Tributes to his life and work can be seen from his firm, DIA in The Times and Chester Chronicle.
The publication of the INSALL STUDY of CHESTER in 1968 was an international landmark for urban conservation. The report heralded the start of the city’s regeneration. Historic buildings were conserved rather than demolished. Sir Donald became the Conservation Consultant to the City of Chester, an innovative move that led to the appointment of conservation officers by local authorities across the country.
Jane Harrad-Roberts, a Trustee of Cheshire Historic Buildings Preservation Trust added; “I recall visiting him in the DIA London office to locate a TV film of ‘The Conservation Game’ featuring Chester, and coming back from the basement gleeful he had found it for me from the 70s. He spoke with kings and hoddies in the same respectful and knowledgeable way, always an opportunity for him to learn more and exchange knowledge. He brought buildings back to life and was a joy to work with for his tribute to Chester at the Cheshire Society of Architects’ 60th anniversary dinner. He leaves one of the most respected companies in the World for architecture, to continue its achievements, and he will be sadly missed as an ever present standard in building conservation for us all.”
Photo: The Countess of Dartmouth, Chairman of the UK Committee for European Architecture Heritage Year, inspecting a model of the Bridgegate Action Area at Shipgate House in 1973. Sir Donald Insall looked on from the right.
]]>Chester Civic Trust “New Works Committee” chaired by Andrew Pannell, is a recognised non-statutory consultee that monitors, reviews, and submits representations on planning applications, urban design, and local development policies across the greater Chester area.
]]>In addition the group travelled through spectacular scenery, stunning coastlines and historic towns, enjoying some amazing Autumn weather. Some also visited Alnwick Castle. This is the home of Ralph Percy, 12th Duke of Northumberland and also a location for films and TV including Harry Potter, Robin of Sherwood and Downton Abbey. Alnwick is also home to an amazing second hand bookshop and café housed in the old station building (see photos below).
*At Seaton Delaval we learned of Vanbrugh, the playwright-turned architect and his links to Chester. You can read more about this here.
Title: The Buildings Archaeologist – Discovering the Secrets of Britain’s Ancient Buildings
Abstract: Why do we know so little about the ancient buildings which surround everyday life in Cheshire? Britain can be justifiably proud of approximately 500,000 listed buildings. Yet as many as 60% may have been identified incorrectly. Behind a Victorian façade is a Tudor house. Underneath a Georgian frontage is a mediaeval cottage. What is now a farm was once a castle. Many buildings, hundreds of years old, are entirely unlisted. How can a nation, so obsessed with history, have missed so many ancient buildings? The award-winning researcher, author, broadcaster, and speaker Dr James Wright (Triskele Heritage) will explain the fascinating, enigmatic, and surprising world of The Buildings Archaeologist using case studies drawn from Cheshire.
Biography: Dr James Wright FSA (Triskele Heritage) is an award-winning buildings archaeologist. He has two decades professional experience of ferreting around in people’s cellars, hunting through their attics and digging up their gardens. He hopes to find meaningful truths about how folk lived their lives in the past. He is the author of the books Historic Building Mythbusting (2024) and The Buildings Archaeologist (2026).
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It was great to see many Trust members were in the audience for the Councils’ ‘Back to the Future’ event on Oct 20 at Chester Picturehouse. It was a celebration of achievements since the initial 2012 plan and an exciting insight into the developing plans for the cities future. The Event launched the second stage of engagement for Northgate Phase 2 regeneration scheme. An exhibition follows from 5 – 7pm at 30 St. Werburgh Street, continuing Oct 21 – 22 from 12 – 5pm.His talk explains the beginning of the rise to importance of Liverpool. Chester is a thriving powerful port and market town in Medieval times and Liverpool eventually supersedes Chester.
Mike’s talk covers this shift in importance and the shift of Norman administration from West Derby and its motte and bailey castle to the small fishing hamlet of Liverpool centred around its tidal pool. King John began a planned development to create a base for an attack on Ireland. The castle was built and a small grid plan of streets, still in place today.
We will be holding a raffle at this meeting to begin our fund raising for a dendrological survey of Bishop Lloyd’s Palace.
The talk will be followed by wine and snacks. The cost is £8.50 per person.
Book here: Booking – Medieval Liverpool Talk – Chester Civic Trust You will only be notified, if you do not have a place on this event.
Image courtesy of Liverpool Record Office.
]]>Bishops Lloyd Palace is considered by many architects to be the most beautiful building in Chester, remarkable because it dates from the 17th century with foundation stones from the 13th & 14th century. It was originally two buildings converted into one dwelling and incorporated into the famous South Rows on Watergate Street.
It has been associated with Chester Merchant Adventurers, a king’s ex-mistress, a coaching firm, a girls’ school, a pub and a cheesemaker. These days it is available to hire and can be booked as a hospitality and meetings venue or by community groups and businesses.
The three reception chambers will also be on show, with their Jacobean plasterwork and two intriguing fireplaces.
