20 C O N T E X T 1 1 6 : S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 0 IHBC Annual School 2010 IHBC Annual School 2009 IHBC Annual School 2010 listed building, is still a swimming pool, but maintenance is sorely neglected. It received no medals. A number of the examples were of baths which had sustained a great deal of demolition and alteration to make way for ‘dry sports’ such as gym facilities, and to enable development such as flats. Another main issue was the need to incorporate new mechanical and engineering facilities to modern requirements for most sporting uses. Marshall Street Baths and Kentish Town Baths were cited as examples of schemes that were considered to be going for gold in these respects. Dungavell’s presentation highlighted the challenge of these very special buildings, the strength of local passion required to keep them going, and the need for building owners – mostly councils – to take responsibility for their maintenance backlogs. This presentation highlighted that functioning Victorian and Edwardian swimming baths are such a small and fragile resource that they deserve the showcasing of Dungavell and his colleagues at the Victorian Society. With the impending 2012 Olympic Games, surely they offer a richer and more enjoyable experience than any new building? LouiseWallace London Historic Parks and Gardens Trust It was a relaxed Chris Sumner who introduced delegates to the work of the Historic Parks and Gardens Trust. Known by many in the audience for his long service at English Heritage, London Region, as well as his work as the trust chairman, he shared one of his favourite subjects – the enjoyment of historic parks and gardens. Sumner covered four main issues in his talk: the role of the Historic Parks and Gardens Trust; the London The new restaurant at Chiswick House Open Garden Squares Weekend; planning issues; and, finally, some schemes funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund. The trust headquarters are in a picturesque lodge within St James’ Park. Sumner pointed out that they were in good company, having the country’s most illustrious neighbours – the prime minister on one side and the Queen on the other. He explained the vulnerability of the setting of St James’ Park to tall building developments south of the river at Waterloo and how the trust was active in trying to resist harmful development of that nature. The trust was founded 15 years ago and aims to promote public knowledge and appreciation of historic parks, gardens, squares, community gardens, cemeteries and other green open spaces across Greater London and is a member of the national Association of Gardens Trusts. He explained that, for example, in the 2010 Open SquaresWeekend three prison gardens would be open along with community gardens, allotments, royal palace gardens and even cultivated river barges. A series of delightful slides showed London examples. The BaroqueWater Gardens at Bushy Park
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