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A WivSoc Wednesday with a difference this week - it’s only the AGM of our lovely local town civic society.

Cripes.

To the Nottage, fashionably late, and not so fashionably dressed. I did make an effort on the nautical front, sporting one of my latest charity shop finds from a recent trip to the Oldest Recorded.

Turns out that I wasn’t alone. For all yer Essex Man jibes, Wivenhoe Man is something of a salty sea dog. I wasn’t the only WivSoc Sir wearing a captain’s sea hat (although I take pride in the knowledge that mine was the biggest.)

Blimey.

But anyway - what of the business end of the WivSoc year? It was all routine stuff, with Mr Chair admirably sticking to the agenda, and sticking it (in a very, very polite way) to anything that might upset the balance of the old meets the new, that makes Wivenhoe such a charming place to live.

I say routine stuff, but when the annual log book for events organised by WivSoc takes in (deep breath…) Open Gardens, wine tasting, the Fun Day, two heritage walks (8th May imminent) two riverbank clean ups (10th April even more imminent) the Craft Fair, the Quayside crabbing, the Colne talk, the post-Christmas party, Hanging Basket competitions, helping out at the Regatta, then you can see how a routine year in Wivenhoe needs some sense of formal organising.

Which is precisely where the incredibly hard working WivSoc committee members come in. The meeting opened with the approval of the previous minutes, plus some fool wearing a silly sea hat walking in halfway through.

Whoops.

Mr Chair’s Report was deliberately brief - new members were made to fee most welcome.

The Secretary’s Report was the opportunity to outline in more detail some of the fine work of WivSoc over the past twelve months. Monitoring and responding to planning applications remains the main priority.

New procedures mean that objections now have to be channelled through Borough councillors, thus further complicating matters. WivSoc wishes to place on the record the support so far offered by Cllr Steve Ford of Wivenhoe Quay ward.

The WivSoc Newsletter was praised, providing members with quarterly updates not only on Society matters, but also locals items of a more general interest. I hear that the next issue has a half-decent front-page pic snapped by some hit and miss photographer.

For a Society that is all too conscience (often too Conscience in my opinion) of the ‘mature’ nature of the membership, it is rather ace to see the modern interweb being explored.

Members’ email updates are sent out when ever a matter of urgency arises. The Secretary highlighted recent issues such as the proposal to build on the land near to Millfields School, the sea wall clearance, Transition Town Wivenhoe updates and the impact of the Knowledge Gateway on the town as recent examples of online dialogue.

Outside of the internal mechanisms of WivSoc and it was also mentioned that the Society has a formal voice at the NAP meetings, the Wivenhoe Townscape Forum (local list) and still my fave ever group, the Wivenhoe Wood Working Party.

A big thank you went out to Cllr Bob Needham for giving up his Wednesday evenings once a month to offer feedback on WTC meetings. Nice hat m’Cllr friend - never mind the length, feel the thickness etc.

The Secretary wrapped up by saying that the WivSoc membership continues to grow, as well as observing developments within the town that reflect well for the future of Wivenhoe.

Helping Hands, Moving Image, TTW and *cough* the Wivenhoe Forum - all of these are positioned well to help out in Wivenhoe as we face what is likely to be unstable economic times ahead.

Speaking of all things fiscal - it’s only the WivSoc Treasurer’s Report…

The Society’s finances are “healthy.” Let’s leave it at that. Well, not quite… A *shhh* three figure surplus was made in the last financial year. No deficit deniers upstairs at the Nottage on Wednesday night.

£200 was donated towards Wivenhoe in Bloom. All social events made a profit. The increase in membership numbers covers the running cost of WivSoc.

Thanks were rightfully given to our friends from Rollo Estates, Eyecare, the Co-op and EWS skip hire, for very kind sponsorship and support over the year.

Chair’s Q & A simply put out the request for any tree expert within Wivenhoe to step forward. Help is needed in identifying any trees in the town that might need a little TLC. Having accidentally managed to floor one in my own back garden after only three months of living here, I thought it best not to volunteer.

The election of officers followed, with the motion to keep subscription rates as the same level also passed.

Any Other Business?

Um, booze?

Almost. Time first for a splendid talk by Anthony Roberts, the esteemed Artistic Director @ColchesterArts. With a #hyperlocal artistic history boasting Francis Bacon (sort of,) the Lakeside (not quite Wivenhoe) and the grand plans for the old Engine Shed (um…) Anthony was preaching to the converted.

We heard a wonderful social history of the old building, covering a barely plausible Humpty Dumpty reference, and leading up to the opening of the ace arts space in 1980.

Anthony then spelt out his vision for @ColchesterArts to champion new and emerging talent. The importance of online culture was emphasised, with a brilliant explanation of how the modern interweb has helped the centre to build new communities and change the artistic experience.

And then it was time for booze. Except @AnnaJCowen and I took something of a liking to the food first, and didn’t really move away from the buffet table. Some charming conversations followed, and then soon it was chucking out time at The Nottage.

No worries - we stopped off at the Rose and Crown and necked eight pints of Carlsberg each, and were back at base in time for the Ten O’clock News.

Only joking. It was the Eleven O’clock News. Fashionably late, and timing has never been my strong point. Nice nautical hat though.

If it’s the Wednesday after a WTC Monday meeting, then it must mean that it’s to the Nottage! …for a committee meeting catch up with the good folk of WivSoc.

And keeping in with the calendar theme, here’s the monthly disclaimer: I am a member of the Wivenhoe Society, although not a committee member. All views expressed within this blog post are mine alone, and not that of the committee, or the Society in general.

Phew.

