LEICESTER CITIZEN THE JOURNAL OF LEICESTER CIVIC SOCIETY www.leicestercivicsociety.org.uk Leicester s historic riverside. View north from Soar Island. Spot the good things. Spot the bad things! Photo: Ben Ravilious No.7 AUGUST 2005 LEICESTER S NEW WATERSIDE. ABBEY PARK ROAD REDEVELOPMENT. CHAIRMAN S PAGE SPECIAL - THE THREAT TO OUR LISTED BUILDINGS. GREAT MALVERN & THE MALVERN HILLS. ROMAN LEICESTER. THE LEICESTER QUIZ. WHAT HAPPENED AT THE AGM. PLUS REGULAR FEATURES & MUCH MORE.
LEICESTER CIVIC SOCIETY Founded 1971 President J.B. JOSEPHS MA (Oxon.) Vice-President The Very Reverend Alan Warren MA Provost Emeritus of Leicester REGISTERED WITH THE CIVIC TRUST REGISTERED CHARITY No. 502932 CHAIRMAN: MEMBER OF THE EAST MIDLANDS AMENITY SOCIETIES ASSOCIATION JOHN BURROWS, 4 Manor House Gardens, Humberstone, LE5 1AF 0116-276-2843 j.w.burrows@btinternet.com HON. SECRETARY: STUART BAILEY, 48 Meadow Avenue, Loughborough, LE11 1JT 01509-520904 equanimity@simurg.co.uk HON.TREASURER & MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY: GORDON GOODE 53 Cort Crescent Leicester, LE3 1QJ ARCHIVIST: EVENTS DIARY KEITH DICKENS, 13 Arreton Close, Leicester, LE2 3PP Tuesday 9 th August 7.00pm: General Meeting. Town Hall. Members welcome. Saturday 20 th August: Castle Park Festival. Special events at Jewry Wall Museum. 11.00am to 4.30pm. Tuesday 13 th September 7.00pm: General Meeting. Town Hall. Members welcome. Saturday 17 th September: COACH TOUR: GREAT MALVERN and THE MALVERN HILLS. Big discounts for members. See Advertisement & Booking Form on back page for full details. Saturday 24 th September: Guided Walk: ROMAN LEICESTER. See Advertisement for full details and booking. Tuesday 11 th October 7.00pm: General Meeting. Town Hall. Members welcome. Tuesday 25 th October 7.30pm: THE LEICESTER QUIZ. Town Hall. See advertisement for full details. Tuesday 8 th November 7.00pm: General Meeting. Town Hall. Members welcome. Saturday 12 th November: East Midlands Amenity Societies Association: Meeting in Melton Mowbray. Members welcome. Contact Stuart Bailey for details if you want to go. Tuesday 13 th December 7.00pm: General Meeting. Town Hall. Members welcome. THERE S A LOT HAPPENING IN LEICESTER CIVIC SOCIETY IT PAYS TO BE A MEMBER TELL YOUR FRIENDS! CREDITS: Front cover Ben Ravilious. Cuttings on Abbey Park Road & Leicester s New Waterside from Regeneration & Renewal. The editors would like to thank Simon Harris, without whose considerable desktop publishing skills this Journal would have been infinitely the poorer. The opinions expressed in LEICESTER CITIZEN are not necessarily those of the editors or Leicester Civic Society.
