11 August 2012

CHAIRMAN’S REPORT: 07 AUGUST 2012.

1. FRIAR’S MILL & THE HERITAGE PARTNERSHIP: I have told the City Council they should compulsory purchase, restore, redevelop and sell at a profit on the very day that this broke as a Mercury story. However C&D are prevaricating as there is technically no owner. But the Bank of Ireland owns the mortgage, so the Council could presumably purchase this. Meanwhile GVA Grimley, the bank’s agents, is seeking permission to demolish and clear the site, which SPS has publicly said is a non-starter. Jamie Lewis is still interested and assures me he would restore the façade and roof, involving careful reconstruction from the ground up if the walls were unsound. (He reminds me that the Equity Shoe Factory was also damaged by arson) I shall be pressing for action at the next meeting of the Heritage Partnership on 13^th August. Also for security personal to be put into the Farben Works on Slater Street, as the only remaining part of Leicester’s industrial “Rotten Core” not yet wrecked or destroyed by arson.

I am also getting heartily fed up that after five meetings of the HP the Civic Society by virtue of its CA surveys, is the only one actually doing anything. The City Council have produced an “Action Plan”, which actually proposes doing nothing new for some years, and the others just treat the meetings as another talking shop. Everyone fiddles whilst Rome burns!

2. “TELLING THE STORY OF LEICESTER PLAN”: As this is to go to the Heritage, Leisure & Sport Scrutiny Committee the Mercury are picking up on the Belgrave Hall aspect, which Leicester Museums thought they had brushed under the carpet. I said we would be seeking to help form a “Friends of Belgrave Hall” in September. Museums are also proposing to extend winter closure of the Guildhall by one month, which as they did not consult with me (or anyone else) about, I roundly condemned.

I attended the “Story of Leicester Plan” “1850 to 1940” discussion group meeting on Thursday 12^th July at the Town Hall. Approximately half of us loony’s who made the first session came to this one, so interest is waning at the usual rate. In a way this is a pity, as these routines have to be ploughed through to produce any valid feedback.

http://citymayor.leicester.gov.uk/welcome/connecting-leicester/

3. MIDLAND STATION: Work has now finished. We need to be instantly aware that Network Rail will seek to insert retail pods (that’s shops in portacabins) with - or without - the benefit of listed building consent.

4. ASSOCIATION OF PRESERVATION TRUSTS: Jennifer and I attended The Association of (Building) Preservation Trusts conference at the Guildhall on Friday 6^th July. In appalling weather we were treated to guided visits of 21 St. Martins and The Master Hosier’s House, where we met the new owner, who has paid the City Council what they were owed for the two previous Urgent Works Notices and is now undertaking minimal restoration (it was raining more inside than out) to enable the building to be marketed. Good news at last - unless someone sets fire to it first!

5. CONSERVATION AREA SURVEYS: Latest survey was Ashleigh Road CA on Saturday 4^th and thank you to Howard, Peter and Leigh for their support. The next and hopefully last for this year, will be Aylestone and Aylestone Park from the corner of Hall Lane/Aylestone Road at 14.00 on Saturday 11^th August.

6. RICHARD III: The hunt is on for the remains of King Richard. I personally think that after 527 years there is little chance. But modern archaeology has achieved miracles before now and I love being proven wrong in such things. One thing is certain - any attempt to remove identified remains from Leicester would be up against one hell of a fight. Ben, can we update our campaigns page by adding this please?

7. CONNECTING LEICESTER: I am attending the launch event for the Jubilee Square public consultation on 8^th August. Sparks may fly!

8. SKITTLES MATCH & ANNUAL DINNER: At Trusha’s suggestion we have agreed a joint contest with Wigston Civic Society, at the Horse & Trumpet Wigston on 30^th November, which she is now organising

We also need to decide a venue for the 2013 Annual Dinner by the next Citizen deadline. (13^th October) Having been there to give a talk to Oadby Rotary, my money’s on “The Wigston Stage”, though bright ideas are still very welcome.

9. LOVE ARCHITECTURE: We have now been paid by Leicestershire Promotions and have paid RIBA, though Tim and I are still to meet them to discuss the future of this initiative.

10. NATIONAL GAS MUSEUM: The distraught curator informs me that the Museum is run by a Trust who have now scattered the collection into store and given him no indication as to when it is likely to be reassembled following completion of works, about which they have published no timetable. I feel a campaign coming on. Along with the National Space Centre, the National Gas Museum is one of our most important private museums with the largest collection of its kind in the world. I could be that some bad publicity is what this so-called Trust needs to get them to pull their finger out.

11. JUBILEE AWARD: Su and I duly attended the glittering ceremony at Beaumanor Hall on 19^th July.

12. ANCIENT LEICESTER PART I: Guided Walk 21^st July: We had 22 walkers.

13. 2013 COMEDY FESTIVAL: I am meeting a Geoff Lowe on 9^th August to see if we will lend our support as part of our commitment to the city’s Cultural Strategy.

14. CASTLE PARK FESTIVAL: I am attending the launch reception at the Guildhall on 20^th August and I am to give the Castle Tours on Saturday 25^th and Monday 27^th. (Jennifer and I are doing the “Roman Leicester” guided walk for Friends of Jewry Wall Museum on Sunday 26^th)

15. BIDDULPH GRANGE GARDENS: Saturday 1^st September: 13 bookings so far.

16. ANCIENT LEICESTER PART II: Saturday 22^nd September: 6 bookings so far.