Our Town The Newsletter of Civic Society March 6 2017 Debate, ideas, news and provocations Your regular update on how we are working to keep Cheltenham a great place to live

Blue plaques – pink and green Finally – 111 years after her death – Dorothea Beale, principal of The Ladies’ College, is to be honoured with a Cheltenham Blue Plaque. A year ago, Our Town wondered why so few Blue Plaques in Cheltenham honoured women: “Why aren’t Blue Plaques pink?” we asked. We suggested you vote for the woman who most deserved to be so honoured: and the clear winner was Dorothea Beale (right) second Principal of The Ladies’ College. Others who made the shortlist were the suffragist Edith How-Martyn; the town’s historian Gwen Hart; and Harriet Bowdler, who first ‘bowdlerised’ Shakespeare. In 1858 Miss Beale (1831-1906) was chosen NPG out of fifty candidates to be Principal of The Ladies’ College; in 1893 she founded St Hilda’s College, Oxford. In 1901 she was awarded the honorary freedom of the Borough. At this very moment, Miss Beale’s Blue Plaque is being made. (You would not believe the amount of debate there has been about the wording!) There is, as yet, no date for it being unveiled, but the Civic Society’s Blue Plaques sub-committee say it may well be this year… There’s more… Some years ago, the Plaque commemorating Pate’s School (also known as the Grammar School) was removed, during the redevelopment of its High-Street site. The school was founded by Richard Pate (1516–1588) (left) with a fund bestowed by him to Corpus Christi College, Oxford in 1574. Pate was born in Cheltenham, and became one of the two Members of Parliament for Gloucester (1559, 1563-67); he is buried in a rather grand tomb in Gloucester Cathedral. Part of the High-Street site was later occupied by Tesco: now, all that too has What’s in Our Town this time… been swept away, and replaced by the new Brewery development. The good news is that, thanks to the UPDATE: ‘Place Strategy’.…………………….……page 2 developers, the Plaque survived, and has been re- UPDATE: Diary dates - upcoming events….……... page 3 fixed, transformed from original green (the usual UPDATE: 2016 Paterson Memorial Lecture...... page 4 colour for place Plaques) into handsome royal blue: DEBATE: My Dream Cheltenham……….….….… page 5

UPDATE: ‘Cheltenham village’ 3: Oakley…... pages 6 & 7

DEBATE: A contrary view: Reader’s letter...……….page 8

DEBATE: A sceptical view: the High Street….……page 8 DEBATE: Car parks: barriers or gateways?...... page 9 UPDATE: Overview: our five corporate members..page 10 BRAINWAVES: a gallimaufry of notions………….page 12 APPEAL: Your memories of Roger Jones………... page 12

“Place strategy”

SOME NEW for investment and change, but also acting as a leadership and influencing tool that will help co- CHALLENGES ordinate the activities of a range of partners and from agencies to support economic growth, and the wider well-being of our communities.” the Society’s The Civic Society is recognised as one of the Chair, agencies that can help inform and deliver the Place Maxine Strategy. So, I hope you have already completed the questionnaire about it I sent out with my most Melling … recent e-bulletin. If not, please do send yours now, or ask me for a copy to be sent in the post to you. In addition to the questionnaire, members of hat do we want Cheltenham to be like in the Society have meanwhile been contributing to a 2040? number of workshops on subjects such as public W Do we want it to be much the same art, tourism, branding and culture. All of this work as it is now? Do we need to encourage more young will come together in a first draft of the Place people to settle here? Do we want more public art Strategy to be considered by CBC on 27 March. and festivals? Should we be a tourist attraction? In June, we plan to run a conference where the How can businesses be supported to flourish? What draft Strategy can be considered and further needs to be done to achieve any of this? feedback provided. Watch this space! These and many similar questions are currently being considered as part of the development of a Civic Society Executive Committee ‘Place Strategy’ for the town. The development is being led by Tracey Crews, Director of Planning at In December, three long standing and valued Cheltenham Borough Council (CBC). members of the Committee stood down. I’d like to Tracey says this: “Destination Cheltenham is the say a big ‘thank you’ to Douglas Ogle and Cecil tagline of the Place Strategy. I see the Strategy as the Sanderson for all their excellent efforts on behalf start of a process of defining place, testing this, and of the Society. Then, in February, we heard the sad re-inventing the town, with our local communities, news of the death of the third member, Roger to create opportunities for new investment, and Jones, whose contribution was outstanding and open up options for funding. We have started a tireless, and knowledge of the town second to none. conversation about these ideas with a variety of He will be sadly missed. (See page 12.) groups – stakeholders across the borough.” In February, we are delighted to welcome a Those of you who saw my February e-bulletin new Committee member, Duncan Smith, a former will have read my definition of ‘place-shaping’: Mayor of Cheltenham. Duncan has impressive recognising the importance of creating and financial credentials, with experience of chairing a nurturing liveable towns and cities. In CBC’s own charity finance committee. So I’m very pleased he words, “Cheltenham has all the key ingredients for a has agreed to take over as Society Treasurer when liveable town: an extensive cultural offer, attractive our long-standing Treasurer, Lloyd Surgenor, steps built and natural environment, and wide-ranging job down in the spring. Many thanks to Lloyd for his opportunities. But this offer is not consistent for all, work on our behalf, and welcome Duncan! nor does it necessarily reflect the preferences of our We are always on the lookout for members communities, businesses and visitors.” who would like to act as Trustees, and contribute to The objective of the Place Strategy, as the success of the Society. If you have the skills, explained by Tracey, is to “draw together the interests and enthusiasm, please do let me know. strands which impact on defining Cheltenham as a I’m always happy to meet to talk through place, acting as a vehicle to help join up resources what’s involved, or for a chat at one of our events.