The Chairman s Page If the present legislation on the protection of listed buildings is anything to go by, as far as Leicester is concerned it is by no means strong enough. The following examples demonstrate the case. 150 Highcross Street A grade 2 listed Georgian House purchased by the County Council pending widening of Highcross Street that never took place. For years, this building was deliberately allowed to fall into a state of dereliction. Eventually it was declared a dangerous structure and Highcross Street was closed for some weeks whilst controlled demolition took place. The Liberty Building, Eastern Boulevard Another grade 2 listed property; this factory was, until a few years ago, a prominent landmark on Eastern Boulevard. It boasted an enormous copy of the Statue of Liberty on its most prominent corner. After the last occupants moved out, and whilst in a reasonable condition, a planning application was submitted to add an extra storey, and to convert the building into student accommodation. This duly came before the Conservation Advisory Panel of Leicester City Council who were assured that the structural condition of the property would be strong enough to carry the extra floor. However, nothing ever came of this and the application lapsed. Vandalism rapidly developed and the condition of the building became ever more sad. The owner carried out no more than the minimum required to avoid the structure being declared dangerous. Came the inevitable time when the assertion was made that: To repair and restore would not be economical, and Listed Building Consent was successfully sought to demolish in order to erect the block of student flats that now occupies the site. The statue was rescued for re-erection at a future date but has itself been declared beyond economic repair and is now lost. Leicester City Council Proposals Leicester City Council has a portfolio of listed properties, some empty and some in use. Notably these include The City Rooms a grade 1 listed Georgian Assembly Rooms completed in 1801. Until Leicester achieved Unity Authority status this important part of our heritage was safely in County Council hands being well used and maintained. It is claimed by the City Council that the building is under used and that the Council does not have the money to carry out repair and restoration needed to bring it up to present day requirements. It has consequently been sold to a private developer for conversion to a restaurant and hotel. If this doesn t work in a few years time there will be little to prevent further conversion into just another wine bar like all the rest. The Council s proposals are that ALL Listed Properties presently owned by them be advertised and marketed as long lease (i.e. at least 99 years) investments to the private sector and this is already going ahead with the next victim, the former Wyggeston House Costume Museum. This policy presumably includes The Castle! Leicester Civic Society believes these actions are a betrayal of trust towards the citizens of Leicester by its Council. Its leaders proudly hold to the claim that: Leicester is the First Environment City in the Country. However they appear to be motivated by a reckless desire to cut costs at all costs and unless stopped will ensure that THE PAST OF LEICESTER HAS NO FUTURE AND THE LEICESTER OF THE FUTURE HAS NO PAST.
Proposals of Leicester Civic Society The Church of England enforces architectural inspections of all churches. Each Church must have a qualified architect as its custodian and who must be consulted in advance of any proposed changes. We believe that local planning authorities must be empowered and obliged to enforce an inspection register of listed buildings, which inspections must be carried out by independent architects, engineers and surveyors. Owners must be obliged to keep the local planning authority advised of the name of their custodian architect. Where a local planning authority is the owner of a listed property regular inspections should be carried under the direct authority of English Heritage. As soon as a listed building becomes vacant, or within no more than three months of vacancy, then a complete inspection must be undertaken, regardless of how recent the last regular inspection, or how close the due date for the next. The results should be submitted to the local planning authority or English Heritage as appropriate. Upon reoccupation the normal regime of inspections should restart. Presently, the law obliges sellers of private residences to compile an Information Pack for prospective buyers. Where transfer of title of listed buildings occurs, similar Information on the listed status, current condition, inspection/survey reports, restorations/repairs carried out or due, should be compiled. Any costs of the above should be allowed against taxation liabilities. Especially we plead for abolition or reduction of VAT on repair and maintenance of listed buildings. The present VAT regime places an unfair burden on those tasked with the upkeep of these buildings. Naturally we hope that any penalties that are set will enforce protection both in letter and spirit. As present legislation now stands it is more honoured in the breach than the observance. John Burrows EVENTS PAST & FUTURE LEEK & LITTLE MORETON HALL 21 st May: A marvellous day out. We arrived in Leek for the annual carnival and with plenty of time to explore this ancient town and enjoy street markets and fun fair! Then on to Little Moreton Hall where the National Trust provided a guided walk of this unspoilt Tudor mansion. NEW WALK & THE GEORGIAN NEW TOWN 28 th May: Thanks to Leicestershire Rural Community Council for helping to make this walk a success. The walkers enjoyed the architectural