announced for the summer of 2010. more....

P.S. The walks programme in the paper Trust News for Jun 2010 has an incorrect order for the final walks in September.

City of Winchester Trust Awards 2010
The City of Winchester Trust is inviting applications from architects, landscape architects, designers or building owners for its 11th Design Awards. more....

Civic Voice replaces Civic Trust
The Civic Trust went into administration in April blaming the 'squeeze on local authority spending' for its downfall, and the loss of a remunerative government contract for administering the national Green Flag award for parks and gardens.
The Civic Trust was the independent nationwide charity dedicated to helping communities make better places in which to live, work and play. The Trust had campaigned for better places for people since 1957 (the same year as our foundation), and was a powerful, definitive and distinctive voice which helped communities to imagine, shape and deliver inspiring places and an enduring future. Probably its greatest achievement was a campaign that led to the creation of Conservation Areas in the 60s, arresting the widespread demolition of characterful urban areas.
Following consultation with all civic societies in the country a new body, Civic Voice is being created; the object will be to campaign in various ways, and to give expert advice to member societies as well as running a website, etc. A board of trustees will be formed for whom all societies may put forward names and will then have the opportunity to vote.
Civic Voice will be launched in London on 17th April when we shall be represented. For more information, explore the website: www.civicsocietyinitiative.org.uk
Or the last bulletin: www.civicsocietyinitiative.org.uk/initiative_bulletin.html

What now for Silver Hill?
The Trust Council recently agreed that the Trust’s general support for this redevelopment should be maintained. It cannot be in the best interests of this historic City for the dilapidation and neglect of such a significant area to continue indefinitely. At this stage we do not know what the City Council’s next move will be. The City actually owns very little of the site and it was always dependent on the active co-operation of a would-be developer. It is certainly a depressing thought that we could face several more years of inactivity as the whole area grows more and more neglected and unloved. We are now pressing the City Council for a full explanation of what real options they now have. We were encouraged throughout the earlier discussions that the significant mix of new housing was retained, including rented housing for local needs. We will be keen to ensure that any new changes retain this significant mix of housing to bring vitality and life to that area, which should not become a ghost town after the shops close.
Once the City Council has carried out its current review with its professional advisers the Trust will looking further at how we can help to move things forward.

Trust objects to Barton Farm Planning Application
In January a group of Trust members scrutinized the planning application by CALA Homes and heard a presentation from their architect. more....