No 102 – August 2023
THE WINDSOR AND ETON SOCIETY
Incorporating Windsor Heritage
NEWSLETTER No 102 August 2023
NOTE FROM OUR CHAIR
Recently my postman was very excited to hand over a letter sent from Buckingham Palace. On your behalf, I sent a message of congratulations to the King and Queen upon their Coronations on 6th May. I received a card and thanks addressed to The Society.
We held a very successful Coronation Tea at the Castle Hotel with Hugo Vickers speaking about mainly the event on 6th May for which he was a presenter for television. We had good audiovisuals to complement a very interesting and informative talk.
I am busy at the moment booking the Annual Dinner in March 2024, again at the Castle Hotel with the theme of D-Day 1944. Next year is likely to be the last major commemoration, given the age of those who took part. The King has requested beacons to be lit and it seemed appropriate to me that The Society reflected upon this anniversary given that Windsor is a garrison town.
I am delighted to report that Alison Logan has agreed to become a Trustee and she is continuing to take the lead on the Heritage Garden plus the Charles Knight Grave and the Remembrance Garden in Batchelors Acre. You should have received an invitation to take part in gardening working parties on 19th August and 9th September. We are seeking to reach an agreement with the Royal Borough over these areas, but this is proving difficult!
Anne Taylor has resigned as a Trustee, and I cannot sufficiently express my thanks to her for all the roles she has fulfilled in The Society. She has given me very good advice and been on hand to be consulted. She does continue to organise visits and I know that those taking part thoroughly enjoyed the recent visit to Leeds Castle when the weather was superb. We still have the visit Kingston Bagpuize to look forward to on 19th September.
Philippa Johnson has arranged a series of talks for our next season beginning in September, some by Zoom and others at our new venue of The Old Court where we can better ensure good quality audiovisuals. We will consider what feedback we receive from our membership as a result of this change.
AGM 2023
MONDAY 23RD OCTOBER – 7PM THE OLD COURT, Windsor
The Society’s AGM will be held at The Old Court, St Leonard’s Road, Windsor on Monday 23rd October at 7pm. After the business part of the meeting there will be a speaker, yet to be confirmed, followed by the usual light refreshments and an opportunity to socialise with other members. The Agenda and further details will be included with the Annual Report which you will receive in September, but please put this date in your diary now. The Trustees look forward to welcoming you to the meeting and hearing your views on The Society’s activities and plans.
CORONATION TEA
On the afternoon of Saturday 24th June just under 50 members enjoyed afternoon tea at the Castle Hotel in celebration of the Coronation. After mixing and chatting on arrival members enjoyed sandwiches, scones and delicious cakes served on 3 tier “golden crown” cake stands. An entertaining talk on the events of 6th May was given by the broadcaster and writer Hugo Vickers, who experienced the day first hand as a TV presenter, and shared various anecdotes from the day. A selection of pictures was also displayed. Thanks go to Margaret Lenton for her idea to have a special tea this year and also for arranging it. Thanks also to the Castle Hotel for hosting such a memorable occasion.
FACELIFT 2022 – LEGACY
Most of you will be aware that The Society did a lot of work in the town centre’s small garden areas to have them looking cheerful and cared for during Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee year. We always intended that this work should continue as it was clear that RBWM was unable or unwilling to look after these gardens properly. We had hoped to come to some formal arrangement with the Borough which would have defined our respective responsibilities, but so far this has not proved possible, and we need to carry on without it.
The Society believes passionately that Windsor’s public spaces should look as tidy and welcoming as possible for guests, workers, and residents alike, so we are compiling a list of people who can be called on to help out in the gardens, both for occasional working parties and throughout the year for regular short tidy up sessions. This is an opportunity for members of The Society to become actively involved in one of our ventures, so if you think you could help, then please contact Alison Logan to be added to a “gardens” mailing list. This list is not restricted to members so, if you know of family or friends who might be interested in helping, then do encourage them to join in.
