| Villages with a difference |
|
|
|
Page 2 of 2 Art for all This is the highlight of Port Sunlight, certainly for visitors. The grand and imposing building, with a 130-foot long main hall, dominates the village. It says much about Lever's belief that art is crucial to the social and moral health of any community, and that wealthy industrialists have a duty to provide uplifting art for the working class. Over the years Lever had amassed one of the finest private art collections in Britain. Above all, he was an extravagant collector of Victorian paintings (especially the Pre-Raphaelites), 18th-century British portraits and landscapes, English 17th- and 18th-century furniture, 17th- and 18th-century Chinese porcelain, Wedgwood china, Greek vases and Roman sculpture. He displayed parts of his collection in various Port Sunlight buildings and eventually adapted Hulme Hall, the canteen for female workers (named after his wife), into an art gallery. But in 1913, after the purchase of some enormous Victorian paintings, he decided to create a purpose-built museum at Port Sunlight. He helped design the gallery, and when his wife died shortly after the plans were completed he named it in her honour. Of course the village has had to make changes to suit modern times, as I learned when meeting members of the Port Sunlight WI (see "Welcome to Port Sunlight WI"). During the 1960s and 1970s Unilever carried out a major programme of modernisation on the houses. By 1980 it was evident that the days of tied tenancies were over, and properties were sold on the open market for the first time. In 1999 Unilever handed over the management of the village to an independent charitable organisation, The Port Sunlight Village Trust. Today about three-quarters of the houses are privately owned by people who are not Unilever employees (but to preserve the village's well-groomed appearance, all front gardens remain the responsibility of the Trust). As all the cottages are Grade II listed buildings, planning restrictions apply to everything from the colour of the front door to the style of the chimney pot; satellite dishes must be hidden away at the back; while conservatories, which require Listed Building Consent, must be of wood. A visit to Port Sunlight demonstrates how gracefully the village has aged. It retains its aesthetically pleasing appearance while still creating the feeling among residents that it is a pleasure and privilege to live in such a special place. A few months after my visit, Port Sunlight was in turmoil. The Port Sunlight Village Trust applied for planning permission to build 100 houses on the outskirts of the village. Many people objected vociferously, saying the scheme threatened the heritage and character of the village. They were incensed that none of the three Trustees lived in the village (this has now been rectified), and that there had been no consultation with residents. Lionel Bolland, Trust Chief Executive, said that the new housing would fund improvements to the village. The Trust had taken advice on the design of the housing, following best practice, and that the Trustees were resolved to do what they think is best for Port Sunlight. Welcome to Port Sunlight WI There's a small but thriving Women's Institute at Port Sunlight. At last year's annual meeting I chatted with several members, who all spoke with pride about the village. I learned that Port Sunlight has won many Britain in Bloom awards in recent years, thanks in part to the WI's annual planting of the area around the station. And everyone plants up for the Port Sunlight Village Trust annual gardens competition for best window box, hanging basket and house frontage. I also met some WI members who participate enthusiastically in the 'Kosovo Shoebox Appeal', knitting hats, scarves and jumpers for children of different ages. I was especially pleased to meet two members - Joan Brabander and Margaret Taylor - who are official guides for the Port Sunlight Trust, escorting architects, town planners, senior citizens, school groups and of course WIs around the village, in coaches or on foot. They would be delighted to help any visiting WIs - just contact the Port Sunlight Heritage Centre on tel: 0151 644 6466 to discuss your arrangements and request a WI guide. Don't forget to ask about group discounts at both the visitor centre and art gallery. WI president Shirley Good is happy to chat with anyone planning a WI group visit - tel: 0151 645 2718. Further information Port Sunlight, situated just off the A41, is 20 minutes by road or rail from Chester and Liverpool. The Heritage Centre is open every day, all year except Christmas week, at 95 Greendale Road, Port Sunlight, tel: 0151 644 6466 or visit www.portsunlightvillage.com The Lady Lever Art Gallery is also open every day, all year except around Christmas, and is at Lower Road, Port Sunlight, tel: 0151 478 4136 or visit www.nmgm.org.uk There are gift shops at both places, and the art gallery has a restaurant. |
