Archives - searching for local history

Today I spent the morning in the local history archives at Bruce Castle Museum. I didn't find as much as I had hoped so in a way I am back to square one. But I always value the experience.

The positives were that the sun was out and I found many other interesting images of my local area and related info to my search on the threatened The Lotdship Pub/Tavern. I realised how many wonderful buildings, including a fabulous Main Library on the High Street and many public houses were demolished to give way to ill designed monstrosities. Who gave permission to these proposals? If the control had been strict and favourable in terms of future generations then, we would be looking at some very different street scenes and patterns of circulation. The walk down the High Street would be quite pleasant with the old library, Alexandra Tavern etc.

Planning is no better today with, what seems, desperate decisions being made in haste as there are issues with policy that cannot protect the buildings and uses, and decision makers face difficult dilemmas at times when policy stand in the way and staff shortages are constantly referred to.. 

Then, what is the picture for the future? We need community involvement and some hands-on powers given to community groups so real positive change and continued development for a better community, design, build and conservation can take place. We need people within communities to have a voice as these are the people who can reference their everyday, not purely politicians and office support staff who may not even know the area fully or at all, let alone live in the neighbourhood. 

Images above from current public exhibition 16/5/14 H Saarinen