There have been many ongoing activities during the year, mostly associated with developing a viable project at the Goods Shed.

Goods Shed Project

Rural Renaissance Grant: Following our informal application for a capital grant from the SWRDA, it was made clear that we needed to conduct a feasibility study prior to a large grant application. We therefore applied for a Rural Renaissance feasibility grant, intended to enable the feasibility of potential projects to be professionally assessed before any work on the ground is started. This proved to be a more lengthy process than was originally intended, mainly because we were getting misleading information, together with delays from those responsible for providing advice and running the scheme. The grant application was finally successful in November.

The original elevation drawing for the Goods Shed, one of a series of drawings by Isambard Kingdom Brunel highlighted in the Brunel 200 exhibition. Courtesy of Network Rail.

Network Rail: There have been several discussions with Network Rail (NR) personnel on either the extension of the SPT lease on the Goods Shed or the purchase of the freehold. A meeting was held with NR and Jim Cornell (Railway Heritage Trust) in December to try to unlock the discussions. To date, these discussions have not reached any sort of conclusion. NR does not seem to have a consistent policy regarding the future of the building. The relatively short remaining period on our lease represents a definite barrier to progress with any proposal to bring the building back into use.

Fund Raising: Fund raising for the Brunel Goods Shed has continued with much appreciated help from volunteer Geoff Murray. The Trust is grateful for the following generous grants.

The Ratcliffe Trust £2,000

The Headley Trust £10,000

Feasibility Study: A tender exercise was held to identify and appoint a consultant to conduct the study. It became apparent that the monies available in the RR grant would not be sufficient to conduct a thorough study, therefore the Trustees agreed to fund part of the work using some of the residual SPT funds. GWE Research was appointed in January to conduct the study, excluding the architect/quantity surveyor section. Interviews are now planned to appoint the architect who will develop plans for the different options with estimates of costs. The GWE study is currently in progress and should be completed by August.

Potential Users of the Goods Shed: Much effort has been spent in trying to identify a suitable use for the building, together with a group willing to take a project forward. Early in the year we were approached by Stroud Commonwealth (SCW), who were looking for larger premises for the Stroud Enterprise Centre (SEC). They had been given an RR grant to examine several potential sites in the town. One option was to house their new centre within the Goods Shed. Their vision was a central two level, free standing ‘pod’ containing open plan work spaces, a seminar room and other shared facilities. The space around the perimeter would be used by another organisation as gallery/exhibition space. To enable the concept to be progressed, each party had included this option for the Goods Shed in their RR feasibility studies. However, after several months the two groups agreed to discontinue discussions and SPT removed further consideration of the SEC prospect from the GWE study. Other potential uses were identified for the GWE study and these included a micro-brewery/bar/restaurant, a workshop to build a steam locomotive and a Textile Centre to be run by the Stroudwater Textile Trust.

A Reception was held at the Brunel Goods Shed to toast Isambard Kingdom Brunel. 'Mr Brunel' then led a procession to the Subscription Rooms where a sumptuous banquet was held.

Strategy Group: One meeting has been held to keep the Group up to date on progress and to find out the state of play regarding the transport interchange and linked issues. There are complications with the land ownership in the immediate area and the interchange must be linked with the development of Cheapside and provide links with the town centre.

Project Stroud (PS): Various meetings have been held and some were attended by the SPT. PS would like to see the transport interchange project cancelled and a new vision for the area developed. A means of funding the vision would then have to be identified. This change of strategy would mean that any improvements to the area could be delayed by years. The SPT view is that the interchange gives the area more certainty and would help to facilitate the Goods Shed project. So, it has our continuing support for now.

Newsletter:A newsletter was sent out to members and other interested parties early in the New Year. This was mainly intended to keep people informed about developments with the Goods Shed project.

Brunel 200 Celebrations: Several events, including an exhibition by Oogoo Maia and a Reception were held in the Goods Shed to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the birth of Isambard Kingdom Brunel. These helped to raise the profile of the Brunel Goods Shed. Residual monies from the events were donated to the Goods Shed project and have been used to extend the contract for the Project Officer.

Website: The SPT website is now on-line with thanks to volunteer Ian Beer. www.stroudpreservationtrust.org.uk

Trust Management

The Brunel Goods Shed with Trustees of Stroud Preservation Trust featured on the front cover of "Heritage Counts" The State of the South West's Historic Environment 2006, the annual report produced by English Heritage.

Project Officer: Anne has acted as the project officer for many years and has kept the SPT moving forwards. At the end of the last financial year, she decided to stand down from this role. Many thanks to Anne for the tremendous effort she provided over many years. The AHF had given us a project development grant and we decided to use this to employ a new project officer, Emma Stuart, on a short term, part time contract. Emma’s main task has been to continue to develop the Goods Shed project with guidance, mainly from Anne and Camilla. We also moved into a project office at Piccadilly Mill, on very reasonable terms, thanks to Tim Harrison.

15 High St: This has been sold to a local developer, following some positive actions by the SDC. Repair work has at last begun

Trustees

There have been several changes. Stephen Davis and Ian Mackintosh resigned as Trustees and Geoff Beckerleg decided not to rejoin. Anne Mackintosh rejoined (as a Trustee) and we also welcome two new Trustees, Tim Bryan and Richard Wood. Thanks to those who have left and welcome to those who have joined us.

Board Members

• Nigel Paterson Chairman
• Tim Bryan (co-opted December 2006)
• Stephen Davis (retired February 2007)
• Camilla Hale
• Tim Harrison
• Ian Mackintosh (retired December 2006)
• Anne Mackintosh (co-opted April 2006)
• Richard Wood (co-opted December 2006)

Contact Information

The contact details for the Trust can be found in the “Contacts” section of the website.
Copies of Stroud Preservation Trust‹s annual accounts for 2005-20065 are available from the following address:
Stroud Preservation Trust
6 Castle Villas
Stroud GL5 2HP
Registered Charity number 284255