THE GUILDFORD SOCIETY
DESIGN and HERITAGE ANNUAL REPORT 2010 - 2011
Among the responsibilities of the group are Guildford’s historic streets, the annual Architecture Lecture (with the university), the biennial Design Awards, Architecture Week events, publications, trees and the Greening of Guildford, providing stewards for Heritage Open Days, and other heritage concerns.
Architecture Lecture. The subject of last year’s interesting lecture, in collaboration with the university, was the restoration of the Watts Gallery, and Gallery restoration in general, given by the architects carrying out the Watts restoration. This year’s lecturer was Angela Brady, President-Elect of RIBA, and the subject she addressed was Living Spaces for the Future. The evening was preceded by a reception and the launch of our 75th Anniversary booklet, and was followed by the customary supper, always a very convivial occasion, much enjoyed by members and guests alike.
Streetscape issues. Members will be aware of Doug Scott’s excellent work on the state of Guildford High Street, the photographs of broken pavements, poor sett repairs and ill-matching street furniture. This arose from the English Heritage national campaign against street clutter which the society supported with little success. At last we can report progress.
The Guildford Society Streetscape Forum in November was attended by officers, councillors and members as well as representatives of English Heritage and Civic Voice, and was considered to be a great success. Recently the Planning Department of the Council invited the help of our members in conducting an extensive Streetscape Audit, with a view to developing a strategy for improving the appearance of the town centre streets. Eighteen members volunteered to participate in this, the results have been returned, and we now eagerly await feedback from GBC as to what action will be taken to de-clutter Guildford’s streets, and generally improve the town centre streetscape.
Design Awards. Last year’s Design Awards presentation took place in October. The winners were invited to give a presentation about their projects. It was very interesting to hear the rationale behind their work, and the challenges faced. The awards were presented by Honorary Life Members Bill and Doreen Bellerby.
Heritage Open Days in September were once again very successful. This event goes from strength to strength each year. The Guildford Society’s role in this weekend event is to provide many of the stewards for the various properties. Guildford is placed 6th in the country this year, in terms of numbers of visits. We must add, however, that numbers 1-5 are all cities. I guess that makes us the Top Town, which makes us rather proud! Stewarding is a very pleasant way of passing an hour or two. Volunteers are always needed to swell our ranks. Gillian Cameron is the Guildford Society’s lead member on this, and I am sure she would be very grateful for any offers of help for this year’s Open Days, 10th and 11th September.
Guildford House. Representatives from the Design and Heritage Group, along with our Chairman, Michael Jeffery, have been involved in a working group together with council officers, the Friends of Guildford House, and Guildford Arts, to look at the plans for the future of Guildford House. Whilst being a little apprehensive about the move of the Craft Shop down into the Courtyard Brewhouse, we are of course very pleased indeed to see that the future of the House as an Art Gallery, open to the public five days per week, is now assured.
The Riverside. We plan to set up a subgroup whose aim will be to focus on improving the appearance of and access to the riverside in the town centre, one of Guildford’s greatest assets.
(July 2011)