A WARM WELCOME TO OUR NEW MEMBERS:

 Jim Markland  Julia and Colin Smith  Lionel Hurst  David and Linda Stevenson 2  Geoffrey and Linda Pratt  Duncan Smith  Tess Beck and Nic Pehkonen

Diary dates

Even if you are not a member of the Society, Captain Skillicorne remains elusive. Our view of you are warmly invited to attend these events: him is coloured by his astonishingly long memorial in St Mary’s minster (essential reading Tuesday 7 March before you hear this talk!). AGM and Open Forum But how accurate or complete is Maxine Melling will give feedback on the Place this marmoreal memoir, erected many Strategy questionnaires, and Alec Hamilton will talk decades after his death? James briefly about future plans for Our Town. Hodsdon (right) has been back to basics, checking out records of all  7. 30 p.m. 13 Lypiatt Terrace, GL50 2SX descriptions, to uncover a much fuller,

richer, even darker story. Wednesday 19 April Skillicorne may have had good fortune in The Civic Awards arriving in Cheltenham when he did, but his success Each year Civic Awards are made by the Society on was no accident – persistence and patience played behalf of the Borough Council, to encourage their part. His invigoration of the fledgling spa was improvements in the town’s built environment. a genuinely remarkable achievement, coming as it The Awards Committee reports there has been did after forty years’ seafaring that most would have a very good selection of projects submitted this year thought sufficient ground for easeful retirement. in all categories: new build, environmental (Any member who can declaim Manx verse, improvements, restoration, and shop-front design. please contact James for an audition.) The Mayor and our guest  7. 30 p.m. 13 Lypiatt Terrace, GL50 2SX speaker, Simon Bradley (left) co-editor of The Buildings of Tuesday 6 June England (the ‘Pevsner Guides’), will be in Behind the scenes at attendance. Simon Bradley will give a talk at 7.30 pm. on ‘The Pevsner Architectural Guides: Past, Present and Future.’ All members are welcome to attend both the awards ceremony and the evening lecture.  Civic Awards presentation: 5 p.m. Harwood Hall, Christ Church, BBC Malvern Road, GL50 2JH (N.B. New time and place.) Exclusive behind the scenes access to places not  Simon Bradley’s lecture: normally open to the public. Tea, coffee and 7. 30 p.m. at the same venue. biscuits will be served at the start of the tour. After meeting our tour guide in the Hall of Fame, we will Tuesday 9 May visit the stables (below), weighing-in room, ‘From Sea to Spa’– Grandstands, and executive boxes. To book your place, complete and return the application form The Life and enclosed with your copy of Our Town. Times of Captain Henry Skillicorne Though much spoken of in 2016 - the year of the

