Letters to the Editor

THE FATE OF JOHN HUTTON'S ARTWORK
From John Harding

I was very interested to read the article by Merv Russen about the work of John Hutton in the last issue of The Ipswich Society Newsletter. Some year or two ago I tried (unsuccessfully) to find out what had happened to the three glass panels which were in the Fisons building in Princes Street (which was awarded an RIBA Bronze Medal in 1958-1961). I was concerned that these fine works appeared to have been damaged - or worse. However it is good to know that two still exist and are hopefully to be restored and displayed at some time in the future. Unfortunately it appears that this will not be in Ipswich.

As you may know, my interest in the work is because I was the' Job Architect' working with Birkin Haward on Harvest House (as it was originally known, I think) and therefore much involved with the installation of the panels. Likewise I was also the' Job Architect' for Fisons' Levington Research Station and was very disappointed to know that the sgraffito panel in the main building had been destroyed in the 1980s - I can't imagine why.

It is sad that so much work in this area by this quite prolific and noted 20th century artist has been so badly treated. However we should be very grateful to Merv Russen for his work in researching and pursuing these works by John Hutton and achieving as much success as is possible in the circumstances.

IPSWICH AIRPORT TERMINAL BUILDING
From Angelika Voss

I would like to comment on Bob Kindred's article in the January Newsletter where he claims that no Listed buildings were demolished between 1995 and 2008. I believe that this claim is factually incorrect. ..... what did they do to the Ipswich Airport Terminal Building if not demolish it? Or does that not count because they replaced it by a new building that looks similar and has retained one wall of the original?

A reply from Bob Kindred, Conservation & Urban Design Manager, IBC

The building was severely altered and the substantial reconstruction retained more the spirit of the original building than the 1938 structure. 'Demolition' is complete loss - which is what our figures are about. The basis of its original protection, its 15 foot modular construction (claimed by English Heritage to be a very rare and early example) was found not to exist and had probably been removed long before it was Listed in November 1997. It remains Listed Grade II.