HERITAGE NEWS 006

First appeared: 23rd May 2013

Sister’s Quarters

We have received notice that as of the 8^th May 2013 the application for the demolition of the Sister’s Quarters at the Old St Bernard’s Hospital complex has been withdrawn. In the run up to this and since we first informed you of the application to demolish, Trustees have met with Ministers Licudi and Linares, the latest meeting being on site, to view outline plans for the school which is still planned for the site. The plans now preserve the Sister’s Quarters and concentrate most of the adaptations to the northern end of the site, where the buildings have been most tampered with in the past. There are some concerns over the architectural style of the additions, but we have been assured that we will be consulted on the detail as soon as plans are available. Other facades and details on the building will be restored. We await further details and will keep you updated on progress.

GHT at the Fortress Study Group Meeting
by Dr. K. Farrell, GHT Chairman

On the 5-6th March Dr Keith Farrell, the Chairman of the Gibraltar Heritage Trust, attended a symposium at the National Army Museum, Chelsea, organised by the Fortress Study Group( FSG). The FSG was formed in 1975 to promote the study of fortifications and military architecture.

This symposium was titled 'Fortifications At Risk 2' and looked specifically at 19th and 20th Century fortifications in the UK, their preservation, restoration and imaginative re-use. Also at the symposium was Dr Darren Fa, a member of the FSG, representing the Gibraltar Museum.

The two day symposium explored the subject of fortifications at risk of ruin and destruction from neglect and vandalism from a broad perspective. The speakers included leaders from English Heritage, CADW( the Welsh equivalent), the Heritage Lottery Fund, senior architects who specialise in listed building restoration, senior members of the Council for British Archeology, security advisers to English Heritage as well as curators of various important military heritage sites in the UK, Germany and Denmark.

Much of what was discussed had a very direct relevance to Gibraltar. What, of course, is unique to Gibraltar is the density of such sites within our small territory. This very stimulating symposium has brought home the sense of the great challenge that it is to adequately manage all Gibraltar’s ex-military heritage sites. There are many academics and enthusiasts particularly in the UK who are hugely interested in our 19^th and 20^th Century fortifications although some are at times critical of our ongoing ability to manage them adequately. Certainly as the owners of these sites we are also custodians of British Military History and perhaps therefore this duty of care should be resourced from other funds with them in some way.

Gibraltar has already been quite imaginative in the re-use of our many casemated  barracks and other fortifications, however we should not be afraid of engaging with specialist architects for innovative ideas. We need to also explore external sources of funding and engage with like minded organisations to form part of the family of bodies focused on British Military Architecture, just as we are already successfully part of the international Neanderthal study community.

What made an impact was the fact that much of the UK heritage scene is maintained by the hard work of passionate volunteers. In Gibraltar that volunteer effort is focused in the form of the Gibraltar Heritage Trust but many hands are needed for such an important job. With the support of the GoG, we are currently working with the Gibraltar Museum to build a framework to support and direct the efforts of volunteers to improve and maintain aspects of our heritage and immediate surroundings. Some sites that need major work or development will have to come under the finance and project management of the GoG or private developers and here the GHT must lead along with the Town Planners and the Heritage Department to safeguard the integrity of such heritage sites for the enjoyment of future generations.

This symposium was well worth attending and the I was very pleased that Dr. Fa was there representing the Museum and the Heritage Agency but I would have liked to have seen other members of other GoG agencies involved in heritage there. A number of useful contacts have been made which we hope to build on in the coming months.

Southport Gates and St Jago’s Arch

We are pleased to report that works have started to repair the section of wall at Southport reported on in our previous e- newsletters.

Work has started at the top of the wall where the improvement is already noticeable (see before and after photos). The works will then continue down the western facade of the wall. The works also include the removal of all creeper and wall clinging plants that have deep root systems. The top of this wall has a further historical interest as this is the site of the original ‘Deadman’s Cemetery’ where the casualties from the Battle of Trafalgar were originally interred before being moved into Southport Ditch and what is today Trafalgar Cemetery. Pieces of tombstones have been used in the construction of parts of this wall and can still be seen there today.

Works are also due to start on the adjacent St. Jago’s Arch.

MOD Integrated Rural Management Plan

We are pleased that the MOD’s IRMP, the drafting of which the Trust was asked for input on, was signed officially by the Minister for the Environment and The Commander British Forces on the 23^rd April. The ‘Conservation Group’ has been set up as an arm of the plan to look at issues of protection of the natural environment and heritage assets within the MOD estate. The Trust has a seat on the group together with GONHS, the Gibraltar Museum, Town Planning and the Department of the Environment. We look forward to this working relationship bearing fruits.

Membership renewals

Renewal forms were mailed out at the beginning of the month. Please take a moment to fill it out and send into the Trust in the Freepost envelope provided.

Painting Competition

The 23^rd Annual Painting Competition took place on Grand Battery on Saturday 11^th May. There were a good number of entries on the day. The judging will take place by a panel of adjudicators and will be announced at the opening of the exhibition of entries at the John Mackintosh Hall on Tuesday 11^th June.