Demolishing library would wipe out part of our past

No, they come to Salisbury because it has vast history, right back to medieval times and beyond. Salisbury and its environs can boast architecture and history from every age known to man. It should be respected for it and promoted because of it.

Salisbury once had a grand selection of antiques shops, old bookshops and original style public houses, all in buildings going back many hundreds of years.

These are the very things which attract visitors, both national and international.

Their disappearance begs us to ask why, over the last 40 years, the vast majority of these and local stores like them have been forced out of business or taken over by commercial, impersonal organisations that are interested in nothing other than profit.

It has now been announced Salisbury’s library is to be considered for destruction to create a toothy gap allowing access to some vast shopping mall.

Who among these potential destroyers who deem themselves “planners” has considered the history of the Market House, later called the Corn Exchange, where the library now stands? It was built in 1859 and was connected by the fullgauge Salisbury Railway and Market House Railway with the South Western Railway at Fisherton. Along with the Market Place, it is all an important part of Salisbury’s commercial history.

Isn’t it about time that these “planners” came to understand the importance of this piece of Salisbury’s history, and why it is important to so many of us who live here?

Why can’t they restore the Market House, rebuild the malt houses as a museum, put back the railway line, give a home to a steam train and allow folk to walk about it. This would attract visitors of all ages. And, what is more, it would be interesting and educational, far more interesting than swathes of chain stores and boutiques which can be visited anywhere.

But then that wouldn’t make them vast profits, would it?

ERIC G HART

Salisbury

I THINK the Journal should be thanked for publishing letters showing the feeling which has been aroused around the threat to destroy the old Corn Exchange building that, at present, houses the library.

I, too, was under the impression this building was listed; it is certainly part of Salisbury’s long history. The Corn Exchange and the Cattlemen Association building now occupied by Lloyds TSB, on the side of the Castle Street on Blue Boar Row, with reminders, such as Poultry Cross, Cheese Market, Butcher Row, along with hotels and inns and names like Penny Farthing Street, Guilder Lane and, of course, Love Lane, underline the city’s history, signs of history we have lost too much of.

I hope Salisbury historians and civic groups get involved in this debate. Surely this issue is worthy of a public meeting.

Wiltshire Council also wants to get rid of the footpath across the market, this also is part of the city’s history, and this too must be resisted.

AUDREY SILVER

Salisbury

SPOOKY isn't it? In the mid-1970s, our new art galleries and library were opened just as there was a local government reorganisation and an economic downturn.

It is now centrally placed and houses some unique treasures endowed to our lucky city. Some remarkable art collections, three much-loved art galleries and the library.

The facade with gates were retained and restored from the previous building on that site. Also, the Market Walk indicates where the railway siding used to run into the old Market House. This was done with advice from Sir Hugh Casson, consulting architect.

We are told that knocking down the library would open up a link to the new shops.

We already have one. I cannot see why anyone would want to do this.

There are more desirable things to spend tax payers’ money on.

ANN HOPKINS

Stratford-sub-Castle