ISLAND HISTORY
life
Photo: Water hydrant - Below: Ornamental lamp post - Memorial at Bonchurch (Captain Mark Huish)
ornate lamp post at Swanmore Road Ryde and
an animal pound at Brading all found their way
onto the list, but it is not always consistent.
The war memorials at both Freshwater and
Yarmouth are included, but not those anywhere
else. Perhaps they were chosen having been
designed by the revered architect Percy Stone,
along with the Queen’s monument in Newport.
The memorial to Queen Victoria in St James’s
Square was erected in 1903 and the duty of
unveiling the latter fell to her daughter Beatrice.
January 1 1950 saw the first official listings. In
essence any building of architectural or historic
merit is likely to be included. A dwelling built
before 1700 will almost certainly be listed and
those constructed between
1700-1840 are likely to be so.
Other considerations such as
unusual building methods,
association with somebody
famous and occasionally a
whole complex of buildings
such as a square may get
protected status. Happily the
process is ongoing and in 1988
the beautiful, ornate clock
tower at Whitecroft was added
to the list when the future of
the rest of the site became
uncertain.
The Island's most loved magazine
Listing does not guarantee total protection.
In Newport, buildings in Crocker Street, the
High Street and Pyle Street have all since been
knocked down so we need to be on our guard.
This selection is the tip of a very large iceberg.
From individual gravestones to the windmill
at Bembridge, the variety is endless but if you
have any concerns about a particular structure
or want to add to the collection, the body now
responsible for continuing the work is English
Heritage.
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