a presentation by Gilbert O’Brien – 11th September 2024
Honorary Archivist of The Georgian Group for Berwick upon Tweed Civic Society & Heritage Open Days (HODS)
Founded in 1937 The Georgian Group is the national charity for the preservation of Georgian buildings, parks, gardens and monuments. It’s inception followed many turbulent years of struggle for recognition by the small group of campaigners, led by three main characters, each bringing their own prestige, personalities and foibles to bear on the eventual achievement of their goals gaining national, even international, recognition backed by statutory legislation. The people and their trials and tribulations were brought to life by Gilbert in this fascinating story.
The image of Georgian architecture is the classical well proportioned country house but the Georgians also planned the beautiful terraces, crescents, squares and streets that sprung up across London initially and other cities such as Bath.
The Victorians did not find the architectural style and brick construction of the Georgian Period so pleasing. The Industrial Revolution resulted in demographic changes increasing urban population and the need for more housing. The death toll of the Great War meant that many sons of the Great Estates did not return to take over their ancestral homes. Changes in attitude to work following the War meant that the staff needed to run such estates were no longer available. The introduction of Death Duties and Taxes also had an effect on the prosperity of landowners who sought the opportunities for sales in the new climate.
There was no legislation in place to protect these buildings or land at this time. The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB) was founded by William Morris in 1877 in response to the work of Victorian architects whose enthusiasm for harmful restoration caused irreparable damage, illustrated examples included buildings and terraces by John Soane, Robert Adam and John Nash However, the Victorians did not regard Georgian architecture as ancient!
It was in this climate that the Georgian Group was founded in 1937 by Lord Derwent Robert Byron and Douglas Goldring, initially under the auspices of SPAB (hence being a Group rather than a Society). Early prominent members included Sir Nicholas Pevsner, Sir John Betjeman and Oliver Messel. It’s prominence went ‘viral’ worldwide following a Georgian Ball held at Osterley Park owned by Lord Jersey. During the event Lady Jersey’s diamond bracelet (worth £250 at that time) went missing and this lead to extensive press coverage and the story ran for some time always mentioning the Georgian Society in every article.
The work of the Georgian Group continued through the second world war but it was only following the destruction caused during this period that legislation to protect historic buildings was introduced with the Town & Country Planning Act of 1947.
Currently the Georgian Group is a Registered Amenity Society. It provides expert conservation advice and promotes an understanding and appreciation of Georgian architecture, landscape, design and craftsmanship. It has an objective to save Georgian buildings from destruction or disfigurement. It does this by a network of Caseworkers throughout England and Wales. Currently there are 2,500 casework files, 164 in Northumberland and 15 in Berwick-upon-Tweed! Douglas Goldring, writing in 1940, hoped that future generations would be grateful to the Georgian Group for rescuing a portion of their heritage and indeed we are.
SYG 12.9.24