Thirteen agenda items were up for discussion on Wednesday evening. You won’t find any of Mr Tony’s sofa style lounging around at the top table either. Mr Chair runs a tight ship at the Nottage (ahoy!) although all members get a chance to offer views and influence the direction of the group.

Minutes approved, no matter arising and then we were straight into the WTC meeting report from two days previous. Once again, I refer my honourable colleagues to the blog post I bashed out on Monday evening.

The only reference to add is that WivSoc collectively shares a frustration that the 20mph speed limit has yet to be formally implemented around the lower end of the town. The signs are up, the under secret wraps style bin bags have long since been blown into the Colne.

All we need right now is Colchester Borough Council to rubber stamp the deal…

The Treasurer’s Report came up with the rabbit out of a hat trick of balancing the books.

Blimey.

There is an incoming profit over an outgoing expenditure of *shhh* I really couldn’t say. If you’re holding out for WivSoc to buy up the Engine Shed and convert it into a state of the art nightclub with laser shows, a hot tub and pole dancers, than you’ll probably be waiting for a little while longer. No worries however in paying the cost for printing up the latest WivSoc newsletter though.

The Secretary’s Report updated the committee with the current state of play over the Parish Paths Partnership. This is essentially a local working group that meets regularly to keep our much-valued walking routes clear and unobstructed.

It appears that the P3 (clever) do such a good job, that they have actually sourced themselves out of any work. The suggestion for the next step ahead is to work with neighbouring villages that don’t quite share the same enthusiasm for this type of project. Lending a hand in helping to clear the Elmstead paths was put up as the suggestion.

With this being the final committee meeting ahead of the WivSoc AGM at the Nottage next Wednesday, plans were finalised over the formalities. It is greatly encouraging to hear that three new committee members have stepped forward; it is equally encouraging to know that the booze is already in place for the evening.

Chin Chin.

On to Planning…

“I’ve lost the plot on this,” confessed a rather prominent WivSoc committee member. Haven’t we all, Comrade, haven’t we all.

The committee collectively welcomed the very generous offer of Colchester Borough Councillor Steve Ford of Wivenhoe Quay to attend the monthly meetings. This is a challenging time for anyone with an interest in preserving the unique local character of a town like Wivenhoe.

Changes in planning law are about to make any objections to an application to be channelled through a councillor. On a wider scale, the budget of earlier in the day seemed to side with developers as the scramble to build new homes continues apace.

On a #hyperlocal level and two new applications have been received within Wivenhoe in the past month. A De Vere Close property has put in a planning application for a change in the exterior, following the demolition of an existing structure; a property in Brook Street is planning to demolish some existing walls.

Once again, time to repeat my personal mantra of not publicly commenting on any residential planning applications. You never know when you may want to build that superstore in your own back garden…

WivSoc has formally lodged an objection (pre-budget…) on the planned re-development of Rowhedge Wharf. Whilst not objecting to the overall use of what is currently an empty shack, the access road right along Rowhedge Quay is considered to be an issue for Wivenhoe residents. The alternative suggestion is to locate this behind the first row of new houses, as is the case with West Quay.

But it’s not all about building new structures - sometimes it’s about trying to knock them down. Here we go again then with the Engine Shied.

Oh Lordy.

There seems to be a growing consensus around the town that it is finally time to give up the ghost with the dilapidated old building outside the station. Fund raising attempts to save the structure have unfortunately failed. What we are left with is a great big eyesore within the heart of Wivenhoe.

This was the personal view put forward by Cllr Liddy in the recent WTC newsletter. WivSoc is also of this opinion, with the committee discussing on Wednesday evening possible ways to de-list the building. Dialogue with Network Rail, Colchester Borough Council, WTC, English Heritage and most importantly, local residents, is being explored.

But then with any grand gesture or movement, you need to plan for the what next scenario. More car park space for the station? This certainly might ease the congestion around West Quay. Private property? Isn’t Wivenhoe already full?

It is an incredibly delicate situation that the town has to face up to over the coming months. The old building is crumbling by the day, It ‘aint gonna win any architectural beauty contests, and the land could be put to far better use.

After such gloom, it was encouraging to address the next item agenda of the Local List. This is essentially a working party of interested locals who want to identify any buildings within the town of cultural or historical interest.

Not all of the many grand old structures are listed - some, such as the Engine Shed, we wish weren’t. But with developers hovering around Wivenhoe like architectural ravens waiting for their prey, now is the time to protect some of our most historic buildings within the town.

An inclusive working group is growing around the Local List. WivSoc has two members representing. Anyone else wanting to join is more than welcome. It seems a most social gathering, and speaking of which, here comes the WivSoc social updates.

Hurrah!

The Heritage Walk is confirmed for 8th May (Hello Mum! Hello Dad! Do come…) Bookings are already coming in for the WivSoc Fun Day on 10th September. Some Young Turk has even suggested the idea of inflatable sumo wrestling in St Mary’s churchyard.

Cripes.

Debate then turned towards which local group to donate the money raised for Open Gardens. In these uncertain economic times, and for all the folly of the #bigsociety, there was no shortage of worthy causes around Wivenhoe who could do with a little financial boost right now.

In the end, the committee was unanimous in supporting Helping Hands, a relatively new group that offers very real and practical assistance to those that need it around the town.

Any Other Business wrapped up with a call for copy for the most excellent WivSoc newsletter, currently scheduled to go to the printers at the start of April.

And so it’s WivSoc AGM night next Wednesday. A few committee formalities, and then a speech by the Artistic Director of the Colchester Arts Centre.

Conversation, booze and the historic surrounds of the Nottage - splendid.