Tower and Town, June 2021

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Editorial

You may have noticed a lot of scaffolding in the High Street recently, specifically on the Merchant’s House and the Town Hall. It is rather unsightly and can be inconvenient when it partially obstructs the pavement. It is also a necessary part of the ongoing process of maintaining Marlborough’s plentiful stock of historic buildings.

I’m sure I’m not alone in feeling very lucky to live in such a beautiful town with so many characterful old buildings. However, modern life has different requirements from its buildings from those of previous centuries and for the historic buildings to last they have to be maintained and have purpose. Preserving old buildings for current and future use, while maintaining their character, is not easy; it requires the skill, imagination and sensitivity of many different people.

In this edition I have had more than a little help from my husband Andrew, an architect, in gathering a series of articles that focus on people who work with expertise, care and enthusiasm to maintain and update our historic buildings. Builder Jason Franklin and trustee Alison Galvin-Wright describe their roles in the upkeep and development of the Merchant’s House. Simon Mills and Andrew Bumphrey relate the distant and recent history of St Mary’s church and their roles in its ongoing care. Pippa Card speaks eloquently of her love of historic buildings and her often misunderstood role as conservation officer. We also get an insight into how Mike and Lesley Fernley have transformed part of the Ropeworks into housing and how Erlestoke Church was also developed into a community centre.

I hope you enjoy this look behind the scenes of Marlborough’s historic buildings.

Sarah Bumphrey