and social history of Leicester s unique walkway. We gained two new members at this well attended event. NEWARK AWAYDAY 18 th June: Civic Society members from all over the East Midlands converged on Newark for tours, talks and walks on this beautiful town. Thanks to Newark Civic Trust for organising a delightful day out. GREAT MALVERN & THE MALVERN HILLS 17 th September: This is it! The autumn tour you ve all been waiting for. Guided walk of this historic Worcestershire town and a tour of the beautiful Malvern Hills. See booking form and details on the back cover and book early to avoid disappointment. ROMAN LEICESTER 24 th September: Guided Walk. See advertisement opposite for full details. Numbers are limited so once again book early to avoid disappointment. THE LEICESTER QUIZ 23 rd October: An evening with a difference. See what you think you know about Leicester and win a prize! See advertisement opposite for full details
LEICESTER CIVIC SOCIETY and LEICESTERSHIRE RURAL COMMUNITY COUNCIL SATURDAY 24 th SEPTEMBER 2005 ROMAN LEICESTER A Guided Walk by Stuart Bailey From Jewry Wall Museum at 10.30am Duration 60 minutes. Followed by tour of the Museum. Cost: 2.00 ADVANCE BOOKINGS ESSENTIAL. TO: STUART BAILEY, 48 MEADOW AVENUE, LOUGHBOROUGH LE11 1JT. CHEQUES PAYABLE TO LEICESTER CIVIC SOCIETY ALTERNATIVELY SEND STAMPS OR FIX 2 COIN TO CARD. TUESDAY 25 TH OCTOBER 2005 LEICESTER CIVIC SOCIETY PROUDLY PRESENTS THE LEICESTER QUIZ HOW MUCH DO YOU THINK YOU KNOW ABOUT LEICESTER? COME ALONG INDIVIDUALLY OR TURN UP AS A TEAM. PIT YOUR WITS AGAINST OUR SO-CALLED EXPERTS AND WIN A PRIZE! LEICESTER TOWN HALL AT 7.30PM ADMISSION 2.00. MEMBERS FREE. ADMISSION REFUNDED TO THOSE JOINING AT THIS EVENT. JOIN NOW SHOW THAT YOU CARE! QUIZ ENTRY NOT AVAILABLE TO CURRENT OFFICERS OF LEICESTER CIVIC SOCIETY
We are grateful to Regeneration & Renewal Magazine for featuring Leicester prominently in their March and June issues. The informed and constructive criticism of their experts is given below
LEICESTER S NEW WATERSIDE Stuart Bailey Leicester Civic Society has commented as follows on these major development proposals by Leicester Regeneration Company. The marina originally proposed south of Soar Lane has been moved away from obvious archaeology sensitive areas, though there could be important archaeology outside the town walls as well as inside. Any emphasis on facilities for tourists visiting the City by water is to be keenly encouraged and improved mooring facilities along the entire riverside in the regeneration area would be welcomed. More boats moored-up mean a better used and safer riverside. Attract tourists by water from Easter to September to create a vibrant and attractive waterside. But they won t come without lighting or safe mooring. A pilot project centred on Soar Island is proposed to kick start the regeneration process. The value of a pilot project with so many houses, flats and shops is questionable given the unattractive location. However it is feasible that such a project could make the location attractive. The proposal for a landmark public building on Soar Island is excellent, as is linking the island across the river into the existing Victorian suburb of Woodgate. The island and its vicinity should be the subject of large scale landscaping with a green finger towards Abbey Park. This would be much to the benefit of both new and established residential areas. The success or failure of this regeneration scheme depends on the whole riverside, from at least West Bridge to Northgate Street being frequently used and brightly lit by night and day. Soar Island and Castle Gardens should be nodes sending out fingers of green in all possible directions to ensure people use the riverside as a means of journeying to and from the City centre, instead of just crossing it as now. Opening up new and popular pedestrian and cycle routes is very important. The success of the Narborough Road to Western Boulevard link is a classic example of what should be aimed for. We support retention of the Great Central railway viaduct, though the southern end would have to be demolished if any new road crossing was to be made over the river. Retention of the Great Central Station frontage is warmly welcomed. Opening a walkway through the splendid Parcels Office arch towards the riverside is an excellent idea. Could the vandalism inflicted on the station façade by the hideous 1950 brick wall be made good by restoration of the 1899 gable ends and even the clock tower? Taking traffic away from Northgate Street is good - and in the case of Highcross Street vital to any pedestrian link with the City centre - but to further load St. Margaret s Way with traffic is not a good idea. Great Central Street should be used but correcting the dreadful 1970 s mistake whereby the underpass misses it altogether will not be easy. We need to look carefully at what thoroughfares are important to the historic fabric of the City and are therefore most suitable for pedestrianisation projects to reconnect the riverside to the City centre. Just as carefully we need to look at those that are not, so that traffic flows can be adapted to the fabric of the built environment. This is opposite to the disastrous 1970 s predict-and-supply-regardless policy that damaged our historic built environment and sundered the City centre from the riverside in the first place. Leicester really needs to get serious about the urban design mess that is St. Nicholas Circle. We need far less wide open space filled with traffic and far more good red brick buildings, trees, public art and quality pedestrian surfaces. The entire area from Narborough Road North in the West to Vaughan Way in the East is both an inner urban eyesore and a physical barrier.