Spa tercentenary - the ‘real’ BBC 3 3 2 ‘In the public eye’

n 7 December (in case you cultural developments, to missed it) a capacity comprehensive town planning audience attended the schemes. O2016 Paterson Memorial Lecture. The Particularly exciting was a speaker was Glenn Howell, principal proposal for a colourful and of Birmingham- and London-based imaginative ‘mini-Manhattan’ Glenn Howell Architects, who gave a housing project on a tongue of land fascinating and well-illustrated jutting into the Thames, and the account of the thought processes redevelopment of Birmingham’s involved in the creation of historic Paradise quarter (below). contemporary architecture. We were given a fascinating Established in 1990, the practice account of a number of these has built up a wide reputation for its projects from initial client brief to handling of projects to enhance and enrich the completion, Glenn explaining how the practice’s general public’s experience in either visiting or using design philosophy ensured that each project was not a wide range of facilities. only fit for purpose, but was very much influenced Notable among them are highly acclaimed local by its physical and historical environment. sites: Gloucester motorway service stations and the Stihl Treetop Walkway at Westonbirt Arboretum. Further afield, the award-winning Savill Building in Windsor Great Park (below), and the

His account of 1 Bayshill Road retirement apartments, currently under construction, brought us very close to home. The audience was particularly intrigued by Glenn’s description of the structure and working methods of his office. Glenn is no ‘overlord’ and, although he is largely the originator of a scheme, the National Memorial Arboretum Building (bottom). design team all have an equal say in its development But these projects, which formed the basis of and realisation, in what is obviously a relaxed and Glenn’s talk, proved to represent only one part of informal work environment. the practice’s portfolio, which encompasses Following a lively exchange of questions and everything from one-off homes and commercial and answers, there was a definite ‘buzz’ during the drinks reception – Glenn just tearing himself away in time to make the return train journey to Birmingham. He proved an entertaining lecturer, and his enthusiasm, easy-going manner and ability to engage with a largely lay audience were particularly well received, the general consensus being that this was the best and most stimulating Paterson Memorial Lecture to date. Douglas Ogle 4 “MY DREAM CHELTENHAM”

No 4: Forward to the past

Yet another dreamer! This time, it’s Society member Richard Woolley, whose dream is rich in nostalgia. In his time machine he would wind back the clock to rebuild demolished architectural delights. But he looks to the future too…

orn and raised in Cheltenham, I absconded at the age of 19, and returned just three years ago after an absence of 50 years. B Why return? Because our town is a joy. There have been losses of course, some tragic. Whilst destroyed buildings may not always have been gems, their loss is rather emphasized by the architectural poverty or mis- placed style or wrong scale of their replacements. I think of Wards, and the Grammar School in the High The New Club – demolished 1970 Street, the New Club in the Promenade, St James’s railway station - that has left us with a grubby little run-down station far from the town centre. Recently we lost the Gaumont cinema in Winchcombe Street (later the Odeon). When it was built, this was a courageous step into contemporary architecture. Now, in its place, we are back with same old, safe old Regency pastiche – what an opportunity missed. The once great Black and White coach station at North Place has become a car park wilderness, leaving us with a few ‘facility-lite’ bus stops in Royal Well. I hardly need mention the Eagle Star building! At a stroke it destroyed almost all sense of scale in the town. But for me the biggest tragedy has been the heartless, unfathomable vandalism that destroyed the glorious façade of Cavendish House. Despite the losses, my overall impression is one of betterment. In the post-war years, many of our Regency buildings suffered from lack of maintenance. With greater affluence has come commensurate investment in the products of the paint English Heritage industry. Many buildings The Gaumont in 1933 – demolished 2014 that have escaped the developer’s eye seem to be transformed: they shine and glisten in the sunshine. Would that the same could be said of the Municipal Offices! High Street pedestrianisation is an improvement, as is the building of Regent Arcade – despite the sad attendant destruction of the old Plough Hotel. The new Regency buildings in Imperial Square and Montpellier Spa Road – which some damn as ‘pastiche’ – seem to me beautifully to reproduce the best Cavendish House in 1897 characteristics of the originals in locations where they belong. My dream for the future? Very modest. Our greatest asset, the Promenade, is virtually dead in the evenings from Imperial Square northwards. Nonetheless it has, on its west side, the most glorious of our Cheltenham terraces. It should exude life. That means people. I would like to see it either returned to dwellings or converted to a first-class hotel. Lights ablaze, people moving around: that sort of thing! Richard Woolley The image of the New Club is reproduced from Sue Rowbotham & Jill Waller, Cheltenham Then and Now (The History Press, 2012), p 28 5 ♥ ♥ Hearts of Oakley ♥ ♥ Stresses, strains – and successes: from an unexpected quarter

by Fiona Clarke

ur third ‘Cheltenham village’ (following on from and St Paul’s in previous numbers of Our Town) is Oakley – the name since 2010 for what used to be Whaddon, O Lynworth and Priors. We spoke to Community Minister Revd James White, who arrived just a year ago, and Lyn Robertson, who has been involved in Oakley for over twenty years.

