Chairman's Report 2021
After a fallow period, following the restoration of 5 Latimer Street, the Trust has embarked on an exciting but challenging project involving the complete restoration of an important Grade II-listed building in Nursling – Bargain Farmhouse. Purchased from the Barker-Mill Estates last winter, the Farmhouse is a traditional timber-framed and thatched building with three main bays and a fourth half-bay covered by a catslide roof. There are four main vertical oak trusses, largely intact, from which tree ring cores have been analysed which date the building to 1600. Particularly notable, are the remnants of a very rare timber inglenook fireplace with a fine moulded surround. The restoration is being master-minded by Historic Building Consultant, Mr Kevin Stubbs, one of the Trust’s Advisors and speaker at last year’s AGM, to whom we are most grateful for his incisive knowledge-based direction of the work.
Despite long delays in obtaining Listed Building Consent for the repairs to the timber frame and the imposition of conditions requiring protracted negotiations, the programme is progressing steadily and, at the time of writing, rethatching has been completed together with strengthening of the roof structure and fire proofing. Repairs to truss 4 are nearing completion and new sill beams are being fitted to the front elevation, however, important structural repairs to truss 3 are again being delayed while waiting for Listed Buildings Consent. Applications for planning permission to provide a new family bathroom on the first floor, sensitive changes to bay 4 to provide a practical kitchen-dining space and the extension of the rear porch to include a new lavatory are also being delayed. These delays are costing the Trust additional money in what is already a tight budget, supported by a loan from the Architectural Heritage Fund. Despite these delays, it is hoped that the restoration of the Farmhouse will be completed and ready for sale by the spring of 2022.
The Romsey Signal Box is proving even more popular this summer as restrictions have been lifted and people look for places to visit locally. Refreshments are available for visitors in a most attractive garden setting and an interactive experience is guaranteed for all. The forty-year-old staircase up to the Box has recently been replaced with a smart new flight with safety banisters.
On a very sad note, I should acknowledge the important contribution to the Trust by Mary Akerman who passed away in July. Mary was a wonderful support to Dr Frank Akerman, Hon. Secretary of the Trust for forty-five years. Members of the Trust’s Executive Committee are most grateful to Mary for looking after us at the many Trust meetings and dinners held at their home. As judged by the large attendance at Mary’s Memorial Service at Romsey Abbey, Mary is greatly missed and our sincere condolences go out to Frank and his family.
Annual Report
Click on the button below to read the Annual Report and Unaudited Accounts for the year ended 31st March 2021