Alan Faces Redundancy
I have reproduced the following from the November Basinga. I was quite shocked and saddened when I read the article that Alan could be treated in such a way. Please send us your comments, and I will add them to this page.
The Last View of Basing House
As you may have heard by now, Alan is facing redundancy. The proposal
is that Basing House will be run as a 'venue' together with Milestones and there
will no longer be a dedicated curator for the site.
Alan has been curator for 23 years and is only 2 years from retirement.
His every other thought, word and deed has been for Basing House, but it seems
that loyalty, expertise and passion no longer find a home in the Museums
Service. I know that some of the people involved in the decision have
never even attended one of Alan's tours. I am of course somewhat biased,
but I do know what a brilliant historian Alan is, and it seems very
short-sighted of the County to let him go. To paraphrase Julian Fellowes,
some people see a ruin from which they might be able to make some money, but
Alan sees his life's work.
We've had some demanding times at the House - especially the many late night /
early morning call-outs to the Grange when it was empty. I remember once
sitting on the farm gate at 2am looking very nervously about me as Alan returned
to the House to get a hammer to board up a freshly smashed window.
I remember the countless days when I've watched the garden walls glow red in the
early morning sun, and when mine have been the first human footprints in the new
snow. On many Christmas mornings I've walked across the Bailey and
whispered Happy Christmas to the House and any passing ghosts. And all the
time I've known what a tremendous and wonderful privilege it is to live at
Basing House.
When Alan and I got married eleven years ago, and I moved to the House, I
started writing this column in the Basinga. I wanted you to read it and
think, 'Oh yes, Basing House. Haven't been there for a while.' And
perhaps visit... I also wanted to make people smile and sometimes learn a
little history. If I've done this for just one person, then I've
succeeded.
We don't yet know when we will have to leave, but we won't be going far, just to
our little home in Lychpit. This will be my last article in Basinga as I
will no longer have the right to write about Basing House. I've really
enjoyed the years as your history correspondent, and thank you for reading.
Nicola Turton
Please feel free to comment on this article by filling out in the form below, or sending an email to webman@basinga.org.uk, and we will add them to this page.
Your Comments
| AM from Old Basing |
Redundancy is a difficult concept for most of us to consider or experience. It is certainly not a topic that anyone finds easy to write about. The personal impact of redundancy is unique for each of us that have experienced it but most find some solace as they return to the heart of their community and rebuild their lives.
I feel unable to write any words of comfort that are sufficient to convey the value that our community has lost with this redundancy. It is a personal pain beyond that which is felt by an individual or family that are forced into new routines. Nicola and Alan had made Old Basing house a way of life that we were all welcome to enjoy. I fail to see how this special place will ever be quite so accessible now that they have moved on. As for Nicola and Alan I can only hope that they know how much they will be missed at the house. They should know that even though they have lost more than a job and way of life the community of Old Basing and Lychpit will always remain for them and will cherish their involvement. I hope that the heart of our community can overcome our loss and remain supportive to our two very good friends that will be missed at the house. |
| GH |
Why on earth should such expertise be cast aside? People talk about the
degenertation of the country... is it any wonder when our precious
history is thrown aside at the whim of society? |
| CL |
WRONG! WRONG! WRONG! What has the world come to! There are no ethics,
loyalty, decency or respect in today's workplace. How can the powers
that be justify their actions - oh let me guess, "It's nothing personal
etc etc etc"... oh but it is!!!! Do they not know that Alan has given
his life for Basing House... for him, it IS personal! Couldn't they have
just given something back in return? Basing House will not fall because
Alan is no longer on site... but it will be a poorer venue because of
it. All the Best Alan & Nicola - we appreciate all your hard work &
commitment over the years. |
| HS from Old Basing |
It begs the question 'How can anyone justify the loss of so much
knowledge and dedication'? Who ever made the decision just didn't get it
right!! |
| VJ from Whitchurch |
Alan came to Whitchurch History Society's meeting a little while ago
and enthralled us with his account of the Seige of Basing. We are
appalled that such talent should be cast aside.
