City is honoured for heritage track record

Sep 5 2008 by David Holmes, Chester Chronicle

City is honoured for heritage track record

CHESTER was this week celebrating its track record for preserving historic buildings even though one of its most experienced conservation officers has been made redundant.

Former city councillor Ruth Davidson, of Handbridge, says it is “ironic” that Chester was this week used as the base for the national launch of Heritage Open Days when the Tory-led council let conservation officer Howard Dickenson leave the council under a voluntary redundancy arrangement.

The post has not been filled.

Mrs Davidson, who was the portfolio holder for people and performance under the previous Labour-Lib Dem administration, said: “It is puzzling to local people that while Chester was used as the launch of this heritage initiative and to celebrate Chester’s record in conserving historic buildings, we have just lost a very experienced conservation officer.”

Margaret Hodge, Minister of State for Culture, Media and Sport, was supposed to visit Chester Racecourse to launch Heritage Open days and celebrate Chester’s 40 years of conservation work but she was unable to attend for personal reasons.

Heritage Open Days (September 11-14) sees more than 3,500 historic buildings opened to the public free of charge including 50 venues in Cheshire.

The launch event was attended by the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress of Chester, Cllr Brian and Raewyn Bailey, Maria Adebowale, commissioner English Heritage and Philip Kolvin, chairman of the Civic Trust.

Special guest was local conservation architect Donald Insall whose report “Chester a Study in Conservation” was produced 40 years ago and led to many “at risk” Chester buildings being saved.

Cheshire highlights of Heritage Open Days 2008 include:

Chester Racecourse (September 11). The first official records of horse-racing at Chester date back to the 16th century, making it the country's oldest racecourse. A walking tour will look at current projects.

Chester Rows walking tour (September 12). A walking tour will tell the story of Chester’s unique, 700 year-old, two-tier shopping galleries.

Beeston Castle. Wildlife Discovery Day (September 13): A chance to explore the castle for free and enjoy its acres of woodland and stunning views.

A leaflet giving full details of a range of events is available from the Town Hall Tourist Information Centre, the Grosvenor Museum, the History and Heritage Centre, The Mall, and local branch libraries or at www.chester.gov.uk/heritage