There is a proposal for a new road to the north of West Bridge; crossing the river and bypassing present main roads. This would need careful design given the existing historic settings of the Donisthorpe Mill and the Central Station. Any scheme to improve pedestrian access across the St. Nicholas Circle area is to be welcomed. We wish to see a scheme that would remove as much traffic as possible from St. Nicholas Circle. This should involve downgrading of the roadways and de-restricted ground level pedestrian flows in an environment of high quality urban design that respects and enhances the setting of the Saxon church of St. Nicholas, Roman Baths, Jewry Wall Museum and Vaughan College. We wish to see pedestrian safe and pedestrian friendly urban design being used to reconnect the Castle Park and the entire riverside to the City centre. We want a Conservation Area for the River Soar through the City. And we want it before any regeneration proposals are commenced. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ MINUTES OF THE 34 rd ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF LEICESTER CIVIC SOCIETY held on TUESDAY 17 th MAY 2005 at LEICESTER TOWN HALL at 7.00PM. Those present: Mr. John Burrows (Chair), Mr. Stuart Bailey, Mr. Keith Dickens, Mr. Gordon Goode, Mr. Simon Harris, Mr. Ben Ravilious, Mr. Bill Waugh. 1. Apologies for absence: Mr. John Kerruish, Mrs. Jenny Westmoreland. 2. Minutes of the 33rd AGM held on Tuesday 18 th May 2004 were issued in Leicester Citizen No.4 published on Tuesday 10 th August 2004. Gordon Goode proposed that these be accepted as a true record. This was seconded by Keith Dickens and passed unanimously. 3. REPORT OF THE CHAIRMAN & PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER 3.1. I ll start with the Bad News first. After 34 years graft, I ve decided that since January 2006, I ll be a Senior Citizen, this coming year will be my last in harness as an active committee member. It s time for a new, fresh, approach and, let s face it, a new face & voice. 3.2. So, what can I remember of the past year? Well over three hundred planning applications checked, questions to Council, meetings of the Conservation Advisory Panel and the Friends of the Riverside, continuing good relations with both the Mercury and Radio Leicester and last but by no means least, the good-natured banter of our monthly committee meetings. Three hundred applications may seem a lot. However, with something over 2,400 received each year by the Planning Department, that puts it in context. The help given by the Customer Services Team has been A1. The on-going snag has been the cramped space within which one is forced to work. The noise level is a distraction and the foot traffic confusing. Frankly it is a disgrace. A promise that something will be done depends upon the movement of Councillors Committee and Business Rooms back to Town Hall. This will free up space for a re-vamped Customer Services Section with more space in which to work. What will remain, however, is the journey from A Block for Case Officers if their help is needed. The Good Old Days saw us in separate, private rooms in A Block right next to the Officers rooms. The Quality of Applications has varied from five-star to back-of-the-fag-packet scribbles. Major Development Proposals are in thick and wordy with graph & chart laden confusion. If I, with years trying to decode this bulk find it hard, those new to the system such must be horrified!
