THE WINDSOR AND ETON SOCIETY

Incorporating Windsor Heritage

NEWSLETTER No 114 August2026

NOTE FROM MALCOLM LEACH, OUR CHAIR

It feels as though this dry spell has been with us since our last Newsletter in May and I am sure we all have mixed feelings about it. I just hope it has not affected any of our members. Regardless of the heatwaves, my fellow Trustees have maintained their vigilance and duties on behalf of The Society and I truly thank them for all they so willingly undertake.

The Society has been in existence since 1946 and as you read through this Newsletter you will appreciate we are still doing the same work we always have — looking after the character and history of Windsor and Eton. This year alone that includes:

  • Maintenance of four town gardens
  • The rejuvenation of Guildhall Island
  • Restoration of the King Charles I Execution Warrant

The W&ES also provides:

  • The collective voice of over 300 W&ES members to the Borough Council
  • Regular talks on local interest topics by guest speakers
  • Visits to local historic sites, houses and places of interest
  • A quarterly Newsletter updating members on W&ES activity
  • Our Annual Dinner and occasional Music Events.

We are progressing with our 2026 Forward Plan having recently co-opted Nikki Spohrer to the Executive Committee and made excellent progress with updating our website and social media presence with the help of Liz Reed, our new Social Media guru. You will also notice at the top of this Newsletter that, with Liz’s help, we have updated The Society’s logo to a more modern look that reproduces well in digital printing.

This year we have introduced the options for you pay your 2026-27 annual subscription by Direct Debit or Standing Order, which will make the process of payment so much easier for both you and The Society. We have linked with the trusted GoCardless banking system and your invitation and guide to using this system, and other payment options, is being distributed by email and/or post. In the interest of the sanity of your Treasurer and Membership Secretary, I ask you to please action this at your earliest opportunity.

  • Single Membership: £20 per annum – Joint Membership: £30 per annum

Thank you again for your support to ensure The Society remains on a sustainable footing and can continue its programme of activities and heritage work.

I look forward to seeing you at our events throughout the next few months.

ANNUAL DINNER 2026

The Society’s Annual Dinner 2026, which takes place on Saturday 5th September at The Castle Hotel, Windsor is now fully subscribed. The theme for the event this year is the work undertaken by The Society to identify and protect the area’s Non-Designated Heritage Assets. Those attending will enjoy a welcome drink, 3 course meal and coffee after which we will hear from our Speaker and Guest of Honour, the Lord Lieutenant of Berkshire, Mr Andrew Try.

GUILDHALL ISLAND

COMMUNITY (GIC) UPDATE

Progress on the Guildhall Island rejuvenation has been slow but steady. A meeting on Wednesday 5th August was held to formally appoint the initial 7 members of the GIC Committee, approve the Constitution, and establish a bank account.

Pest Control
RBWM has contributed £499 towards a pest controller to bait the Heritage Garden and surrounding areas. INSX Pest Control has carried out two visits to the Church Street site to lay bait, and according to some business owners, rat sightings have reduced significantly.

Bunting Flags
 We were delighted to receive confirmation of RBWM’s agreement to contribute £499 towards new bunting for Church Street, Market Street and Church Lane. We have purchased rectangular flag bunting, which Paul Hunter installed on 8th August. Feedback has been very complimentary

Heritage Garden
We requested a deep clean of the area to remove last autumn’s eucalyptus leaves and other debris, enabling W&ES volunteers to carry out some gardening and tidy up the space.

Toilets
The Ladies’ and Gentlemen’s toilets beneath the Guildhall have been closed for a few years, and we are pressing RBWM to carry out the necessary repairs and re-open this essential facility.

Market Events
Hamish Denny of The Shambles Café, Chair of the GIC, has reached agreement with RBWM to hold a series of market events through the summer and autumn in the covered space outside the Guildhall, with the aim of raising money for the GIC. The first event, on Sunday 2nd August, was a success, and future events are planned.

We thank Cllr. Mark Wilson and RBWM staff Steph James and Robyn Bunyan for their support in building a strong working relationship with the Borough.