his is an amazingly strong and supportive community,” says James White (below, left). “My first curacy was in a tough part of London – Croydon. I came here expecting those same urban attitudes – but not a bit of it. “Oakley is friendly and open – a long way from its bad, old reputation. Children play on the street Tand walk to school in safety. And the schools are great – Oakwood is a real beating heart. New people are moving into the area now. Some who grew up in Whaddon are moving back with their young families, because there is such a sense of community.” The Cornerstone Café sits alongside St Michael’s church (below, right) – you can see into the church by an internal window between the two. “We are here to help the community provide whatever the community tells us it needs – we have a homework club, toddler groups, and lunch club to name but a few. “We are doing so well we are running out of space. It’s a great place to meet and chat and discuss. We have 70 people for our monthly ‘Café Church’ – we only get 20 for other services!” The closure of the Cat & Fiddle pub in 2009 means there are very few places to get together. “The Cornerstone is becoming a hub. We have just one paid member of staff, plus a cleaner, Revd James White and me. Everyone else is a volunteer.”

Just around the corner

How does this fit in with other local resources? A few hundred yards away is the Oakley Community Resource Centre (opposite, centre), in a building owned by the Borough Council (CBC) and managed by Lyn Robertson (opposite, top): “We try to work together, always aiming to improve life here in Oakley.” Last St Michael’s church and the Cornerstone Café October, the two organisations that had provided local community services since 1998 (Oakley Neighbourhood Project and Oakley Regeneration Project) had to close. The Community Resource Centre survives. Lyn says, “I’ve been volunteering here for twenty years, and I’m also a long-standing trustee of Oakley Residents Association. So I applied for the new post here – Community Building Supervisor – and got the job. Now I am doing my best to re-build some of the services provided before. They are now all run by volunteers, or other charitable groups – we’re getting there.” 6 There is a job club (now back up to five mornings a week, having been down to two); maths and English help; computer drop-in; financial advice, and a food bank – the only one in the area. Shockingly Lyn reckons 40% of the households in Oakley are having to choose between food and heating. “Some of that is down to sanctioning – people are denied benefits for all sorts of reasons. Families are on low incomes, and zero hours contracts. It’s hard.” Another problem is transport. Oakley is about to lose its nearest medical centre at Prestbury; then it will be two bus rides each way to the nearest, at St Paul’s: “A satellite GP surgery or a practice nurse would make a huge difference!” In addition, there is simply not enough for 11-16 year olds to do: “The Youth Centre operates only two night a week. We are trying to start a Minecraft Club, and Wii sessions too. The play equipment in our park is inadequate. We need a scooter/skate park.” Lyn is now seeking sponsorship from the private sector to keep major activities Lyn Robertson going – the annual soccer tournament/summer holiday sports activities. “And we run community events - Easter Egg Hunt, coach trip, Hallowe’en and Christmas Fayre – all the proceeds go back into the community.” In Our Town 5 (December 2015) Tim Atkins, CBC’s Managing Director of Place and Economic Development wrote: “At a time of dwindling public funds… we need to be more encouraging to new ideas and new ways of working. There are fewer resources with growing expectations.” It is startling to see how these words reflect the demanding world faced by Oakley. The community spirit is strong but resources are stretched far too thin. James and Lyn see many opportunities for co-operation. It is early days but, with such optimism and energy, we see them both going places, as individuals and together.

Oakley Community Resource Centre

Oakley play areas: Clyde Crescent (far left), Whaddon Rec (left)

Oakley is doing OK – but, with help, it could achieve even more. If you can offer professional advice, practical help, or financial support, including sponsorship, or would like to get involved in community initiatives in Oakley, contact Lyn Robertson at [email protected] or call 01242 516960. 7 Opinion 1 Reader’s letter n the one hand, it’s gratifying to get a response from our readers – and all the more so, when, as in this case, it’s a non-Member writing. On the other hand, this is no bouquet. It’s a highly critical list of points where the author feels – and strongly – we are failing. O Call it what you will – a wake-up call; a sock on the jaw; a valuable corrective to our collective complacency. Point 6 is especially damning. See for yourself. As the author wrote, “I would like you to publish my views in the hope it will spark a debate. Publish and be damned!”

