Gauntlet News July 2007 Glastonbury Conservation Society Newsletter 123 Chairman's Notes John Brunsdon I was invited as mayor to open The gauntlet, a prestigious new walkway arcade linking the High Street with St. John's car park. There are 16 small shop units on what was a medieval burgage tenement - a long narrow strip - next to that of the Tribunal, marked out with granite setts. The idea has been five years in development since it first came to the owner Doug Hill. For much of that time the shop was occupied by the Tenovus cancer charity. Access from the High Street was created through the already altered listed shop front, giving the opportunity to restore and enhance it. The theme is Victorian and characterised by high standards of materials, design and workmanship. Non-slip paving slabs are laid for safety and CCTV security is installed. One notable feature in the new walkway is a window on the East side of the Tribunal building that was not previously in public view. Visitors arriving at the Town's main car park will have a convenient walk through to the High Street and the Tourist Information Centre. (And now that the award winning toilet block is open in the car park, there must be a strong case to move coaches from the neighbouring Northload car park). This is about conservation being protection and enhancement - not static preservation. The Tribunal should not be altered due to its importance, but in this instance an already altered listed building has been enhanced and its future made more sustainable. The development makes good use of land available, increasingly important in Glastonbury.