New man at the helm aims to heal rift (From Bromsgrove Advertiser)

New man at the helm aims to heal rift

12:53pm Friday 3rd July 2009

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(0)

THE new chairman of the Bromsgrove Society has pledged to try to heal the bitter rift that has developed with the district council over the listing of the town's redundant Parkside school.

Speaking after being voted to the post, at the society's annual general meeting at Avoncroft museum last night, architect Ron Skidmore from College Road, who had served a spell as vice chairman, declared: "My aim for my term in office is to renew meaningful relationships with the council on town centre redevelopment."

He also hopes to raise the society's profile, increase membership from its present 602 and encourage young people to take a more active part in society affairs.

The rift with the council blew up after the society successfully persuaded English Heritage to list the school, the site of which had been earmarked for Bromsgrove's new combined fire and police station.

Outgoing chairman Jim Griffith in his report referred to the problems it had caused resulting in the leaders of the district and county councils refusing to meet them over the town centre regeneration plan.

The start of the Market Street toilet refurbishment, and new street market have however, been plus points during the year he noted.

Anne Maguire reported on the successful series of winter talks arranged by the siciety's history group adding it was it was pleasing two had been specific to Bromsgrove.

Treasurer John Rowlands informed the meeting that the society was financially sound and had set aside £7,500 this year to finance new projects.

Member Neville Billington gave a brief account of local arrangements being made to mark the bi-centenary of the birth of William Creuze the Birmingham and Gloucester Railway Company's locomotive superintendent based in Bromsgrove.

Executive committee member John Weston from Breakback was presented with a cash prize for winning a competition for coming up with 'Pride, Preservation, Progress' words to be used as a 'strap advert' on society stationery.

Tony Turpin from Stourbridge Road was elected the new vice chairman and John Sketchley a vice president. The executive committee was re-elected unaposed with the addition of newcomer Pete Lammas from Lickey End.

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(0)