AGM – WEDNESDAY 28TH OCTOBER – 7PM – THE OLD COURT

The Society’s AGM will be held at The Old Court, St Leonard’s Road, Windsor on Wednesday 28th October at 7pm. After the business part of the meeting there will be a talk by Chris Aitken about The Prince Philip Trust Fund, 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.

TALKS

Wednesday 2nd September – 7pm on Zoom
Our new season of talks begins with a talk by Peter Symonds, subject yet to be confirmed

Thursday 8th October – 3pm – The Old Court  
Wine – a talk by Christopher Burr, Master of Wine and a fine wine consultant.

Thursday 12th November – 3pm – The Old Court
Westminster Abbey – this is the third talk in a series by Peter Symonds.

The calendar of future events and additional information on each of the talks can be found by logging onto our website www.wesoc.org.uk

We look forward to welcoming members and their guests at the start of this new season. Whilst talks are free to members we do appreciate if guests could make a donation to The Society in the box on the signing-in desk – or better still – take home a membership form and join us.

GARDENING PROJECTS

The Remembrance and
Charles Knight Gardens

Starting with the good news – the rat eradication work in the Heritage Garden in Church Street has already seen a major reduction in both rat numbers and the evidence of tunnels and burrows. So much so that we are planning a Gardening Group working party on 22nd August to tidy up in the garden ready for replanting as soon as conditions allow.

The Group met on Saturday 4th July in Bachelors Acre to do what we could to weed and tidy in the Remembrance and Charles Knight Gardens. There was a good turn out and both areas were left looking much improved, though still suffering from the continuing lack of rain, as can be seen from the pictures. We must remember to take some photos at the beginning of the session next time as some of the team who turn up and work hard are always left out, as they are unable to stay until the end of the session. It would be good to record their efforts too.

 (photos courtesy of Alison Logan and Ian Haggart)

HERITAGE & ENVIRONMENT

Quarterly Meeting
Our meeting with RBWM Officers took place on 29th July when we asked for an update on the items we had raised at the last meeting some of which were still unanswered. We have also asked for a list of all the properties on Peascod Street, Thames Street and the High Street which have an Enforcement Notice on them. This is so we know which buildings that we have commented on have live notices on them and we can concentrate on other ones we see. Our next meeting is booked for 23rd September.

Windsor Forum
We continue to attend the Windsor Forum to ensure that we are aware of things that people are interested in around the town and to raise issues that affect the residents of the town. Issues that have been raised were the continued infestations of vermin, rubbish and litter. We are attending these meetings as there is no Windsor Town Council, and the Forum is run by RBWM Councillors with no member of the public on the Panel. The meetings are open to all residents, and the next ones are at York House at 6.30pm on 30th September and 2nd December 2026. 

Alexandra Gardens

The state of the Alexandra Gardens has been a concern of the Heritage and Environment Committee for some time. We have written letters of objection to the planning applications for the Wheel and the Ice Rink over the last few years. This is because the applications do not have enough information for the protection of the trees, the protection of the views of the Castle and the reinstatement of the gardens after the events are finished. These letters have resulted in some of the rides being changed or reduced in height to protect the trees.

We are still concerned that the gardens are never restored satisfactorily each year leading to an ongoing degradation of the gardens. The grass is always being compacted by the heavy machinery which makes it even harder for the replacement turf to grow. It is not watered sufficiently which means the grass never establishes.

As the Ice Rink and Fairground rides have been permitted for the next two years subject to the conditions being met there has now been a new application to discharge these conditions before the next season. We will be watching to see when that appears, hopefully with all the required documents in place.

In February 2026 another application was submitted for the Observation Wheel. We wrote on this application because, just like with the Ice Rink application, the required documents for an application to be considered were not submitted. This application is still awaiting a decision and the period requested in the application has almost expired without it in situ.

We will continue to work to protect these gardens

Committee Meetings

The Heritage and Environment Committee continue to note and respond to matters that are important to maintain the historic buildings in the Conservation Areas of the town. We also try to ensure that all planning applications are scrutinised and commented on as and when necessary.

