MAY 2009
	NEW HONORARY TREASURER We welcome Mrs. D. Mc Gowan as our new Hon. Treasurer and wish her well as she continues the sterling work carried out to date. The Trust have been extremely grateful to Councillor, Mrs. Maureen Stockwood who took over the role of Honorary Treasurer at short notice, following the sudden departure of our previous treasurer.
	CURRENT PROJECTS
	Thoroton Dovecote. The Trust are currently investigating the restoration of Thoroton Dovecote as the thatching is coming to the end of its useful life. The possibility of replacing the glover that was removed some years ago is also being considered.
	10 Asher Lane, Ruddington. The Trust have completed the successful refurbishment of this small two-storey former knitting-workers frameshop. The works carried out included the repair and restoration of the external envelope and reroofing and restoration of the original fenestration. The project was marked by a ceremony to hand-over the keys of the building to its new owner, Ben Dunning, who has undertaken the restoration and fitting-out of the interior. The ceremony was attended by family members of the previous owner, Mrs Cicely Hind. The Trust acknowledges the help and advice of the Rushcliffe Borough Council officers.
	In addition to the major projects, negotiations on over a dozen other buildings of possible interest have taken place.
	MEETING DATES 2009 Council of Management: Trebeck Hall, Bishop's Drive, Southwell. 2.00pm. Wed 4th March, 3rd June, 2nd September and 2nd December. Projects Committee: Trebeck Hall, Bishop's Drive, Southwell. 2.00pm. Wed 2nd February - other dates to be confirmed.
	NBPT NEWSLETTERS Plans are in hand to add a list of the old NBPT newsletters on this website. The newsletters contain a wealth of information, both historical and informative and much is considered still relevant to anyone contemplating altering their listed building to-day. It is hoped to include some form of index to enable a quick search to be made and it may be possible to include particular subject or topic matter in full.
	ANNUAL REPORT YEAR ENDING MARCH 2008 This has been a significant year in the life of the Trust, for as one of the earliest building preservation trusts in the country, we celebrated our fortieth anniversary. On a glorious day in early October we marked the event with a lunch held at Langar Hall. Not only was this a lovely venue, but it was also a most fitting choice as Imogen Skirving has been a member of the Trust for may years, and also served as Vice-Chairman and Chairman or a period in the 1980's. The occasion was well supported, with over forty members attending - and as so often, Graham Beaumont gave a stimulating illustrated talk on the work of the Trust, focussing in its formation in 1967 and early projects in the years thereafter. The start of this year saw the completion of the sale of 10 Asher Lane, Ruddington. Following the successful conclusion of this project, members of the Trust, together with representatives of Rushcliffe Borough Council and the local community, as well as a number of people with historic links to the property, enjoyed an opportunity in early September to view the restoration and further work being undertaken by the new owner. Since then, attention has turned to Thoroton Dovecote, currently the only building owned by the Trust. Dating from probably the 14th Century, this is the single example of a thatched dovecote remaining in Nottinghamshire, its robust stone walls originally housing 600 nesting boxes. The Council of Management in the autumn took the decision to allocate funding for repair of the thatched roof, and Brian Allebon generously undertook to complete the restoration by providing a glover. We were also extremely grateful to receive a donation of £1000 towards the cost of the project from Councillor Martin Suthers, member for Bingham, under the County Council's EDI scheme. However it has taken some time to secure quotations from suitable thatchers, and insurance for a building whose value is difficult to quantify. Listed building consent will also be necessary for the glover. Together these considerations have led to delay in the project coming to fruition, but we hope that restoration can be completed in the coming year. Since the summer, Graham Beaumont, Alan Wahlers and David Atkins have been closely involved with plans to restore part of the north range of the Saracens's Head Hotel in Southwell. The Southwell Heritage Trust is keen to restore the upper floor of this part of the building, which features a historic crown post roof structure. for use primarily as a heritage centre. The scheme is still at a very early stage, but through Graham, Alan and David, NBPT is providing significant knowledge, expertise and advice in support of what - if successful - promises to be a restoration project of great significance in this region. During this year concerns about a number of other buildings have also been investigated by members of the Technical Panel and discussed at meetings of the Project Committee. These include Kimberley Brewery, Colwick Manor Farm, Manor Lodge, Worksop, the kennels at Kings Clipston, Calverton Folk Museum and Oxton Ice Ice/Cockpit. All will continue to be kept under review. Technical Panel members have also continued to support local councils by making observations in response to planning applications where these have been invited, particularly in the areas of Gedling, Bassetlaw and Mansfield. 2007 also saw the Trust's office move to Southwell. This was necessitated by the desire of our previous landlord in West Bridgford to extend his business, and in ding so, to absorb the room we had hitherto occupied for many years. Finding suitable premises which met our requirements in terms of both space and cost was not easy, and we were fortunate to acqire the one remaining office in Minster Chambers - a convenient venue because for many years both Council of Management and Projects Committee meetings have been held in conference rooms in the same building. The AGM in 2007 was held on 5th December at the Minster Centre in Southwell. Following the formal business and refreshments, members attending were invited to remain as observers at the Council of Management meeting which followed immediately afterwards. It was with sadness that we received Geoff Turner's decision, announced at this meeting, that he would not be seeking re-election as Hon. secretary, a position he has held for some considerable time. Geoff's contribution has been immense: to many people reading this report, his name will be synonymous with the Trust. In his role he oversaw activities in the office, including the work of administrative assistant. For many years he also took on the responsibility of company secretary and prepared the annual report. He organised social events for members and recorded minutes of all meetings of the Council of Management and the Projects Committee. We plan to hold an event later in 2008 to mark Geoff's retirement, and are very pleased that he is both willing to remain on the Council and also to continue to srutinise planning applications received from Gedling Borough Council with whom he has had a long association. Following Geoff's retirement we were delighted that David Atkins agreed to accept the nomination to succeeed him as Hon. Secretary. The Trust is once again indebted to Gedling and Rushcliffe Borough Councils for their continuing financial contribution to its activities. And to those - in particular the members of the Technical Panel - who willingly give their time and expertise on its behalf. It is hard to believe that Marion Edwards, our Administrative Assistant, only joined us just before the start of the year. She bore most of the burden of the considerable disruption caused by the buildfing alterations at our West Bridgford premises prior to the move to Southwell, and we appreciate the energy and enthusiasm which she brings to her role. We have taken steps to extend publicity for the Harry Johnson Award, next due to be staged in 2008, and anticipate increased interest and entries. With these, the restoration of the Thoroton Dovecote and the prospect of continuing involvement in plans for the Saracen's Head in Southwell, we are looking foward to another interesting year ahead. Sue Summers Chairman April 2008

 Page last updated: 01 May 2009