All Change: Chester in the 1960s & 70s

An illustrated talk on two decades that saw fundamental changes to
Chester’s built environment, and which have left a legacy to this day
About this Event

An illustrated talk by Paul Hyde, former Heritage Interpretation Officer for Chester City Council on two decades that saw fundamental changes to Chester’s built environment, and which have left a legacy to this day.

Just over half a century ago (in 1975) Chester’s black & white half-timbered Rows buildings at the Cross had the honour of being on a Royal Mail 7p postage stamp to celebrate European Architectural Heritage Year. Yet these decades were a time that saw much change in Chester. In the early 1960s the city sought to modernise itself with big development projects but there was also growing awareness that its heritage was at serious risk, with historical buildings lost and the townscape substantially modified.

By the late 1960s it became clear that conservation had to become a priority – resulting in many at-risk buildings being saved in subsequent years.

This illustrated talk will navigate some of the key changes including examples of what was new, what was lost and what was saved; as well as how these decades have influenced how Chester looks and feels today.

The talk will take place in the spacious, light and airy Large Meeting Room of Chester’s Quaker Meeting House – a building dating from the mid-1970s. The former meeting house had been built in 1703 on a site that had already been used by the Quakers - thought to have been in something like an old farm building. The early 18th Century meeting house was modified over the next two centuries but infestation by death watch beetle and structural issues led to its demolition in 1973.

Note: The meeting house will be open from 10am - 4.30pm on Saturday 19 September for people to visit the building and find out about the long history of the Quakers in Chester along with complimentary tea, coffee and cake. Refreshments will be available to be taken into the talk but please arrive well ahead of the talk start-time to obtain these.

What3Words location:///trio.tuned.offers – centre of the building

Cancellation Policy: Please notify us in advance if you are unable to attend this event. Tickets are limited and could be transferred to another person with notice. Love our Heritage – let’s share it with everyone.