C O N T E X T 1 1 6 : S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 0 21 IHBC Annual School 2010 IHBC Annual School 2009 IHBC Annual School 2010 The scheme has been running for 13 years, with around 200 gardens open this year. From its success in London, Sumner explained that the open garden squares concept has become something of an international movement. Dublin held a similar event this year and the Prague scheme is in its third year. The trust produces newsletters, a journal, guides and an inventory, and works across greater London with local planning authorities to draw up local sitespecific policies. It was heartening to learn that, as part of the new requirements of PPS5, the trust is working on developing its historic environment records so that information on many of the participating sites will soon be available on its website. The excellence of royal parks planting and maintenance was highlighted, but Sumner voiced his concerns about the potential adverse impact financial cut-backs were likely to have on this much-envied quality. Sumner was quite brave in raising concerns about the number of new memorials that had been erected in recent years within London’s royal parks. Such a proliferation of memorials has an impact, not always good, on the quality and integrity of the landscape.The quality of some of the works was also questionable. Sumner finished on an optimistic note, talking us through a number of successful Heritage Lottery Fund projects in which the trust had been involved. These included the new route through Kew Gardens, a world heritage site, and improvements at Bushy Park. The recently completed works at Chiswick House looked particularly interesting.This was a great way to end the talk: a reminder that we do this work for the wider enjoyment and that historic gardens add much to everyone’s quality of life. RoseWakelin London’s Theatreland tour I am often struck by the parallels between how the Theatres’ Trust and the Church of England deal with listed buildings. On one hand, both have an obvious first priority: in the case of the Theatres Trust to promote live theatre; and in the case of the Church of England, to promote its Christian message. On the other, they have a duty of care to listed buildings, Delegates admired the lavishly restored interior of the Wyndham’s Theatre
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