Book and article reviews, Autumn 2024


The present Victoria Centre clock tower (photograph thanks to Andy Nicholson)

Article Review: Midland Megastructure Reconsidered: The Victoria Centre, Nottingham at 50 Journal of Historic Buildings and Places (formerly the Ancient Monuments Society), Vol. 02, 2023, pp. 118-37, Martin Shepherd.

In the latest copy of the Journal of Historic Buildings and Places, there is an article on the story and development of the Victoria Centre entitled ‘Midland Megastructure Reconsidered: The Victoria Centre, Nottingham at 50’.

The author, Martin Shepherd, is an MA student on the Architectural History Programme at the Bardett School of Architecture, University College London. The article concentrates on the original megastructure concept proposed by the developer, Capital and Counties Property Ltd. This is illustrated with drawings by the lead architect Peter Winchester (Arthur Swift & Partners) and it discusses the radical changes made to the Victoria Centre, as part of the planning process.

It also examines the later changes made to the Centre and its Municipal Housing. This article is especially timely in light of the City’s present problems with the contemporary Broad Marsh Centre.

Pete Smith

HISTORIC BUILDING MYTH BUSTING: uncovering folklore, history and archaeology
James Wright, Published by The History Press. Price £20

Many readers of the Society’s Newsletter will know of James Wright’s work as a Buildings Archaeologist through his talks, articles and books. This new book, exploring and debunking some of the myths around medieval buildings, shows those same qualities that have made him such a stimulating and instructive speaker. With forensic examination, analysis, and imagination, he studies some of the myths that have grown up around our historic buildings and been accepted as fact. He looks at, among others, secret passages, the nature of castles, fighting on spiral staircases, stonemasons’ marks, leper squints, ship timbers, and the age of pubs. His investigations and detective work are fascinating and certainly had me looking afresh at artifacts I had taken for granted.

A bonus for us living in the Midlands is that many of his examples are close to home. The beautifully illustrated book is thoroughly recommended as an absorbing, informative, and enjoyable read for anyone who enjoys visiting old buildings, and who doesn’t.

 

David Barton