Mon 27th Jun 2022: Halstead and Heritage

The British public is fascinated by places that seem unchanged by time, that have preserved what is generally accepted to have historic value and contributed to the attractiveness of our surroundings. We’ll all be able to think of villages not so very far from Halstead; Coggeshall, with its many old buildings, and Finchingfield, with its old bridge, the ford, and the winding slope to the medieval church and Guildhall: a classic calendar image.   

Scenic locations attract visitors, often many, but it's not just prettiness that appeals, according to Visit England, what really pulls in tourism is the desire to get things that are different to what we have at home, and different to what we can find elsewhere.  It's fair to say that many towns have unique and historic features,  but we don't always recognise or value them, or make the most of them.  

Heritage is important, and it can contribute to our futures. Its benefits are so significant that Historic England have set up a number of ‘Heritage Action Zone’ projects up and down the country that celebrate local historic contexts to help regenerate and level up communities. And size is not necessarily a factor, comparatively small towns such as Market Rasen, in Lincolnshire, have benefitted.  One of the factors is that places become destinations and appeal to locals and visitors alike.  And Mary Portas, that doyenne of retail, says that a destination is what every town centre needs to be, a point underscored by a 2020 Review of town centre economies that stressed the importance of celebrating historic character and setting. 

Bearing the importance of character and setting in mind, it’s no surprise that the Ironbridge Gorge in Shropshire and the Derwent Valley in Derbyshire are major visitor attractions. They’re part of glorious landscapes, but what makes them special is their historic industrial buildings (not always aesthetically appealing).  Industrial heritage then has huge cultural interest and visitor potential and has given these two sites world heritage status.  

On a much smaller scale, and much more local, is Clare Castle Country Park. Billed as Suffolk’s smallest town, Clare’s 13th century castle, its 19th century railway station and an appealing river, are the main ingredients of a site that is a destination in itself, and in close proximity to the historic venues of Long Melford and, Lavenham.  
             

It’s not all about the economy

Halstead 21C advocates the preservation of our natural and built heritage because both have an indisputable value to well-being, health and community cohesion.   According to Historic England, the Historic Environment enhances wellbeing, whilst Public Health England’s report. Improving Access to Greenspace: A New Review for 2020 emphasised the positive impact of green spaces on personal health as Covid-19 took hold of the nation. This was backed up by National Trust research who  state:

“As our cities and towns thrive, in recent years it has become clear that urban greenspace and nature has a proven impact on our physical health and wellbeing, both by offering us the space to exercise and relax and contributing to tackling climate change.” 
             
They suggest reintroducing greenspace to urban areas for the benefit of individuals, communities, and the climate, Both reduce waste and help to limit the use of environmentally unfriendly construction materials and practices.  In July 2019, Braintree District Council declared a Climate Emergency, and Halstead Town Council followed suit in April 2021, so it’s in our local councils' interests.

Aptly named Pride in Place , the Royal Society for Arts tracks how districts across the UK perform in the heritage sector .  Braintree District improved in the the last RSA Heritage Index. We know that our corner of the District values heritage because  95% of respondents to a Halstead Town Council survey believed that heritage was important to them  The Town Action Plan rightfully gives High priority to heritage conservation and promotion of green space.

Halstead is full of character and setting. We have a high street, sloping down the valley to the River Colne, and some fine buildings and our own industrial history of the Portways, the Courtaulds and the Adams to name but a few, so we have good reason to be proud of our town and its heritage.  So much the better for our future then if we can promote and preserve our valued buildings and green spaces - and we can. Our heritage needs your help. 

Are you aware of the present risks and opportunities for Halstead's natural and built heritage? 

22/0157/FUL A proposal to build 31 dwellings and retain10 air raid shelters and an ARP warden's post 

19/00493/OUT An appeal against Braintree District Council's refusal to approve an application for 200 homes at land off Bournebridge Hill

18/02313/OUT Land East of Sloe Hill