BOURNEMOUTH CIVIC SOCIETY
NEWSLETTER
Mid-summer 2014
Apology
I apologise for the late issue of this truncated newsletter. John Barker (Editor)
Annual General Meeting
This took place at the Connaught Hotel in West Hill Road in Bournemouth on Wednesday 2nd April. The Chairman Ken Mantock thanked the committee for their support noting that they were all volunteers.
He then reviewed the “big issues” which had been considered through the year. These included the Seafront Strategy, Talbot Village and Holdenhurst Village conservation areas, Churchill Gardens and the Three Towns Strategy aimed at providing easier and faster routes through the conurbation.
The changes taking place at the entrance to Horseshoe Common are part of that Strategy.
Other areas of interest were the developments along Madeira Road with a car park and its an orange and lemon facade and a student accommodation block for the Arts Institute. Having for many years driven along that part of the Wessex Way I was sorry to lose the wooded avenue effect but it was a good use of parking lots. Other subjects Ken reviewed were the future of Westover Road and the Odeon cinema the proposed enhancement of the Lower Gardens and the restoration of St Peter’s Church. He also mentioned the support given to Bournemouth in Bloom by Winnie and Andre Thomas. He also thanked John Walker for representing the Society at the unveiling of a plaque commemorating the bombing of the Metropole Hotel at the Lansdowne.
Further afield was the Navitus wind farm and its possible effect on the town’s business’s. and tourism. John Soane explained the Society’s submission. The Society would continue being involved in the Bournemouth Local Plan and ensuring that the green belt would be maintained
The guest speaker was Councillor John Beesley the leader of the Council. He explained the Council’s philosophy with regard to the development of the town centre. He said it was a long term project which aimed at providing a high quality environment for residents and visitors. The Council had entered into a partnership with Morgan Sindall to manage the development on Madeira Road and at Leyton Mount. There was an urgent need to re-introduce a significant resident population into the town centre. One of the problems the Council faced was the changing nature of the retail trade and it questioned whether, in the long term, the town would still be able to support three department stores. But the Council will have to adapt to these changes. Councillor Beesley concluded by answering questions. about developments throughout the Borough.
Throop
Councillor Ron Whittaker continued his campaign to save the mill as a visitor attraction but
with little encouragement from the owners. He is also concerned about the future of the Church, the Manse and the repair and maintenance of the listed Hicks Farm. He will be retiring from the Council soon so as the champion of Throop he will be sorely missed.
Planning
John Soane continues to review the planning applications received by the Bournemouth Council. They included flats for the Winter Gardens site; Southbourne Cliff Road, Bedford Crescent and Richmond Park Road among others. John Soane criticised some of the design features of a number of these and other schemes and made recommendations for improving them.
Election of Officers and Committee Members
President John Barker
Chairman Ken Mantock
Vice-Chairman Jean Bird
Treasurer Peter Jackson
Activities Beryl Parker and Keith Barnes
Committee Elaine Cooper, Sally Mcgrath, John Soane, Andre Thomas, John Walker
Minute Secretary Paul Newsome
Activities
Beryl and Keith continue despite health problems to provide us with a varied programme.
The Bournemouth and Beyond society have proposed joining forces for some outings where
coaches have to be hired. This has been welcomed.
Visits have been organised to visit Littledown House, although security limited access to the house. Because of recent floods the visit to Quarrtely‘s in Christchurch was cancelled but Mike Andrew of the Christchurch History Society gave members a tour of the Castle and Constable’s House.
Contacts
Ken Mantock Chairman Tel: 01202 420199
Jean Bird Vice-Chairman Tel: 01202 757051
Beryl Parker Social Activities Tel: 01202 512717
Keith Barnes Social Activities Tel: 01202 397073
John Barker Newsletter Editor Tel: 01202 292871
The views of contributors are not necessarily those of the Society.