SIR: I write in opposition to John Lauwerys (Chronicle, Letters, January 6) about River Park.

John was employed at University of Southampton (UoS) for many years in administrative roles and although we are of the same generation our views clash on any further incursion of UoS into Winchester.

READ MORE HERE: City council and Southampton university plans for River Park site

I was employed by Winchester School of Art (WSA) for 23 years and had warned when the merger of the institutions was mooted that we didn't fit the mould: A research-led ‘modern’ university embrace an art school so old?

WSA had a highly successful foundation course in art and design that not only attracted applicants from local sixth form colleges and those further afield, but also enabled mature candidates to access pathways into BA courses. Our two first-floor, purpose-built studios on West-side, Park Avenue, were purloined to accommodate former ground floor services after the Itchen burst its banks and the foundation department was relocated to temporary accommodation at New College, The Avenue, Southampton, with assurances that it would ultimately return to Winchester. However, those assurances were jettisoned in the second academic year at New College and as a consequence I took early retirement in 2002.

The subsequent loss of the Textiles Conservation Centre was, in my view, a further blot on the UoS copybook. Winchester's loss became Glasgow University's gain.

As a lifelong Wintonian I would love to see similar, simple leisure facilities to those I remember of old: the paddling pool fed from the stream adjacent to St Bede's and the rowing boats on the Itchen.

SEE ALSO: Winchester City Council admits River Park Leisure Centre lease was unlawful

The high water table is not conducive to any further development and the uncertainty of changing climatic conditions should be a deterrent to any activities that could prejudice the future wellbeing of local residents. When I waded in my wellies to access West-side to retrieve early UCAS applications for posting to meet the deadline, I appreciated the forethought that had gone into the architect's design of the raised steps to entrances of the adjacent cottages in Park Avenue.

In my opinion UoS should content itself with its current vacant holdings and keep its hands off River Park.

Dorothy Jones,

Charles Close,

Winchester

 

 

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