Acting Chairman's Annual Review 2008/2009
It is my sad duty to report that John Laurence, Chairman since 2006, died this month after a brave fight against cancer. He was a man who inspired his colleagues and will be greatly missed.
John had time to write part of this letter and, as Acting Chairman, I have added a short piece to it. He wished to say that the changes made last year have improved the process of reviewing leads that have reached DHBT and so members with the relevant skills have been deployed to assess opportunities. More members of Council are becoming increasingly involved in considering potential projects.
Potential projects reviewed and discussed include:
Thorntons, High Street, Exeter
Plymouth properties including Fort Austin, Stonehouse Cottage, Stonehouse Town Wall and Woodlands Fort.
The Oratory at Ilsham Grange, Torquay
Radford Castle, Plymstock
Buckland Manor, Buckland in the Moor, Dartmoor
Peel Tower, North Devon
The Walronds, Cullompton
Sir Joshua Reynolds Centre, Plympton St Maurice, Plymouth
Elbury Cove Bath House & The Linhay, Cockington
Thomas Hall, Duryard, Exeter
Hooe Barn, Plymouth
No 9 Cathedral Yard (Old Ford Simey Building), Exeter
Annery Lime Kilns, North Devon.
Rougemont Castle, Exeter
Torbay Cinema, Paignton
Poltimore House, Nr Exeter
Exeter Cathedral Church of St Peter, Exeter DHBT fund matched £11, 363 for tower on library
However, we have yet to start an active restoration project this year. The reality is that many properties have either been too expensive or represented an unacceptable level of risk. The DHBT Council of Management has considered and our Projects Review Committee has investigated many new opportunities. As a result it can now be reported that DHBT is seriously considering a project near Plymstock and is in the process of conducting further detailed discussions hopefully leading to the acquisition of an important and historic landmark site. It remains to be seen what the future will bring.
The success and valuable financial contribution to DHBT made by the Haldon Belvedere continues under the aegis of the Steering Group chaired by Tim Legood. The hard work of Tim, our Manager Ian Turner and everyone involved either on the Steering Group, in maintaining the grounds or in dealing with the functioning of the building during weddings and events is rewarded by a developing and thriving business.
Thanks to the Friends of DHBT and the volunteers who assist at weekends. Many of you will have noticed that invasive shrubs have been cut back as we progressively return the grounds surrounding the Belvedere to a state more in keeping with the tower in its early days. Chris Curry is to be thanked for his efforts on behalf of DHBT in discussions with the Forestry Commission and on the study to identify a programme of restoration. The support of the Trustees of the Stringer Lawrence Memorial Trust is also gratefully received.
The future of DHBT is in the hands of the Trustees and Friends who seek to generate conservation projects. We remain ready to assist developers and local authorities to preserve and maintain the fabric of historic buildings as we have so successfully achieved in the past.
The thanks of the trust go to our Company Secretary, Debbie Parnall for all her work during the year and also to Members of Council and those on the PRC for all the support received during the year.
Roger Bowen
Acting Chairman of Devon Historic Buildings Trust
September 2009
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