3.3. Proposals for the Granby Halls site are being shelved, if not scrapped, as Home Office objections that the tower block would overlook the prison were themselves overlooked by the developers. It is unclear what is to happen to the Tigers ground, next door, should ground-share plans with the Walkers Stadium go ahead. 3.4. The Shires Extension is proving a very mixed blessing. As part of the master plan for the City Centre, it faces delays over compulsory purchase, the odd placing of the car park on the far side of Vaughan Way, and general damnation for the poor quality and location of the residential units. 3.5.The exclusive high rise Des res going up along the Waterside is a cause for concern. There is a distinct danger that the entire Riverside, especially to the North of West Bridge, will become a concrete canyon. 3.6.The St George s Conservation Area has seen more major housing conversions and new-build proposals than any other in the City. The bait has been the proximity to the New Cultural Quarter. This in turn raises the Question of the new theatre complex. It is a mite strange that this is still nowhere near starting whilst the former Odeon Cinema just over the road has been reborn as the Athena. Has, I wonder, the small fact that the Athena was privately funded relevant to its quick success? 3.7. At a Council Meeting on the 30 th September 2004, I asked why Labour Members did not attended meetings of CAP, when both Conservative and Lib-Dem Members were consistent in their attendance. CAP is purely advisory and can only make recommendations. Councillors attend voluntarily and their input is well informed. Councillor Kitterick replied that councillors attending risked forming pre-judged opinions prior to formal decision making. For this reason Labour members were advised not to attend. And there was little me thinking that it was a councillor s duty to be as fully informed as possible on planning matters before making decisions. 3.8. The new housing proposals I have seen will increase demand for gas, water and electricity. They will place extra loads upon the City s services, could over-stretch the emergency eervices and place more strain on our hospitals and our schools. All this seems to be blissfully ignored by the Council. I trust that they will wake up and soon! 3.9. A third planning application is to be submitted for the listed bank on St. Martins. 3.10. I am actively pursuing closer ties with the Stoneygate Conservation Society and have been asked to address their AGM on 25 th May. 3.11. Planning applications viewed over the last year were as follows: All Saints CA 2 Market Street CA 6 Ashleigh Road CA 2 New Walk CA 21 Aylestone Village CA 9 Old Humberstone CA 3 Belgrave Hall CA 0 St. George s CA 20 Braunstone Village CA 2 South Highfields CA 25 Castle Gardens CA 3 Spinney Hill Park CA 4 Cathedral/Guildhall CA 6 Stoneygate CA 49 Daneshill CA 6 Town Hall square CA 2 Evington Footpath CA 2 Westcotes Drive CA 2 Evington Village CA 5 Listed Buildings outside CA s 30 High Street CA 9 TPO s outside CA s 16 Knighton Village CA 5 Advertisements 1 Loughborough Road CA 1 Other 122 Market Place CA 14 TOTAL 363
3.12. Stoneygate tops the League again for Conservation Areas, with South Highfields in 2 nd beating New Walk for the first time in some years. 3.13. The Others may seem a high figure but there have been many applications this year, details of which have been picked up from the Public Notices in the Leicester Mercury every Wednesday, whilst we had not received official notification letters. 3.14. The Leicester Regeneration Company, bold though its efforts are, could be at risk of obliterating much of the character of man of our central conservation areas in its efforts to boost the image of the City. 3.15. Finally, I could not have a better group with which to work than my committee friends. For them no praise is too high. John Burrows Keith Dickens proposed acceptance of the Chairman s Report. This was seconded by Gordon Goode and passed unanimously. 4. REPORT OF THE HON. SECRETARY I am happy to report on another eventful year: 4.1. May 2004: Coach tour to the splendid National Trust Gardens at Hidcote Manor. This was a considerable success for which we enjoyed perfect weather. Many voted Hidcote the loveliest gardens they had ever seen. Unfortunately bookings were down and the tour made a loss as a result. 4.2. June 2004: We played host to the annual Awayday of the East Midlands Amenity Societies Association for which Civic Societies came from all over the East Midlands. Our Ancient Leicester guided walk was the centrepiece of the morning with an itinerary that included Bow Bridge, Castle Gardens, The Newarkes, Jewry Wall, Jewry Wall Museum, St. Nicholas Church and the Guildhall. Lunch was then taken at the Globe Inn. The afternoon featured a coach tour with the Abbey Ruins, Belgrave Hall and Bradgate Park all visited. Our guests were suitably impressed with what Leicester had to offer. This day was a big success being over subscribed and with a disappointed waiting list for coach cancellations. We shall be doing this tour again at the right moment. 4.3. July 2004: East MASA meeting in Sleaford. The guest speaker was Sleaford s Town Centre Manager and there was an excellent guided walk after lunch. 4.4. August 2004: Publication of Leicester Citizen No.4 with lead articles on the English Heritage Historic Environment Local Management (HELM) Project and the threat to the Jewry Wall Museum. Our Journal is now well established as the flagship publication of the Society. Now is a very appropriate time to thank our treasurer Gordon Goode for his Herculean labours in distribution. I assure you it would not be possible without his hard work. 4.5. August 2004: Victorian Leicester Guided walk. Jointly organised with Leicestershire Rural Community Council. This was a successful event with fifteen walkers. 4.6. September 2004: The late summer tour to Leek and Little Moreton Hall was cancelled at the last minute due to theft and vandalism at the coach company garage. We were all very disappointed. But this tour is to be held on 21st May this year.
