Newsletter

 

Society's Newsletter November 2012

The public meeting and AGM held on 8th October attracted more than 160 people and was way beyond anything we have seen before. Every chair in the Red House was used and even then there were more than 25 people standing at the back or at the door. We would like to thank everyone who came and for their interest and participation.

There was a very interesting and useful presentation by Gaynor Richards and Peter Phillips from the Albrighton Traders Association who explained the proposed Signage Scheme which was to “Enhance the Visitor Economy and Revitalise Albrighton”. This included “Brown road signs” to encourage visitors to come into Albrighton from the A41 and A464 and to hopefully use the shops/restaurants/pubs/garages etc. Once in the village, visitors will find information sign boards (“visitor interpretation panels”) at various locations within the village such as Crown Hotel, Shrewsbury Arms, Red House Square, Village Green and Railway Station. These will also direct visitors to local attractions outside the village such as RAF Cosford Museum, David Austin Roses, Tong Church, Boscobel House and Albrighton Trust Moat Site where there will be reciprocal signs directing visitors to the other attractions and also to the sites in Albrighton. The work is expected to be completed by May 2013. For more information please see the Traders’ website at www.albrighton.eu

David Bromley then gave a very interesting talk on how he and his son have restored the Shrewsbury Arms and illustrated this with photos of the dilapidated building prior to the work and of the very elegant restaurant which has been created. All work had to be done with consent of the conservation officer and many lost or covered up features were uncovered during the work have been repaired and brought back for all to enjoy. We all look forward to eating there when it opens.
Michael McEntee then showed how the Old School has been turned into a “sealed house” full of energy saving features while still retaining all the architectural features of this well loved building in another of our conservation areas. The new “inside structure” has been founded on an new base slab which supports new inner walls so that the new building does not add load onto the old foundations. He showed how the painted stonework had been sand blasted and restored to its original condition and how he found new roof cowls to replace those removed some 30 years ago. He will organise an open day during November for all to visit .
Both David and Michael were congratulated by everyone and received Certificates for their excellent restoration of two local and important historic buildings.

Answers were sought by a show of hands to aid the Society to provide input to the Village Plan currently underway by the local councils (Albrighton, Boningale, Donington-with-Boscobel).

We thank the guest speakers Gaynor Richards, Peter Phillips, David Bromley and Michael McEntee who did a wonderful job which was acknowledged by the enormous applause for their contributions

Finally we thank everyone who found time to come – it was a great turn out but unfortunately the public address system was not up and running which was an issue raised, especially by the people at the back. Unfortunately it was beyond our control and we apologise for the situation which then arose. We assure you that this matter has been taken on board and we will do our upmost to ensure it doesn’t happen again. Thank you once again to all who attended and we look forward to seeing as many of you as possible at our next meeting.

for more information please see www AlbrightonAndDistrictCivicSociety.co.uk or contact:

Peter Woodman –Chairman (T: 372225) 31/32 High St or Rod Smith -Secretary (T: 372765)

 

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