Planning Applications

Letters written after the July meeting

Castle Hotel Windsor, 18 High Street, Windsor, SL4 1LJ – consent to display 2 non-illuminated hanging signs; 2 back illuminated wall mounted menu boards and the installation of 7 non-illuminated retractable awnings. (PA 26/01103/ADV)
Letter sent seeking plain material for the awnings

Upton Lodge, 12 Winkfield Road, Windsor, SL4 4BG – new front porch with relocated front door, single storey side extension, raising of the ridge and eaves to facilitate a loft conversion, new roof with 1 chimney, alterations to external finish and fenestration to include 6 rooflights, 1 EV point. (PA 26/01268/FULL) 
Letter sent seeking new greenery.

3 Queen Anne’s Court, Peascod Street, Windsor, SL4 1DG – subdivision of the existing ground floor commercial unit to form 2 retail units with new shopfront and signage. (PA 26/00902/FULL  Retrospective). 

3 Queen Anne’s Court, Peascod Street, Windsor, SL4 1DG – the retention of 1 non-illuminated fascia sign and 1 non-illuminated projecting sign.(PA 26/00903/ADV)
Letter sent. 
Pending

133 Maidenhead Road, Windsor, SL4 5EZ – part single part two storey side/rear extension following demolition of existing garage and summer room (PA 26/01290/FULL)
Letter sent.
Refused

Letters sent after the June meeting

Telecommunications Cabinet Adjacent To 1 Thames Street, Windsor –application for determination as to whether prior approval is required for the replacement of the existing 5m high street pole with a 6m high composite lamppost supporting 1 multiband omni antenna, the installation of 1 cabinet and development ancillary thereto. (PA  26/01032/TLDTT)
Refused

Land At Junction of Baldwins Shore and High Street, Windsor, SL4 6DB – application for determination as to whether prior approval is required for the installation of 1×7.2m-high traditional Victorian lantern column with a single integrated multiband omni small cell antenna located at 6m, just below the lantern, along with the installation of 1 slim cabinet together with development ancillary thereto.(PA  26/01031/TLDTT)
Refused

Footpath Outside The Boatman Public House, Thames Side, Windsor, SL4 1QN – application for determination as to whether prior approval is required for the replacement of the existing 8m lighting column with a new 8m high traditional Harrogate Victorian column with 1 wraparound cabinet and multiband omni antenna with development ancillary thereto. (PA  26/01033/TLDTT) 
Refused

Letters sent after the May meeting

45 Alma Road, Windsor, SL4 3HH – (T1) Walnut – Reduce height by up to 1.5m and lateral spread on all sides by up to 1m (as shown). (PA 26/00674/TCA) 
Application withdrawn

The Queen Charlotte, Church Lane, Windsor, SL4 1PA – consent to display 1 externally illuminated fascia, 1 externally illuminated hanging sign, 1 internally illuminated menu box sign and 2 non-illuminated poster box signs.(PA 26/00391/ADV)
Previous letter tweaked and resent.    
Refused

Updates to Planning Applications mentioned in previous newsletters

Letters written after the April meeting

131-133 Peascod Street, Windsor, SL4 1DW – outline application for access, appearance, layout and scale only to be considered at this stage with landscaping reserved, for the erection of an extension at first, second and third floor levels to provide 9 residential units with amenity space provision along with associated alterations to existing building following demolition of first floor and partial demolition of ground floor. Retention and reconfiguration of the existing commercial units at ground floor level (Class E) and provision of new shopfront. (PA 26/00611/OUT)
Plans inspected and it was agreed to object on grounds of height and parking. Second letter written in July as new plans were added to the application which we consider does not improve the design. 
Pending

16 Duncannon Crescent, Windsor, SL4 4YP – Part first floor part two storey front/side extension with relocated front door, garage conversion, single storey rear extension and alterations to fenestration. (PA 26/00769/FULL)
Plans inspected and it was agreed to write a letter to protect the tree. 
Refused

Letters written after the March meeting

Alexandra Gardens, Barry Avenue, Windsor, SL4 5JA – Observation Wheel and Refreshments Unit to be sited from 14th March 2026. Open to the public from 19th March 2026 to 6th September 2026 to then dismantle and removal from 7th September 2026. (PA 26/00395/FULL )
No mention of restoring the ground after removal. Letter written requesting the additional information that should have been submitted with the application: Biodiversity, reinstatement plan. 
Pending