I came across the Civic Society’s Our Town publication, and note that the Society “is working to keep Cheltenham a great place to live.” It probably is for the well-heeled members of the Society who most likely live in splendid Georgian houses. What about the rest of the town’s population, who live in less salubrious surroundings, in the dreary, badly-planned suburbs? I suspect they do not share the feelings of your members. Nowhere in the publication is there any mention of some of the drawbacks of living in Cheltenham. For example: 1. Air pollution. In my garden in the Reddings, when there is no breeze, you can smell the pollution from traffic. Is the Society aware of this major, health-threatening hazard? If so, what action have you taken to make people aware of it? 2. Has the Society considered the scandal of houses being built with garages too small to contain a car? 3. Cheltenham must be about the worst place to drive in, with the prevalence of hundreds of pointless speed bumps. No evidence has been produced to show they reduce road accidents. Indeed, they cause accidents by motorists swerving to avoid them. 4. One reason for the high incidence of road casualties is the absence of speed cameras in Cheltenham and throughout Gloucestershire. They are the greatest deterrent to speeding. 5. Street lighting is poor, not only in the town centre, but in the outlying areas of the town. 6. Having read Our Town I have no confidence that the Society is a major force in making Cheltenham a safer, healthier place in which to live. Ernest Lawson, The Reddings We would greatly welcome your response – whether refutation, agreement, delight, or counter-blast. ______

Opinion 2 The Road Less Travelled John Henry, Chair of the Civic Society’s Planning Forum, ruminates on proposals for change.

In the fable, the ass stands equidistant between two identical bales of hay, one to its left and one to its right. Unable to choose between them, he eventually starves to death. I like to imagine a 21st century ass – probably a robot – standing at Boots Corner in a couple of years’ time, unable to decide between the fleshpots of the Brewery Quarter to the left, or the charms of the John Lewis store to the right. (The paradox in all this is all this new development vying for our attention just when we are doing more shopping online.) How far will these two schemes change the dynamics of the town centre? A John Lewis store in Cheltenham is on almost everyone’s wish list, with it perhaps fulfilling the role once taken by Cavendish House. Situated well away from the Promenade, it should act as a draw along the High Street – in a way that the Beechwood Arcade never achieved. What about its design? Architecturally, the Planning Forum is not convinced the gothic-type style is necessarily appropriate for Cheltenham, though it seems a standard John Lewis format. And we preferred it to the undistinguished Regency-style façade recently re-done on Regent Arcade’s High Street entrance. Will its new High Street access draw people towards the Brewery Quarter? For my money, the entrance looks as if it is flanked by two beached ocean liners. It has two weaknesses: the lack of any distinctive Cheltenham character, and no feature of a sufficiently human scale to draw one in. My ass will probably head for John Lewis – though if he were really starving, he might do better at the Brewery Quarter! John Henry 8 2 Opinion 3 Car p arks –

barriers or gateways ?

We love a bit of controversy. Here is a highly personal view of car parks by member Adrian Phillips

ar parks? Who cares? You have to have town more enjoyable. To use a current buzzword, them. No-one expects them to be they add to the sense of ‘Place’, and tick a number beautiful – merely functional. of sustainability boxes. Here’s what could be done: C This sort of thinking, in my view * Plant trees and shrubs around the perimeter, and (writes campaigner and Society member Adrian between parking spaces. Phillips), is a curse. And in a town like ours, whose * Create clearly marked, safe pedestrian walkways. economy is so dependent on tourists, visitors and * Use robust materials for surfaces – and maintain shoppers, a big mistake. them well. Car parks are like shop windows – gateways to * Design drainage so rainwater soaks away, and the town. But look at Cheltenham’s – for example, does not cause flooding. at Bath Terrace (off the Bath Road shopping street), * Erect a canopy for solar panels over some of the Chelt Walk (by Jessop Avenue), Sandford Lido, St parking – and use solar lighting James Street and Royal Well. They are all much * Provide space for informal market trading stalls. used, but they are ugly, cheerless, unfriendly, often * Replace re-cycling skips with re-cycling areas, dirty, litter-strewn, and even sometimes flooded where material can be stored underground. when it rains. If we think about them at all, it is to A pioneer project along these lines was recently complain about the expense of parking, and then proposed for the Bath Terrace and adjoining leave them as fast as we can. Commercial Street car parks, designed by Illman Yet car parks – along with the railway station Young, experienced Cheltenham-based, eco- and bus station – are the first places where visitors conscious landscape architects. But it was dropped experience the feel of the town. Yes, they generate because of opposition from some traders who income for the Council, and accommodate (often feared the changes might affect business adversely. awkwardly) our cars, but they do nothing for the Yet a clean, safe, bright and friendly streetscape can look of the town, or our image. Cheltenham prides surely only be good for shopping footfall. itself on its beauty and elegance – its car parks let Happily, CBC is now reviewing all the town down badly. “Regency Cheltenham Car its car parks. Let us hope they look at Parks”? I don’t think so. them not merely as low-cost revenue- It does not have be like this. In other towns in earners, but ‘shop windows’ for the Britain – like Marlborough and Cirencester – recent town that need to function well and initiatives have shown that car parks, while look good. remaining functional and practical, can raise the quality of the environment, and make a visit to the Adrian Phillips

