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)
Copyright (c) 2013 ALBRIGHTON and DISTRICT CIVIC SOCIETY