Letters written after the February meeting

Old Mill House, Mill Lane, Windsor, SL4 5JQ – T8 1x Lawson and 2x Leyland cypress – fell. (PA 26/00242/TCA)
Not much information is given although photo shows trees are on the river bank and not very attractive. There are more trees to remove than on the application title letter. 
Permitted

The Cottage, Mill Lane, Windsor, SL4 5JQ – T1 Leyland cypress – fell, T2 Sycamore – fell, T3 4x Sycamore – fell, T4 Norway maple – fell or reduce to 6m monolith – T5 2x Tulip tree – crown reduction to a final height of 20m and spread of 12m, T6 Poplar – fell, T7 Poplar – fell, T9 Tree of Heaven – crown reduction to a final height of 17m and spread of 12m, T10 Catalpa – crown reduction to a final height of 17m and radial spread to S of 6m, T11 Lawson cypress – fell, T12 Crab apple – reduce and reshape by 1.5m to a final height of 6.5m (021/2004/TPO) (PA 26/00117/TPO)
Some trees to be felled others managed. Not a lot of information was given but photos show some obvious decay. As 9 trees are to be felled a letter was sent asking for replacement trees to be planted.
Permitted with condition to plant and maintain 4 new trees

Letters written after the November 2025 meeting

110 Tinkers Lane, Windsor, SL4 4LP – subdivision of the existing five-bedroom dwelling to create 2 three-bedroom dwellings with a garage conversion, single storey side/rear extension, alterations to fenestration, refuse and cycle stores, associated landscaping, parking and a detached outbuilding ancillary to the main dwelling (PA 25/01771/FULL)
Concern expressed over the outbuilding in the back garden. Agreed to send single occupancy letter. 
Pending

Letters written after the September 2025 meeting

37 Kings Road, Windsor, SL4 2AD – Cherry Tree – fell to ground level and grind out stump. (PA 25/02153/TCA)
Large cherry to be felled because roots are damaging path and brick boundary walls – leave to Tree Officer but suggest replacement tree? Tree letter sent.
Pending

Letters written after the March 2023 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.
Pending

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. There were further changes to the plans following our letter and one storey was removed from the top of 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. 

MEMBERSHIP

We were pleased to welcome 2 new members during the past 3 months.

You will soon be receiving notification of the increase in subscriptions due on 1st October. Please don’t hesitate to call me if you have any questions about this on 07802 412044

There have been plenty of e-mail messages for you about future local events – especially from Cumberland Lodge. We hope some of these are of interest.

We are always looking for new members and also for those amongst the W&ES members who might be interested in joining our team on the Committee? Please spread the word, and we look forward to seeing you at our Autumn events – our new season of talks, and of course our AGM on 28th October.

WEBSITE & SOCIAL MEDIA

We have been busy bees over the last three months, having adopted the skills of our new Social Media Guru. Liz Reed has helped us redesign the look and feel of our website which was designed and built about 15 years ago. We have a new up-to-date logo cleverly intertwining our famous Windsor Swan and a fresh look to take us forward.

We have introduced a simple but safe method for Members to renew their annual subscription. We are still working on the content of the website and developing other social media platforms to promote The Society with an aim of attracting new members.

LOCAL NEWS

Windsor Forum – The next 2 meetings scheduled on the Borough’s Calendar are Wednesday 30th September and Wednesday 2nd December both at 6.30pm in the Grey Room, York House, Sheet Street, Windsor. 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

Windsor Town Council Consultation – RBWM has opened a consultation on a proposal to create Town Councils in both Windsor and Maidenhead, both of which currently have no Parish Council. The consultation closes on 30th September and more information and a link to the online consultation form can be found through using the website address below:

https://www.rbwm.gov.uk/news/2026/royal-borough-launches-consultation-proposed-town-councils-windsor-and-maidenhead

 

Published by The Windsor and Eton Society www.wesoc.org.uk

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