Quoted from user23.3

We moved on from there to talk about the most historic buildings in NewburyI don't think I know where that is, got a picture?

And you being a Newburian and all!!

Here's a poor picture of it...



You should take a walk up there, if your interested, the road has several very interesting buildings...

Quoted from Meddler

He could always ask his wife. She runs a bit of it

User has a wife?

Quoted from blackdog

User has a wife?

Perhaps we should avoid getting too personal.  I suspect most of us would rather remain anonymous.

Quoted from user23.3

You're saying you didn't post this about the most historic building in Newbury?I and Brian then put forward our suggestions for most historic building in Newbury. I don't see what the problem is.

I did, indeed, post that, I didn't put enough detail in it, I should have also written Town Centre. I thought, as that was what we had been debating, it would have been clear. Another mistake I made, sorry to confuse you.

Ignoring the bickering...

The concept of 'most historic building in Newbury' is an interesting one - not least for the consideration that is needed to define historic.  I would not say that the oldest is necessarily the most historic.

Nor would I say Shaw House was in Newbury - it still isn't, though I suppose Newbury will spread its boundaries that way at some point in the future.

Contenders within Newbury must include the so-called 'Bartholomew Manor' in Argyle Road - a manor is much the same way as the City Mayor was a mayor. Its certainly older that most buildings in the town.  The Litten Chapel is probably the only older. However, there is not a huge amount of history attached to the Manor (or Litten Cottage as it was known for a while). It was leased by Jack of Newbury and his son. but its most important role could have been as the retirement home for Dr Essex Winter.  Without it we would not have the Essex Winter almshouses, even the older building would probably have been demolished by now.

The Cloth Hall has a more interesting history - starting from the Kendrick bequest that paid for it and following through its many roles to its restoration and subsequent use as a museum.

The granary/corn stores - which I always think of as misnamed, they were stores for anything that came and went along the canal, not just grain (in fact they were a bit small to hold much grain).  As such they have an interest, and certainly have visual appeal, but no great events in history can be attached to them.

Other places to consider:  

• St Nicolas' church, built mainly by Jack of Newbury (Newbury's only major historical figure).

• The Bear, Speenhamland; the place Lord Falkland's body was taken to after the 1st Battle of Newbury prior to being taken to his home in Oxfordshire.  Now Gurkha Chef and what was Threshers. Probably the only building left with associations with that battle, arguably the most important historical event that took place in Newbury. Not that I am convinced that the existing buildings were there in 1643.

• The George & Pelican - not the new one, the original - now York House/Thames Court and the buildings to the east up to Jackson-Stops. One of the most famous coaching inns in the country and the place where the infamous Speenhamland System was devised in 1795.  Easily the most important event that took place in Newbury if you discount the 1643 & 1644 battles.

• St Bartholomew's Hospital - or the remaining remnant, King John's Court. A good history back to 1215 even though the buildings are late C17th and much refurbished

• Jack of Newbury' House (Monsoon), the remaining segment of Jack's house and premises. Arguably the first factory in England and a monument to Newbury period as one of the most improtant cloth making towns in the country.

This may be asking too much but would you be able to post pictures of each place you listed?

What was the Speenhamland System?

Quoted from Dig of the Stump

What was the Speenhamland System?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Speenhamland_system

The site of The George and Pelican



What the area looks like now from the front



St Nicolas Church

Thank you Greenham Common.

The display in kennet shopping has models operated by a push button....

Quoted from Gumpo

Dancing bears were popular with my little daughter as well, she hogged the button for a good five minutes.  

It is interesting that youngsters love to push a button or turn a handle to make something operate and our museum could take a leaf from the KS  bears which might make their displays more interesting for the younger people. It could perhaps benefit from some mechanical or illuminated models that would both entertain and instruct. The grant application might be a bit more forthcoming with a structured learning program aided by this style of display.

Quoted from brian

It is interesting that youngsters love to push a button or turn a handle to make something operate and our museum could take a leaf from the KS  bears which might make their displays more interesting for the younger people. It could perhaps benefit from some mechanical or illuminated models that would both entertain and instruct. The grant application might be a bit more forthcoming with a structured learning program aided by this style of display.

Interactive displays are almost obligatory in museums these days - however, the least reliable ones are those requiring electronics. I would be amazed if such items were not included in the refurbishment proposals.

Not having seen the grant application it is impossible to see where it failed - from the press release it seems that more work is needed on the learning and participation aspects of the project. This could mean more involvement from local schools, or from local history societies or getting out and doing sessions in old folks homes. However, I would have expected the consultant they hired to develop this part of the bid to have included all these things. A committment by WBC to hire someone to run this aspect of the museum might convince them (says he suspecting that no such committment is in the existing bid - given the steady reduction of museum staffing over the years).