4.7. September 2004: We supported the formation of the Friends of Jewry Wall Museum organised to fight the City Council imposed reduction of opening hours to only one day a week and to promote a healthier future for this important local museum. The Friends have proven extremely effective with a well-supported programme of events at the museum and a campaign that has already seen some relaxation in the initial draconian cuts. 4.8. October 2004: East MASA meeting at Uppingham. A well attended meeting and a welcome return to Rutland with a visit to Lyddington Bede House in the afternoon. 4.9. November 2004: Talk Leicester s Necropolis. A wonderful evening with the Friends of Welford Road Cemetery. However the turnout was embarrassingly small. 4.10 December 2004: Publication of Leicester Citizen No.5 with lead articles on Regeneration & Buildings at Risk, and Leicestershire & Rutland Blue Badge Guides. 4.11. January 2005: Christmas and New Year Dinner at the Stoneycroft Hotel. Twelve members and friends attended. Thanks to John Burrows for organising this popular social event. But once again it was sad that so many members did not bother to attend. 4.12. January 2005: East MASA meeting at Greasley, Nottinghamshire. Another well attended meeting. The pub grub at the Nelson & Railway afterwards was wonderful! 4.13. March 2005: Talk A Leicester Miscellany by our treasurer Gordon Goode. A splendid evening during which Gordon led us at breakneck speed through the byways of Leicester s history, interrupted by an elderly thespian in the guise of Richard III, an old crone, Charles Dickens and sundry other characters. Voted a success by all, we gained two new members. Many thanks to the technical team, Simon and Phil, without whose efforts this would not have been possible. However - yet again - the turnout was poor. 4.14. April 2005: Publication of Leicester Citizen No.6 with lead articles on Leicester s Lost Loos and Regeneration of the Magazine Gateway. 4.15. April 2005: East MASA 4 rd AGM at Melbourne, Derbyshire. Lunch was followed by one of the best guided walks I have ever been on. 4.16. April 2005: Historic decision to launch our own web site following a convincing presentation by Ben Ravilious. This major initiative is aimed at attracting a whole new generation of members. Stuart Bailey Acceptance of the Secretary s report was proposed by Bill Waugh, seconded by Keith Dickens and carried unanimously. 5. REPORT OF THE HON. TREASURER & MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY 5.1. Gentlemen I present the audited accounts for the 2004 2005 financial year. (Enclosed separately for members Ed) 5.2. In the past year expenditure for the second year running slightly exceeded income, which was the result of the cancelled excursion. Notwithstanding this our accounts are in a reasonably healthy state. In particular subscriptions increased by some 15% over the previous year, income from walks, talks and speaking fees was up by 23% but the income from excursions fell by 34% causing the loss. Our overall expenditure for the year fell by 9% from 2003/2004.
5.3. The level of subscriptions is such that we break even on our discounted membership and make a slight profit on others, taking into account three of our journals a year. In view of this we are pleased to be able to keep the level of subscriptions at the current rate for next year. 5.4. Your committee has however decided that some measure of fund raising is required - don t worry, I m not going to ask for money - and has decided as follows. 5.4.1. We are looking to sell second hand books and with this in mind can I ask for donations of your unwanted books. 5.4.2. We are looking at publishing either new works or selected reprints of older books and possibly a calendar and postcards. This is to be funded from half of the income from old book sales, the other half of the income being used for general purposes. 5.4.3. We are looking to establish a small tabletop display we can take around exhibitions etc to publicise our work, obtain new members and hopefully raise some money. 5.5. Turning now to membership. In the past year membership has increased by 5%. This is the second year running that membership has increased by 5% despite the loss of some members due to the activities of the Grim Reaper, and I don t mean the Tax Inspector. (Pause in vain for laughter) This increase was over both ordinary and discounted members with patrons remaining the same. Gordon Goode There were no questions on the accounts. Stuart Bailey proposed that the Treasurer s report and audited accounts be accepted. This was seconded by Simon Harris and carried unanimously. The auditor was thanked. 6. REPORT OF THE SOCIETY ARCHIVIST 6.1. I have commented on four out of five of Leicester Regeneration Company proposals. 6.2. I have commented on the Churchgate Conservation Area proposals. 6.3. I have made additions to the recommendations for the Buildings of Local Interest List previously submitted to the City Council Urban Design Team. 6.4. The research for Leicester s Lost Loos has been completed and an article published in Leicester Citizen No.6. A full list of the loos with accompanying map is also available on request. 6.5. I am now working on a list of the lost houses of Stoneygate. 6.6. A photographic record of the City s art deco buildings is being compiled and I have commented on the proposals for the former Bentley Engineering and Murphy Bros. Factories. Keith Dickens Gordon Goode proposed acceptance of the Archivist s report. This was seconded by Bill Waugh and carried unanimously.