“All the car parks…have a role in setting the tone for the town in terms of the quality of its environment, and its sense of place. In this respect, all of the car parks fail to provide an attractive and welcoming sense of arrival to Cheltenham.” Feasibility Study in association with proposed works for the Bath Road Car Parks, Illman Young, September 2016 9 ‘How it looks to us’: a word from our corporate members

A few years ago, Roger Woodley, then Chair of the Society, had the idea of recruiting some of the leading business and professional organisations in the town as ‘corporate members’. He brought on board five. We thought it time we gave all five an opportunity to give us their view of how they would like to see things develop in Cheltenham. Meanwhile our new Chair, Maxine Melling, has been to meet them: “We value our corporate members and the different voices they bring to the Society, so I want to ensure we give them all an active role in our work developing ‘Place Strategy’ and our vision for the future of Cheltenham.” Here they are in reverse alphabetical order (we tossed a coin!):

Willans LLP solicitors 2017 marks 70 years since Willans opened for business in Cheltenham: our beautiful Regency offices overlook Imperial Square gardens – as much a part of our heritage as of our brand. Our town is a beautiful place to live and work – but it has to be more than just beautiful. Thriving businesses are the lifeblood of any community, and we must never lose focus on the need to accommodate and attract new businesses – and make sure the many businesses that call Cheltenham “home” want to stay here. We are acutely aware that we have a huge stake in the prosperity of the town: social, cultural and economic. We aim to contribute in many ways – by our involvement with local charities, for example, and through our responsibilities as a local employer. Being a corporate member of the Society is an extension of all that: engaging in the debate about Willans in Imperial Square the town’s future development. We want to keep it vibrant and special for at least the next 70 years!

University of Gloucestershire We are proud of our history here – our origins in Cheltenham date back nearly 200 years. Our plans for the future are set out in our ‘strategic plan’, which has at its heart one word: Transformation. Not just transforming the lives of our students: Transformation is central to how we see our role in the town. A successful university can contribute massively to Cheltenham’s well-being: in voluntary and community activity; arts and culture; bringing in talented people to study and work here – and in spending power! Our community commitment is expressed in many Events Management students working with children at the Jazz Festival ways: 40,000 hours of volunteering by staff and students over the last three years; 420 students training to be teachers; and £40m spending power our staff and students bring to the economy each year. Now we are developing new expertise – cyber security, nursing and the new Higher Degree Apprenticeships. We want to make a big contribution to the success of Cheltenham: that’s why we were pleased to become one of the first corporate members.

The Everyman Theatre The brown signs say ‘Regency Cheltenham’ – but the Everyman opened as The Opera House in 1891, so is firmly Victorian! And a The glorious Everyman auditorium 10 fine example of Frank Matcham’s brilliant take on exuberant theatre design. Yes, our lovely building reflects Cheltenham’s reputation as a place for fun and entertainment – we present over 600 performances a year, and sell over 180,000 tickets, from pantomime to Shakespeare by way of opera and stand-up comedy. But the Everyman also plays a key role in the town’s future: presenting performing arts for all of Gloucestershire, and offering all kinds of opportunities for local people to take part in youth theatre, choirs and dance. And we attract visitors who spend money in restaurants, shops and hotels. And we make the town yet more attractive to businesses’ prospective employees too. Being a member of the Society is an excellent way of being involved, and influencing how Cheltenham becomes an even better place to live, work and invest.