The first of two working parties took place on Saturday 19th August in the Heritage Garden in Church Street and the second is on Saturday 9th September at the Charles Knight Garden in Bachelors’ Acre at 10.00am. If you can help out with this or any future working parties please let Alison know.
OUTINGS
FUTURE OUTINGS
Tuesday 19th September 2023 – Kingston Bagpuize House, near Abingdon.
There are still quite a few places available for this outing in September. It is not an early start as we are leaving Alma Road Coach Park at 9.45. I do hope more members will join us.
Applications have to be with Anne Taylor by Friday 8th September. Cost – £36 per head. This includes coach fare, entrance to the house and a tip for the driver.
More details are on the attached application form.
Since Saxon times there has been a manor at Kingston though sadly the records are not complete enough to allow a full history to be established. After the Battle of Hastings in 1066, William the Conqueror granted the Manor to Henry de Ferrers. It was then leased to Ralf de Bachepuis whose descendants remained at Kingston for over 200 years. By the time of their departure in the late 1200’s the Manor was known as Kingston Bachepuis, now anglicised to Kingston Bagpuize.
After a brief ownership by Lord Ebury, the house was sold in 1939 to Miss Grace Charlotte Raphael. On her death in 1976, it was bequeathed to her only niece, Jean, Lady Grant, widow of Sir Francis Grant, 12th Baronet of Monymusk in Aberdeenshire. Leaving Scotland in 1979, she lived here with her second husband, the late Lord Tweedsmuir, until 1995 when she gave the house and gardens to Francis, her second son. Today, following Francis’ premature death in 2003, it remains the home of his wife and children.
When Miss Raphael moved from London in April 1939 into her new home, Kingston House, she was already planning a new garden. Sir Harold Hillier, was one of the notable plantsmen who gave Miss Raphael advice and his nurseries provided most of the trees and shrubs planted between 1949 and 1974. The gardens continue to be planted with areas to commemorate family and national events and there are many lovely shrubs and trees.
(The booking form accompanies this Newsletter)
Outings Organiser
The Society is still without a permanent Outings Organiser. Either an individual or a couple could do this job but it really does require possession of a computer and, probably, a printer. It seems that there are less members wanting to go on outings since Covid, therefore organising two, rather than 3 visits per year might be sufficient.
Please contact, Anne Taylor or Margaret Lenton if you think you would like more information.
TALKS
Our new season of talks commences on Wednesday 6th September
Wednesday 6th September 2023 – 7pm – Zoom
Through the keyhole: the homes of William Morris – a talk by Fiona Rose, who is a member of the Museum Collections committee for The William Morris Society. This talk will be of particular interest to members who enjoyed the outing to William Morris’ home, Kelmscott Manor, in April.
Thursday 5th October – 3pm – The Old Court, Windsor
Train tracks to Windsor – a talk by Malcolm Lock on the battle to get the railways into the town and why it is still blessed with two stations.
Thursday 2nd November – 3pm – The Old Court, Windsor
William Herschel, the King’s Astronomer and a key founder of the science today – a talk by Charles Draper
Details of the full programme for the year is enclosed with this newsletter and more detail on each talk is published on The Society’s website .
ANNUAL DINNER 2024
The Society’s Annual Dinner has been provisionally booked for Friday 15th March 2024 at the Castle Hotel. This is our first Annual Dinner since the early part of 2020 when we managed to hold the event just before Covid took over our lives. More details about the ticket prices and the speaker will be available in the November newsletter, but in the meantime please make a note of the date.
HERITAGE & ENVIRONMENT
Quarterly Meetings with the Borough
The HEC had the first of these newly re-established meetings last November but unfortunately the next meeting was not arranged before the Local Election period. We have been trying to engage with officers to sort the date for the next meeting but are yet to get a response. In the past these meetings have enabled The Society to discuss matters that are regarding Conservation, planning, rubbish and fly tipping, and future plans for the towns etc.
