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Do you want Wareham’s character conserved and enhanced?

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What is Wareham Town Trust?

The Trust is a voluntary group of individuals who care about their town and want to see Wareham and its surroundings conserved and enhanced. The Trust has some 200 members and has an active committee.

 

'Heritage and History Wareham's past displayed' Talk by local historian, Lilian Ladle MBE , and graphic designer, Maria Burns Featuring Project by Wareham and District Development Trust   Photograph courtesy Ben Buxton  Tues 20th March 7.30pm Wareham Town Hall   WAREHAM TOWN TRUST AGM ALL WELCOME For more information Tel: 01929 553114 Telling the story of Wareham’s Wonderful Walls Now that Wareham’s internationally important Saxon defensive earthen walls have been cleared and have a long-term management plan, a design for strategically placed display boards illustrating the town’s vibrant history and ecological environment is currently in its final stages. John Scott of the Wareham and District Development Trust has secured funding for seven ‘interpretation’ panels depicting local history and nature conservation - these will be sited at suitable locations along the length of the walls. In addition, a new, updated ‘Walls Walk‘ leaflet will be produced. High quality black steel panels will enclose colourful illustrations and informative text which should appeal to both local people and visitors. It has even been possible to incorporate very new material into the text - last year a 19th century clay tobacco pipe kiln was excavated at Westport and its remarkable story will be depicted on the first board. Talented Wareham artist Maria Burns has designed the layout for each board and prepared the illustrations. She has worked in conjunction with archaeologist and historian Lilian Ladle. They hope that the town’s heritage will be more accessible, better understood and perhaps, more highly valued. It is hoped that the boards will be in place by early summer. Lilian and Maria will be talking about the walls interpretation project at Wareham Town Trust’s meeting on Tuesday 20th March at 7.30 pm in the Town Hall.

Dates for your diary 2011

What are its aims?

Originally formed in 1987 to seize the opportunities presented by the completion of the bypass to make the town more attractive to everyone, the Trust believes that building on the town’s assets as a historic market town will secure its future prosperity.

The Trust holds 2 or 3 meetings a year on topical issues or on the history of the town.

Raising awareness of current proposals affecting the town is a particular aim. For example the Trust held a meeting for members to meet with developers when a major development was proposed at Worgret. The Trust also joined with others to hold a town meeting regarding the proposed Town Enhancements Scheme.

Planning applications, The Trust keeps an eye on current planning proposals, policies and other issues affecting the town. It also meets regularly with representatives of the Town, District and County Councils and the Chamber of Trade regarding current issues. Click here for more information

Historic buildings

The Trust was actively involved in securing the establishment of a Heritage and Information Centre in Trinity Church when this became vacant to ensure continued public access to this historic building.

Wareham in Bloom

The Town Trust helped to set up Wareham in Bloom and provides hanging baskets on Wareham Library each summer. One of the first Town Trust projects was to plant trees on the northern approaches to Wareham.

Wareham Saturday Market

The Trust helped to start this market some years ago, is represented on the Steering Committee and supported its recent relocation to The Quay.

Community involvement

The Trust keenly supports community involvement in local initiatives such as the project to improve Hauses Field for the benefit of all users.

Heritage Open Days Every year during September the Trust helps organise Heritage Open Days, opening buildings of historic and architectural interest to the public.

Wareham Community Plan

This was developed following extensive consultation. The Trust is represented on Wareham Community Partnership and will be assisting in a number of the projects included in the plan.

Wareham Town Walls

The Trust has helped with projects to protect, enhance and raise awareness about Wareham’s historic monument, the town’s Saxon Walls.

Shopping

The Trust has supported the extension of the existing town centre supermarket and retention of Wareham’s independent shops. It has resisted an out of town supermarket which it feels would affect the vitality and viability of the town centre.