ACO BRANCH NEWS ACO membersmeet GertrudeJekyll in Godalming. penetrate the walls of these secret enclaves. The rediscovery and current conversion of Oriel's lost real tennis court, illustrated in an engraving of 1675, gives John Ashdown a weekly session of CPD. It's 'Build and Design' by the college's bursar, a Royal Engineer, rather than Design and Build, so the weekly site visits work to a different set of rules: they learn as they go along! Equally controversial, bur more successful, was the insertion of study bedrooms into the attics of the north quad of Magdalen College. The Oxford Planning Committee deliberated on site on whether to allow Robert Potter's dormer windows to be inserted into the outer face of the roof. They decided to ignore the gables proposed by English Heritage. John's department insisted on the preservation of a medieval roof truss in situ. Russian marks were clearly visible on the 19th century Baltic pine A frames adapted co increase headroom. Let's hope the undergraduates appreciate the quality of their new environment, also enhanced by the timeless quality of the newly lime-washed cloister. The Golden Cross Inn, off Cornmarket, proved a very special haven and drying-our place. Two painted 16th century rooms aroused animated discussion over repainting versus conservation. The fantastic black and white pattern, inspired by Raphael's Groresques in the Vatican (a local version of a Renaissance pattern seen all over Europe), were repainted by George Nutt after their discovery in 1948/9, allowing us to see the overall design. Recent conservation work only involved cleaning the paintings on canvas and plaster and installing protective screens co a British Museum design for CONTEXT 36 Pizza Express, the present owners. The riches of Wadham and All Souls chapels, especially the latter's Thornhill type screen and marvellous reredos restored by Scott, were dimly discernible. We ended by assessing the late 20th century's contributions co Oxford heritage-neo-Georgian student rooms at Manchester College and post-modern (Conrad Jamieson) at Wadham. A special tour indeed! CeliaClark SOUTH EAST BRANCH The one-day seminar on shopfronts held at Sussex University in early September was attended by over 100 delegates and was very well received. "What is next year's seminar going co be about?" was the assumption made by many members! Behind the scenes, as usual, there were one or two hiccups: our second speaker of the day appeared co have got lose somewhere between London and Brighton, bur in the meantime Dave Stenning was wowing the audience with an animated talk on medieval co 17th century shopfronrs. Nigel Green's session was brought forward and the subject opened up co consider shopfronc design more generally. Thanks to Nigel for an informed talk, and for covering for Alan Powers who eventually won his battle with British Rail and arrived co talk about shopfronts from the 17th to the 20th century. The morning session was completed by Gordon Michell who broadened the debate co include his views on what the 'punter' looks for in the shopping environment. This was generally in direct conflict with the aims of many of our members, including the covering over and privatisation of existing public shopping streets. Our first speaker after lunch was to have been an architect from Eva Jiricna's practice. He never materialised and has nor been heard of since. Perhaps the thought of Conservation Officers en masse was just coo much for him co stomach. As we were running late this actually assisted the timing of the seminar, and Anthony Pound, a developer based in Folkestone, stepped into the brink to explain his design philosophy on the restoration of a shopping street in the town. The revitalisation pr?ject attracted grant aid from English Heritage and the local authority, and has achieved national recognition. Our final speaker was Bob Thomstone on 'The Designer's Role in Town Centre Management Schemes'. His background in journalism, public relations and, more recently, establishing his own graphics and interior design business, provided a further angle on shopfront design. The discussion session at the end of rhe day provoked some very important concerns, not least the impact that the recession is having on the ability to obtain good quality design. Our thanks goes to Rob Fraserfrom Brighton Borough Council who did most of the organising of this very successful day. The other main event in the South Ease was the Luryens and Jekyll Tour in South West Surrey. Nigel Barker from Surrey County Council arranged a day of visual delight for the 25 members attending this over-subscribed event. Having met a waxwork model of Gertrude herself in Godalming Museum (you wouldn't believe she's nearly 150 years old -wonderful skin!), the group moved on to The Red House, a 'fortified' Castle Drogorype design by Lucyens, clinging to a steep hillside in Godalming. The remarkably patient owners have lived in semi-derelict conditions for many years, bur current essential repairs are now underway with the aid of grants from English Heritage, Waverley Borough Council, and the County Council. We moved on to Jekyll's own house, designed by Lucyens, at Munscead Wood. Brenda Lewis, Historic Gardens Officer with Surrey County Council, greeted us. She was in the process of recording rhe garden with voluntary help, and we were able co look around and spot our first satellite dish of rhe day (one of many!), which cook full advantage of Lutyen 's love for prominent gables. Arriving (lace!) at Orchards, we passed the owners as they left for the airport. Internal viewing was nor therefore possible, bur the Jekyll garden looked marvellous in the Autumn sun, and a lot of members were spotted pressing their noses up against Luryens glazing to see inside. Next stop was Tigbourne Court, where we were only due to visit the exterior of the building. However, never underestimate the charm and persuasion of Conservation Officers. An originally reluctant owner threw open her doors, and we were in! Certainly one of Luryen's most confident and original designs. Lace afternoon tea was at Goddards, now owned by the Luryens Trust. This permitted a viewing of the interior of the house and the Jekyll garden, and provided a delightful end to the day. A public house, conveniently located down the lane, allowed further refreshment for certain members who seemed reluctant to leave. They shall remain nameless, of course. Apologies to David Hope, Waverley's Conservation Officer, who has challenged us all to arrange tours of our own Districts in search of satellite dishes on the roofs of Grade 1 listed buildings. Apart from these two Branch events, the three Conservation Officer Group meetings, which are regularly held in rhe counties of Surrey, Sussex and Kent, continue. The Kent Group meeting in October was held at Fortress House, and included a seminar on Building Preservation T ruses. In Surrey, the October meeting was themed on 'Extensions to Listed Buildings'. Development control officers from the county were invited, and two local arch icects provided differing and controversial approaches co the design of extensions. There is a lull in Branch activities as winter approaches, apart from the regular gatherings in the boozer at Rusper. Events being discussed for next year include a seminar on conservatories and a day on Romney Marsh, visiting che churches. Members will be circulated in due course, but if any of you have any inspirational ideas and wish to organise something, please contact me. John Davey LIMEWASH 15 litre tubs white and coloured Bruce and Liz lnduni Redlands, Lydeard Saint Lawrence, Taunton, Somerset TA4 3SE 09847 253 39
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