Alma Road Development
The site of the Imperial House offices on Alma Road has been sold to a new developer who is planning to build high-end retirement flats on half of the site and family flats on the other half. This proposed development will be higher than the original 7 storey permitted development and would appear to be more closely and densely developed. The developer has held consultation meetings before submitting the application and you may have attended one of these meetings. They propose to submit a full planning application in the next few months, and everyone can make comments about it as part of the planning process. The HEC will be meeting with the developers during August to discuss their plans.
Planning Applications
Letters written after the July Meeting
Land at Claremont Road, Windsor – T1 Horse Chestnut – fell (006/1989/TPO) – (PA 23/01300/TPO)
It was agreed that the tree was dying but a letter was written requesting a replacement tree.
Permitted including clause to replant
39 Green Lane, Windsor, SL4 3RZ – hip to gable and raising of the ridge to accommodate habitable accommodation within the roof space,1 rear dormer, new mono pitch roof to west elevation and alterations to fenestration ( PA 23/01358)
The plans were inspected, and it was agreed that the proposed roof was too high.
Pending
6 College Crescent, Windsor, SL4 3PG –alterations to the roof to include raising of the eaves and ridge to create accommodation within the roof space, 1 side dormer, 7 solar panels and alterations to fenestration (PA 23/01493/FULL)
Pending
The Ridings, St Leonards Hill, Windsor, SL4 4AT first floor link extension between existing house and garage, 1 front dormer, 2 side dormers and up and over glazing – (PA 23/01426/FULL)
Pending
Letters written after the June Meeting
Grasmere, Broadleys, Hale And Winwood and land at Sawyers Close, Windsor – (PA – 23/01090)
Pending
22 Gallys Road, Windsor, SL4 5QY – Part single, part first floor, part two storey wrap around (sides/front) extension (PA 23/01124/FULL)
Pending
King Edward VII Hospital, St Leonards Road, Windsor, SL4 3DP – T1 mulberry – fell(039/1996/TPO) (23/01221/TPO)
Withdrawn
Letters written after the May Meeting
Telecoms Mast on pavement outside Victoria Barracks, Sheet Street – (PA 23/01010 )
Refused
L’Occitane, 9 Peascod Street Windsor SL4 1DT – painting of shopfront and new signage – (PA 23/00933/FULL)
Permitted
The Drury House, 4 Church Street, Windsor, SL4 1PE – (PA 23/00716 LBC)
Pending
Updates to Planning Applications mentioned in previous newsletters.
Letters written after the April Meeting
8 College Crescent, Windsor, SL4 3PG – part single, part two storey front/side extension, two storey rear extension, solar panels, raising of the ridge, 1 rear dormer and alterations to fenestration – (PA 23/00645/FULL)
These plans were inspected, and it was thought the height was out of keeping and the design incongruous.
Pending
Andrew Yard, 48 High Street, Eton, SL4 6BL – consent for repairs to roof of main building – (PA 23/00768/LBC)
Concerns raised over the change of name from The Cockpit to St Andrews Yard and it was agreed to advise RBWM of this. The Society is happy to see the works being carried out properly and hopes that they continue.
Permitted
Land Adjacent The Hatch and South of Maidenhead Road and North of Windsor Road, Water Oakley, Windsor – reserved matters (appearance, layout and sale) pursuant to outline planning permission 22/00934/OUT for the erection of up to 135 new dwellings, areas of public open space including play spaces and pocket allotments, together with associated landscaping, car parking, footpath/cycle connections and vehicular access onto Maidenhead Road – (PA 23/00582/REM)
Letter sent regarding, design, layout, positioning of the affordable housing units, amenity spaces, gated areas etc.
Pending
Land Bounded by Willow Path and The Limes and Windsor Road and Dedworth Road and Oakley Green Road, Oakley Green, Windsor – outline application for access only to be considered at this stage with all other matters to be reserved for the construction of up to 320 new homes, land for a Special Educational Needs(SEN) school, a multi-functional community building alongside an area of strategic open space including play spaces and orchard planting together with associated landscaping, car parking, footpath/cycle connections and vehicular access on to Dedworth Road, following demolition of existing structures – (PA 22/01354/OUT)
Permitted
Letters written after the March meeting
Windsor Yards re-development – (PA 22/02893/FULL)
This application was discussed again in the light of the recent photographs taken, the developer’s response and additional papers submitted. It was agreed that all would view the additional papers after which a letter was sent. This went to April’s Management Panel and was permitted but the final letter is not on the website yet.