|
| NB from New York |
An absolute disgrace. Politicians have absolutely no thoughts but how to use their public office for their own ends. I strongly suspect that they're starting to abandon historic sites and, when they fall into disrepair, will sell them for development. Please pass on my commiserations to Alan, together with my best wishes to him and Nicola for the future. |
| NM from Old Basing |
 I
have attached a picture of Alan Turton (Mr Basing House) taken in the
ruins of the house. This was on one of his tours before the site closed
for the recent Heritage Lottery Fund work. I along with many others feel
that with Alan leaving the house, his vast knowledge of the history of
the site and enthusiasm with visitors will be missed.
|
| HK |
I have lived in Old Basing for 20 years, have been on many of Alan's
tours in that time, never tiring of hearing his tales of the house (but
always in awe of his knowledge and ability to spread his enthusiasm
amongst the visitors). I believe Alan has kept Basing House alive and
the thought him being treated so badly is appalling. Without a dedicated
curator (let alone one of Alan's calibre), future visitors will not have
the benefit of his wonderful insight. I have always enjoyed reading
Nicola's contributions in Basinga too. Best wishes to you both. You will
be missed at the site.
|
| DS |
For me Alan has BEEN Basing House for as long as I have known him (maybe
20 years now). It is inconceivable that Basing House should be without
a dedicated manager who loves and lives the site and its history. I can
understand the budgetary pressure that have prompted this decision but
it is a BAD decision and a FALSE economy. If there is anything I can do
to help rally round I will be only too pleased to do it.
|
| MJ from Old Basing |
All rather shabby of the Museums Service. Difficult to see how
"saving" 2 years salary will benefit the Basing House site: Alan
stated that he saw more degradation of the House's fabric over the harsh
winter of '09-'10 than in any other of the 23 years he was associated
with the site. He was in the unique position of noting this &
coordinating subsequent conservation. Rather suspect that this
degradation will accelerate this & subsequent winters.
Short-sighted from an archeological/conservation point of view &
borderline amoral overall. |
| Nicola Tutron |
Just found this page, and the tremendously touching comments. Thank you
all for your kind thoughts - nice to know someone values Alan. |
| MR from Basing |
I agree whole-heartedly with the comments already expressed. Alan is
irreplaceable, and anyone who has attended his guided tours of the site
will know just how much knowledge and enthusiasm he has for Basing
House. HCC are unbelievably short-sighted and disloyal in making this
decision. |
| CM from Lychpit |
Shame on Hampshire County Council for making Alan Turton redundant
just two years from his retirement. To treat such a loyal and dedicated
worker in such a manner is disgraceful. Another point about this sorry story is the decision not to have a dedicated curator at Basing House. Alan helped to bring the historic monument to life, and I am certain he would have helped his successor to do the same. Instead I suspect that, when Alan has gone, visitors will be supplied with a headset and a recorded commentary as they walk round the site. Hardly the same as a guide who has immersed himself in the history of ruins. |
| TT from Basing |
Regarding Alan Turton's situation - I find the Museums Service have
been somewhat insensitive given Alan's 23 years of loyal service in the
village and beyond, especially, given that Alan only has the two years
to go before retirement. In my view Alan should be rewarded publicly for
his loyal service and allow him to fulfil his work till retirement as
previously planned. |
| DW from Lychpit |
I couldn't believe how sad I was when I read this. I really enjoyed
Nicola's writing and thought she always had a really interesting and
informative view on things. I have lived in Lychpit for 11 years
now and always feel grateful for living so close to so much easily
accessible history. To see my daughter excited at the thought that Henry
VIII was only up the road once is great. Alan has always been a constant part of the local fabric and I cannot believe that a man who has dedicated so much to his passion has been casually cast aside. It smacks of such small minded thinking and unfortunately reflects our box ticking / money driven sign of the times. I for one and my family would like to thank both Alan and Nicola for everything they have done and wish them both all the best for the future. The site will have lost more than can be put into adequate words. |