Refreshments will be served for which a small cash donation to charity would be appreciated.
Leaflets will be available and Chester Civic Trust members will be present to answer any questions.
More details at Bishop Lloyd’s Palace – Open Bishop Lloyd’s Palace is accessed from Row level, next to Rainforest.
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NICHOLAS PEVSNER, the architectural historian, described Rochdale Town Hall as having ‘a rare, picturesque beauty’. The building, opened in 1871, has recently undergone a £20 million restoration programme, led by Donald Insall Associates.
Tea and coffee will be served on arrival followed by an overview of the restoration given by TONY BARTON, the former Chair of Donald Insall Associates and the Chair of Chester Civic Trust’s Heritage Committee. After a guided tour of the Town Hall, a full buffet lunch will be provided by the in-house renowned Martlet Kitchen. Jay Rayner, a food critic for the Financial Times and presenter of Radio 4’s Kitchen Cabinet, has commented that ‘ the Martlet is where civic pride meets glorious cooking’.
After lunch we will travel to SMITHILLS HALL on the slopes of the West Pennine Moors. Smithills Hall is an unknown Grade1 listed gem. It is one of the oldest and best preserved manor houses in the North West. Over the years the original Medieval Hall has been added to by Tudor and Victorian wings.
The building was purchased for £70,000 by Bolton Corporation in 1938. There will not be a formal guided tour of the building however members of staff and volunteers from the Friends of Smithills Hall will be on hand to answer questions. Before we leave for our return journey to Chester the ‘Friends’ will provide refreshments.
November 25th, 7.30pm, Bishop Lloyd’s Palace
The Origins of the Castle and Port of Liverpool.
November 11th, 7.30pm. Grosvenor Museum Lecture Theatre
James Wright on his latest book,’The Buildings Archaeologist’
November 3rd, 6pm.
Annual General Meeting (AGM) at Bishop Lloyd’s Palace.
October 21st: 7.30pm. Grosvenor Museum Lecture Theatre
CWAC/VINCi Northgate 2 Update
October 15th
Visit to Rochdale Town Hall and Smithills Hall FULLY BOOKED
October 13th, 2pm.
Port of Chester, Bishop Lloyd’s Palace
October 5 – 9th
A 5 days / 4 nights visit to explore the castles, coast and history of Northumberland from 5th – 9th October 2026. FULLY BOOKED
SEPTEMBER 23rd
Wrexham’s Year of Wonder Day – A special day to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the 1876 Wrexham Art Treasures Exhibition Industrial Annexe and Wrexham’s industrial heritage and workforce – past, present and future. 10.30am – 4.00pm at Xplore! Henblas Street, Wrexham, LL13 8AE
SEPTEMBER 9th, 5pm.
Reception for Corporate Members. Speaker is Nick Walkley, Interim CEO of the Cheshire and Warrington Combined Authority.
JULY 8th
Bridgewater Revisited
JUNE 9th
Visit: Hooton’s Belfast Hangars, Sudley House and St Michael-in-the-Hamlet
JUNE 1st
Summer Social, Chez Jules, Chester
MAY 21st
May Lecture: Hooton Hall and Park, 2pm. at Bishop Lloyd’s Palace
APRIL 17th
Working Class Housing, a talk from Elizabeth Davey, Bishop Lloyd’s Palace, 2pm.
APRIL 15th
Lecture Series: Andy Farrall’s update on the One City Plan, at the Grosvenor Museum Lecture Theatre at 7.30pm.
MARCH 29 – 3 April
Visit to Gdansk
MARCH 18th – Grosvenor Museum Lecture Theatre at 7.30pm.
Lecture Series: Dr Abigail Lloyd on Place-making with time-depth and connection: how to use historical place-names in modern developments
MARCH 6th
How to Research Your Area with the award winning Hough Green Local History Society, Bishop Lloyd’s Palace, 2pm.
MARCH 3rd
A ‘Green’ visit to Liverpool, with an exclusive private tour of St George’s Hall
FEBRUARY 27th
The Friday Afternoon Murder Club, Bishop Lloyd’s Palace, 2pm.
FEBRUARY 13th
The REOPENED Harris Museum, Preston, Lytham Hall with snowdrops and meal.
JANUARY 10th – Bishop Lloyd’s Palace, 7pm,
New Year’s Quiz
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NOVEMBER 28th, – Bishop Lloyd’s Palace, 7.30pm.
A talk from David Ebbsworth on ‘French Fun: We’ll Always Have Paris’.
NOVEMBER 12th at the Grosvenor Museum Lecture Theatre at 7.30pm.
Lecture Series: Rose McArthur, Director of Highways, Transport and Climate Change for Cheshire West and Chester Council on the Achievements, Forthcoming Plans and Challenges facing the Council.