Pending
Handelsbanken, Independent House, William Street, Windsor, SL4 1BA – (T1 and T2) Cherry – fell and grind out stumps (004/1994/TPO) – (PA 23/00417/TPO)
It was agreed that the TPO should be enforced – letter of objection sent.
Felling refused/maintenance approved
Land at 20 Firs Avenue, Windsor – the erection of 1 end of terrace 4 bedroom dwelling with associated parking (PA 23/00420/Full)
It was pleasing to note that Highways require more parking. It was agreed to draft a letter supporting this requirement.
Permitted
Church Street Garden
There is a serious problem with rodents in this area and a letter was sent to the Borough seeking input to resolve this.
Letters written after the January Meeting
Windsor Yards re-development – (PA 22/02893/FULL)
These plans had just been submitted but it was agreed that a response from The Society was required. Letter sent regarding the additional two floors on the hotel.
Pending – this was permitted at Panel but there is still no confirmation on the website as there will still be legal matters to sort
Former Windsor Garden Centre, Dedworth Rd, Windsor – details required by Condition 23 (biodiversity enhancements) of Planning Permission 20/01145/FULL for the demolition of existing buildings and structures and construction of a Class A1 discount food store (PA 22/03278)
Letter sent regarding lack of required documentation
Pending
New application to vary Condition 23 (biodiversity enhancements) 23/01481
Letters written after the December Meeting
84 Gallys Road, Windsor, SL4 5RA – garage conversion, subdivision of the property into two semi-detached dwellings and new dropped kerb (PA 22/03086/FULL)
Letter sent regarding the amount of parking.
Refused
Letters written after the September Meeting
110 Tinkers Lane, Windsor, SL4 4LP – subdivision of the existing dwelling to create 2 dwellings, single storey side/rear extension, new outbuilding and alterations to fenestration (PA 22/01894/FULL)
A letter was written requesting that ‘Permitted Development Rights be removed to ensure that there could be no further extensions to these buildings without full Planning Permission.
Application withdrawn
Letters written after the August Meeting
58 Gallys Road, Windsor, SL4 5RA – replacement dwelling with 1 rear outbuilding (PA 22/01867FULL)
Replacement dwelling with 1 rear outbuilding. Letter sent regarding a condition on the need to ask that the PD rights to extend are removed otherwise the owners could extend again.
Pending
MEMBERSHIP
Our membership numbers are building up steadily and we extend a warm welcome to 9 new members:
It is good to see friends of members coming on board, sometimes as a result of attending our events and being invited to join our outings. We offer excellent value for the subscription fee, and there are always events to look forward to. It is also good to keep in touch with you by phone, letter and e-mail. Please let me know if you have any queries on your membership.
Most of you now have a Standing Order set up for your subscription, which is a great help for administration. If you don’t already have one, and would like to set one up please e-mail or phone me, and I will send you a form. – it means I will never again have to chase you for money! If you do not have a standing order please make a diary note to send me a cheque at the end of September, or to pay by BACS:
The Gift Aid Scheme provides valuable income for the Society, and has now risen to around 83 per cent of our membership ! If you are a UK tax payer and have not yet made provision for us to claim tax relief on your subscription, please do contact me, Katie Broady, Membership Secretary, membership@wesoc.org.uk
LOCAL NEWS
Windsor Town Forum – The next 2 meetings are scheduled for Tuesday 19th September and Thursday 9th November, both at 6.30pm.
There is no indication on the Borough’s website whether these meetings are virtual meetings on-line or are to be held at a location so please check the website nearer the dates.
Minutes of previous meetings, the Agenda and dates of future meetings when available, can be accessed through the RBWM website http://www.rbwm.gov.uk