Crowe Clark Whitehill, accounting, audit and tax advisors. We became a corporate member of the Society because we want to ensure the town’s heritage is maintained and stays ‘fit for business’. In recent years several office buildings in Cheltenham have been converted for residential use. Office space has decreased significantly – which means businesses wanting to expand face a daunting problem, as do businesses looking to relocate. Cheltenham needs high quality office space – yet it must fit in with the town’s infrastructure, and be sympathetic to our heritage. We firmly believe that, by working with those who want to ‘keep Cheltenham a great place to live’ (as it says on the front of this newsletter), we can be effective participants in shaping the character of the town. Crowe Clark Whitehill’s Montpellier offices Cheltenham Ladies’ College Protecting Cheltenham’s distinctive architecture and individuality should, we believe, go hand-in-hand with encouraging development, welcoming entrepreneurship and embracing diversity and innovation. We want to ensure this is a town for old and young to enjoy together – for only then can we be greater than the sum of our parts. Inclusivity, debate and joined-up thinking will help overcome the social, economic and cultural challenges of the future, and enable us to live and work in a thriving town we can all be proud of. This is an inspirational place to live and work. Health, education, business and cultural attractions have been at the heart of Cheltenham’s energy and growth for three centuries. We want to see that continue, and more – to extend the reach and impact of all the great things our town has to offer.

Salubritas et eruditio 11

Brainwaves Miscellaneous ideas, notions, suggestions, comments, inspirations, bees in bonnets and hobbyhorses

How many Restaurants can this Town take? “Twinning” While our ace reporters were working on the article “Cheltenham is quite a beautiful small town (in parts), offering on Oakley, a thought occurred: Oakley play areas nearly everything you could desire, especially restaurants. stand in need of better and new equipment: “I've lost count of the number ofaction ‘eating houses’ from which meanwhile in £500,000 has been spent by to choose. I can travel the world from UK to China, and further afield. The choice of food is marvellous. Problem is, in my opinion, there are just far too many restaurants. “Now I hear planning permission is being sought for more restaurants at the old BHS site, including a rooftop restaurant. Quite a novelty - very continental. “To continue the continental theme, how about an indoor market in the ground floor area, selling fresh vegetables, fruit, the borough and county councils, plus fundraising fish, meat, etc? I think that would be welcomed by the increasing by Friends of Pittville, to create a state-of-the-art, number of residents living in or near to the town centre. Many family friendly play area second to none in England. Light bulb! Wouldn’t it be great if knowledge people would be happy to stroll to a well-run indoor market to gained by Pittville in getting this amazing play area choose fresh food for meals to prepare when they’re not eating in to happen, were to be available to the people of restaurants. Don’t you agree?” Lesley Whittal Oakley – whose need is every bit as great? That’s when we came up with idea of “Internal Twinning” – the notion that bits of Cheltenham should get together to share knowledge and learn from each other. (You might prefer to call it “Community Mentoring”.) There must be other ways in which this idea could bring benefits. In Our Town 7 we are planning a feature on Friends of Parks – and here again experience and knowledge could be shared. Patronising? Do- A Spoonful of Sugar gooding? You can call it that. We think it’s good neighbourliness that makes a town work. Let’s Are there too many restaurants? What would you like to see at the BHS site? extend that across all our communities. Send your thoughts to [email protected] To find out more and take this forward, e-mail [email protected]

Roger Jones CIVIC SOCIETY CONTACTS

Maxine Melling (Chair): chair@... James Hodsdon (Hon Secretary): enquiries@... Lloyd Surgenor (Hon Treasurer): treasurer@... Richard de Carteret (Membership): membership@ Lesley Whittal (Events): lwhittal@... Bruce Buchanan (Civic Awards): bbuchanan@... Cecil Sanderson (Blue Plaques): csanderson@... John Henry (Planning Forum) planning@... Phil Collins (Parmoor House) parmoorhouse@... The sad news of the sudden death of long-time Civic Society Alec Hamilton (Our Town editor): newsletter@... ….all followed by Committee member Roger Jones leavesOur a gap Town in many7 aspects of Cheltenham life – music, church, local history. We cheltenhamcivicsociety.org.uk Registered charity No. 1166580 are planning a celebration of his life in . If you have memories of Roger’s life in the town, please send them to the Editor by 15 May. We are especially keen to have some 12 memories of his journalism; and we need good photographs. Send to [email protected]