South West

Plymouth launch for C20 Far South West Group **UPDATE**

The C20 Far South West Group has recently been set up to cover Cornwall, Devon and West Dorset. The group had its first meeting in Plymouth on 21 February.

The region has a variety of C20 buildings, with a concentration of post-war work in Plymouth and Exeter, both of which were heavily bombed in WW2. There is also a sprinkling of, mainly coastal, domestic properties, including early work by Team 4 (Foster and Rogers) in Feock, Cornwall. Inland there is one of the first examples of the international style, High Cross House at Dartington.

At our inaugural meeting, 16 of us discussed plans for events based around post-war Plymouth, the campus at Exeter University and the work of local architect Mervyn Seal in Brixham and Torbay.

We hit the ground running in terms of casework with the recent threat of the demolition of the former Western Morning News building – the ‘ship’.

As a result the Society is working with the original architect, Sir Nicholas Grimshaw, to have the building listed. Last week it was announced that Historic England (formerly English Heritage) has recommended listing the Plymouth ‘ship’ at Grade II*.

A final decision on listing by the Secretary of State is expected after the General Election. For more details on the campaign see the News section of the Society site.

If you would like to become a member of the Far South West Group and be kept informed of further events please contact Tony Stokoe via administrator(at)c20society.org.uk. Tony, who is based in Lympstone near Exmouth, trained in furniture design; he then worked for G Plan furniture before specialising in exhibitions and interiors.

Tony Stokoe