The IHBC’s Past President, David Lovie, has used his conservation skills to help support yet another important voluntary local initiative through his contribution to a joint civic-business partnership that restored Robertson’s Pant fountain, a prominent marker in the town centre revived as a feature following some 15 years of redundancy.
David has already used his experience in working with local groups to inform his presentation on community skills at the IHBC’s Day School in Carlisle on 21 June last. At the IHBC’s School he helped guide delegates on the skills needed to work with communities, based on his own long experience as a conservation specialist with particular interests in working with and within local community and neighbourhood groups.
The success at Alnwick marks another part of his wide-ranging contributions highlighting the close ties between conservation and community.
The Northumberland Gazette reports:
A prominent feature of Alnwick town centre is back in full working order for the first time in 15 years.
The imposing Robertson’s Pant fountain in Bondgate Within was turned off towards the end of the millennium when pedestrians complained of being splashed on windy days.
Baimeeut a project to restore the famous Alnwick pants has been spearheaded by Alnwick Civic Society and Alnwick Chamber of Trade and supported by Alnwick Town Council and Bailiffgate Museum.
And, on Saturday, the Mayor of Alnwick Bill Grisdale unveiled the small jet of water , which is timed to squirt during summer days.
Coun Grisdale said: “The quality of our heritage is important to the economy of Alnwick and to jobs. It’s always good to see community groups with different interests coming together and finding common ground which benefits the town.”
Peter Reed, a member of the Civic Society and leader of the pants project, said: ‘Both the Civic Society and the Chamber of Trade came up with the idea of doing something around the pants at the end of last year. They’re attractive and give something else for visitors to look at and we thought they were under-appreciated. We’ve also produced a leaflet so people can read about the history of them.’
Carlo Biagioni, chairman of the Alnwick Chamber of Trade, said: ‘It’s a beautiful fountain and it’s a shame that nobody has seen it working for the last 15 years. The traders of Alnwick hope that initiatives like this will encourage visitors to explore more of the town and add to their enjoyment.’
The fountain will now operate until 4pm every day until September to gauge public opinion before deciding its future.
There is also a social networking link as you can make your feelings known via Twitter by sending a message to @alnwickcivicsoc or @alnwickgazette using the hash-tag #alnwickpants
Northumberland Gazette Article: LINK
