[library picture]
I have just been looking at the online version of Bath Preservation Trust’s April Newsletter, which certainly made interesting reading.
Trust CEO Alex Sherman made the following announcement.
“Bath Preservation Trust has nominated the former King Edward’s School on Broad Street to be added to the World Monuments Fund Watch List. This iconic building has been vacant since 1991, and despite superficial repairs, it continues to visibly deteriorate.
The Grade II* listed building is already on the Historic England Heritage at Risk Register – a damning indictment for the double-inscribed World Heritage Site, famed for its Georgian architecture and town planning.
King Edward’s School is symbolic of a global phenomenon which sees historic architecture neglected and left to deteriorate. Generating significant local and national interest, the building has the potential to be an exemplar of community engagement to bring it back into condition.
I have spoken to scores of people who have expressed their frustration with the ongoing disregard, offering help and support.
I have written to the owners, Samuel Smith’s Brewery, on several occasions, to ask for the building to be shown the respect and care it deserves, but have received no reply.
Recognition by the World Monuments Fund would bring international attention. Whether this would be enough to provoke action is unknown, but in the absence of other options, any attempts to facilitate change must be tried.
The 25 buildings shortlisted for inclusion on the Watch List will be announced in 2027.”
What about sending a short article to the National Newspapers? Or even the BBC history programmes
In the 60s and 70s the local council compulsorarily purchased hundreds of homes, demolished them and gave us the glories of Balance Street North, Lamparts Buildings, the old Labour Exchange and the Telephone Exchange (soon to be reborn as the Police Station). It was only when outcry against the Sack of Bath reached Westminster that the widespread destruction was curbed. The present council will tell you they have no powers to intervene in this slow burn scandal but perhaps that’s because, having put all their efforts into creating LTNs for their friends and donors, they have neither the wit nor the resources to save this important part of Bath’s disappearing heritage.