OCTOBER 30th
Bradford City of Culture
OCTOBER 13 – 19
North Lincolnshire study visit for members. The 5 day visit includes Gainsborough, capital of the Vikings, Lincoln’s castle, home to an original 1215 Magna Carta, the Wolds, an area of outstanding National Beauty, Louth, Tealby, the Bomber Command Centre, Tattershall Castle, and the Millennium Gallery in Sheffield on the way back to Chester.
OCTOBER 8th at the Grosvenor Museum Lecture Theatre at 7.30pm
Lecture Series: Paul Fielding of Lovelock Mitchell on ‘Chester’s other architect – T M Lockwood and Sons and their ongoing architectural legacy’.
OCTOBER 7th – Bishop Lloyd’s Palace, 7.30pm.
Professor Martin Heale on the Abbot’s Residence in Chester Cathedral.
OCTOBER 2nd – AGM – Cathedral Refectory, 7.30pm
Our key speaker will be Lady Alexis Redmond MBE, the Lord Lieutenant of Cheshire and President of Chester Civic Trust.
SEPTEMBER 25th – A walk in Eastham Pleasure Gardens.
Following on from the previous week’s talk from David Mottram we visit to see Eastham Pleasure Gardens in person. Limited places.
SEPTEMBER 18th – Bishop Lloyd’s Palace, 2pm.
David Mottram gives a talk on the history and brilliance of Eastham Pleasure Gardens.
SEPTEMBER 13th, Bishop Lloyd’s Palace, 10am – 4pm.
‘Tea at the Palace’ part of the UK’s Heritage Open Day celebrations September 13-21, come along and bring friends and relatives.
AUGUST 22nd at Bishop Lloyd’s Palace at 2.00pm.
Treasures in the Attic. A talk by Karen McKay.
JUNE 26th, Tuesday 7pm.
Celebration Sapphire Jubilee (65th year) Dinner – more details tba.
JUNE 12th
Day visit to The World of Glass, St Helens and Astley Hall, Chorley.
JUNE 10th at Bishop Lloyd’s Palace at 7.30pm.
Keep up to date with local archaeology
MAY 21st
Special guided tour of Wrexham.
MAY 16th 2pm. at Bishop Lloyd’s Palace at 2.00pm.
The Arts and Crafts Movement in Manchester.
APRIL 16th. at the Grosvenor Museum Lecture Theatre at 7.30pm
Lecture Series: Peter Cocker will give a talk on Thomas Brassey: The World’s Greatest Railway Builder, celebrated at Chester Railway Station.
APRIL 10th
Day visit to Llangollen including a tour of Plas Newydd. lunch and talk on the Pontcysllte World Heritage Site.
MARCH 31 – APRIL 4
Residential visit to the Surrey Hills including the Watts Gallery and Artists Village (details in the December Newsletter). Following from the lecture in November, a visit to the Watts Gallery and Village will be one of the highlights of the 5 day visit for members of the Trust. Other places of interest during the visit will include Hughenden Manor, the home of Benjamin Disraeli, the Stanley Spencer Gallery in Cookham and a private viewing of the National Trust’s Polesden Lacey.
MARCH 19th at the Grosvenor Museum Lecture Theatre at 7.30pm
Lecture Series: Colin Potts, Programme Leader International Tourism Management, University of Chester.
FEBRUARY 28th at Bishop Lloyd’s Palace at 7.30pm.
Chester Witches Peter Elliott and Clare Dudman
FEBRUARY 12th at the Grosvenor Museum Lecture Theatre at 7.30pm
Lecture Series: Create Streets – a Think Tank currently supporting Cheshire West and Chester.
THURSDAY JANUARY 30th at Bishop Lloyd’s Palace at 2.00pm
MICHAEL TREVOR BARNSTON, a Life Member of Chester Civic Trust, will give a talk about his family’s illustrious history followed by afternoon tea. Booking forms in the December Newsletter
WEDNESDAY JANUARY 15th at the Grosvenor Museum Lecture Theatre at 7.30pm
Lecture Series: DR JAMES WRIGHT will talk about his recent book ‘Historic Building Mythbusting’
JANUARY 5th 7pm. ‘Twelfth Night Quiz’ – Bishop Lloyds Palace – £10 including festive refreshments – booking forms in December mail out
More dates and details to come!!
Please note Civic Trust members have FREE admission to the lectures at the Grosvenor Museum. Guests are welcome £5 on the door.
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By the end of the 1730s trading prospects were looking good for Chester and its port. It had a new fledgling port and a good navigation route to the sea. But what happened between 1740 and 1860? What were its constraints and successes?
The Civic Trust has a continuing interest in promoting the maritime history of our city and it is particularly pleasing when a member can contribute to our knowledge. Tom Welsh was a lecturer in Geography and Earth Sciences at the University of Northampton. He has an ongoing interest in interpreting the past through landscape. Tom’s research is always meticulous, based on primary evidence. His insights are fresh and original.
Refreshments will follow the talk. The cost is £7.00. You will only be notified if you do not have a place for this talk.
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