CHAIRMAN’S REPORT 2007-2008

This was the 25^th Anniversary of the Worthing Society constituted in 1982.  It has been another busy year and I give heartfelt thanks to the Officers and members of the Executive Committee for the time and care they volunteer to give to our causes.  Recently, Ted Kennard has taken leave from the Committee as increased duties as Church Warden of St. Mary’s Goring have taken up more time, but I am pleased that he has agreed to keep the Frink Heads Portfolio.  The last Newsletter contained a plea for the future.  The Committee is actively seeking suitable new members to strengthen its numbers and safeguard the future of the Society.

Events and Social

Our quarterly meetings have been well attended and Susan Miller enlisted Christine Roberts help to keep the attendance register, collect monies from non members, enlist new members and make sure the numbers allowed by the Health and Safety regime were not exceeded.  Talks were by Ron Kerridge on ‘Old Buildings of Broadwater and Worthing’, Chris Hare on ‘Scandals of Victorian and Edwardian Worthing’, Adrian Jolly gave an ‘Overview of Architecture and Design at the Royal Pavilion’ and David Brock of English Heritage on ‘The Current State of Castle Goring’.  This last meeting on February 26^th was held in the presence of The Mayor of Worthing Cllr.Dr. Heather Mercer who in her speech paid tribute to the work and aims of the Society.  Three Councillors and James Appleton from Planning Services also attended.

Our annual exhibition at the Library for two weeks in October organised and mounted by Tony Malone was voted ‘best ever’.

Mascha Richards set the social events off with a ‘Summer Outing to Hastings’ on June 12^th with good weather and an excellent guide for the walk.  The Strawberries and Cream Tea at Beach House in July saw the sun come out and we were able to sit on the balcony.  In December a full coach of members and friends attended the John Rutter Christmas Celebration Concert at the Royal Albert Hall.  It was a hugely successful and enjoyable event thanks to the hard work of Mascha and Barry Richards.

On Thursday 10^th April 2008, Christine Roberts who is up for election to the office of Social Secretary organised a Guided Walk of Historic Horsham with Dr. Annabelle Hughes.

Out Website is much improved under the care of Barry Richards.

Plaque

In October a fine replacement plaque was erected on Provident House in Grafton Road, which as Worthing’s Soup Kitchen had a significant role in the town’s social history

Planning and Conservation

The Society has met with success and disappointment in its campaigns.  We reported last year on the failure of our efforts, with others, to get the Art College Union Place listed and in May 2007 the subsequent appeal by McCarthy and Stone was upheld.  The site is now being cleared to make way for a Home for the Elderly and Infirm.  The loss of the Art College building has caused widespread comment and dismay.  Some comfort can be taken that Listed Elm Lawn House, sometimes called Dr. Dixon’s House, a building of historical significance to Worthing will be renovated.  On April 8^th this year another inquiry opened as Signature Senior Lifestyle Ltd. appealed against the DCC decision not to allow the demolition of 118-128 Broadwater Street West in order to build 77 suites for the elderly.  The Worthing Society, Broadwater Residents Association and others support the Council’s decision to refuse this application and we must hope the Inspector dismisses the appeal.

The proposals for Sea Place and Yacht Club are not to our liking.  Concerns remain for possible flooding in this area.  When the Council decided to raise monies by disposing of the site for residential use we had hoped for a quality design but the grab for cash has increased density and mass beyond the original guidelines, with encroachment onto the greensward.

Nearly two years have passed since we served notice on WBC to apply for a judicial review over the plans for Titnore Lane.  We are still waiting to see a new application from the West Durrington Consortium together with a revised environmental study.

Our campaign to retain the Frink Heads – the Desert Quartet – and prevent their removal from the site in Liverpool Gardens resulted with their listing in May 2007.  We are indebted to The Twentieth Century Society and the Public Monuments and Sculpture Association for their support.  Mr. Avon has since appealed to have the listing reviewed and we have made representations to retain the listing.  A decision is due.

The sagas of Teville Gate, the Aquarena, the Police Station site in Union Place, Grafton, the future of the Guildbourne Centre and the EDAW Masterplan for the town centre go on.  It remains to be seen what effect the present financial restraints will have on the wish lists.  Worthing’s position as a major shopping centre is being questioned.  The changing demography of the town does not encourage optimism for the financial wellbeing of the town centre.

Our committee member David Sawers prepared our response to the Core Strategy document prepared by WBC and represented us together with Barry Richards at a meeting on February 4^th when WBC agreed with the Inspector that a rewrite was necessary.  The Chief Executive thanked David Sawers for his input.  Our thanks to David Sawers is also due for his efforts at the inquiry for the proposed South Downs National Park.  We have had hopes that Castle Goring and environs would be included.  The future of this Grade I listed building is a cause for concern.

The Society added its voice to the campaign for keep Christ Church in Grafton Road open.  This impressive listed building was paid for by public subscription and is an important part of Worthing’s history.

Tony Malone continues his attendance on the Planning User Group and represented the Society on the Design Panel for the Distinction in Building Awards 2007.

The Society remains perturbed at the continued corrosion of Worthing’s spirit of place.  Demolition or the conversion of older houses to multiple dwelling is insidious with an effect on the street scene and social implications.  Central Government policies, quangoes and funding bodies put pressure on our local council.  Developers use the threat of a Public Inquiry as a routine to overturn local decisions.  Against this background we make sure that the voice of the Society is heard at public consultations, inquiries and in offices and chambers of the local council.  As ever, Worthing’s Conservations Areas and open spaces remain at the forefront of our challenges.

On behalf of the Executive Committee I thank Members for their support and we always welcome views and comments.

Another busy year beckons.

David Sumner, Chairman