7. ELECTION OF OFFICERS 7.1. The Chairman and Publicity Officer, Hon. Secretary, Hon. Treasurer, Society Archivist and Mrs. J. Westmoreland are all willing to stand and are unopposed. It was therefore moved that they be re-elected enbloc. This was proposed by Simon Harris, seconded by Ben Ravilious and carried unanimously. 7.2. Vice-Chairman: There were no nominations for this position which will therefore remain vacant. The committee reserves the right to co-opt. 8. ELECTION OF OTHER COMMITTEE MEMBERS 8.1. Stuart Bailey proposed Mr Ben Ravilious. Gordon Goode seconded Ben and his election was carried unanimously. 8.2. There are six other vacancies for which there were no nominations. These will therefore remain vacant. The committee reserves the right to co-opt. 9. ANY OTHER BUSINESS 9.1. Stuart Bailey drew the attention of the meeting to the leaflets on the side table advertising our excursion on 21 st and the guided walk on 28 th May. 9.2. John Burrows reported that the excursion had had widespread Internet circulation. 9.3. There being no further business the Chairman closed the meeting at 7.55PM. ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT STONEYGATE SCHOOL 6 London Road, Great Glen, Leicestershire. LE8 9DJ Telephone: 0116 2592282 Email: stoneygate@webleicester.co.uk Headmaster: J. H. Morris M.A. Phillips & Powell Solicitors Regulated by The Law Society ****************************************************************************** LEICESTER: 3 De Montfort Street, Leicester LE1 7GE. Telephone: 0116-2557566 WIGSTON: 158 Leicester Road, Wigston. Telephone: 0116-2888988 BLABY: 19B Leicester Road, Blaby. Telephone: 0116-2778215/8388 OADBY: 22 The Parade, Oadby LE18 1DS. Telephone: 0116-2714129
LEICESTER CIVIC SOCIETY IN CONJUNCTION WITH CIVIC TRUST HERITAGE OPEN DAYS SATURDAY 17 th SEPTEMBER 2005 EXCURSION TO THE HISTORIC TOWN OF GREAT MALVERN INCLUDING OPTIONAL GUIDED WALK AND SCENIC TOUR OF THE MALVERN HILLS COACH DEPART: LOUGHBOROUGH (Rushes Shopping Centre) HUMBERSTONE GATE (Secular Hall) HOLIDAY INN (Former Post House) NARBOROUGH RD. 8.15am 8.40am 8.50am RETURNING AT 6.20, 6.40 and 6.55 pm FULL FARE: 17.00 (MEMBERS 15.00) CONCESSION: 16.00 (MEMBERS 14.00) Senior Citizens, Accompanied children, Students, Unwaged. BIG DISCOUNTS FOR MEMBERS. JOIN NOW - SHOW THAT YOU CARE! ADVANCE BOOKING ESSENTIAL TO: STUART BAILEY, 48 MEADOW AVENUE, LOUGHBOROUGH LE11 1JT. CHEQUES PAYABLE TO LEICESTER CIVIC SOCIETY PLEASE RESERVE PLACES ON THE TOUR TO GREAT MALVERN & THE MALVERN HILLS I ENCLOSE IN FULL PAYMENT. I/WE WILL JOIN THE COACH AT PLEASE ENTER NAME & ADDRESS & POST CODE BELOW (YOU CAN PHOTOCOPY THIS PAGE)