English Heritage Angel Awards announced

From English Heritage:

WWI AIRFIELD, VICTORIAN STATION, CANALS, FLOOD-RAVAGED TOWN AND NORFOLK CHURCH WIN ENGLISH HERITAGE ANGEL AWARDS

Andrew Lloyd Webber Awards for Local People who Save Their Heritage

The winners of the English Heritage Angel Awards, founded last year by Andrew Lloyd Webber to celebrate the efforts of local people in rescuing their heritage, were announced at a gala ceremony in London’s West End today (Monday 22 October). The award scheme is run by English Heritage and inspired by its Heritage at Risk Register.

The ceremony, held at The Palace Theatre, was hosted by TV presenter Clare Balding, with Graham Norton, Philip Mould, Culture Minister Ed Vaizey, Melvyn Bragg and Charles Moore presenting the awards.

Angel awards went to five winners out of the 16 finalists:

Angel Award for the Best Rescue of an Industrial Building or Site
 - Max Sinclair for The Droitwich Canals, Wychavon, Worcestershire

Angel Award for the Best Rescue of any Heritage building or site
- Cockermouth Shopfront Steering Group for Main Street, Cumbria

Angel Award for the Best Repair of a Place of Worship
 - Pauline Burkitt and Simon Pleasley, Church Wardens for St Mary’s Church, West Somerton, Norfolk

Angel Award for the Best Craftsmanship Employed on a Heritage Rescue
- Station Developments for Tynemouth Station, North Tyneside

Angel Award voted for by English Heritage followers and Telegraph readers
- Russell Savory, Friends of Stow Maries Aerodrome for Stow Maries Word War I Airfield, Maldon, Essex

Andrew Lloyd Webber chaired the judging panel which comprised Simon Thurley, Chief Executive of English Heritage, author and broadcaster Melvyn Bragg, Charles Moore of the Telegraph, historian Bettany Hughes and the Bishop of London, the Right Revd Richard Chartres.

Andrew Lloyd Webber said: “I am delighted for all the winners of this year’s Angel Awards who were chosen from a very strong shortlist. I think it is hugely important to publicly recognise the efforts of those rescuing heritage sites in order to show our appreciation for their work and encourage even more people across the country to do the same.”

Dr Simon Thurley said: “Once again we have been dazzled by the energy, invention, commitment and public spiritedness of thousands of people determined to save their precious heritage. While the angel awards were presented to five people, we are all winners, as we can now enjoy the historic places they have saved for the future.”

Clare Balding said: “I’m thrilled to be presenting the Heritage Angels Awards once again. I was so impressed with last year’s entries and know from this year’s list how much hard work has continued to be invested in revitalising our country’s magical buildings. These awards reward those who have completed work and inspire those who have just begun.”

The Telegraph is the media partner for the English Heritage Angel Awards and films about all 16 of the shortlisted candidates, including the winners, can be seen on the English Heritage website www.english-heritage.org.uk/angelawards

The English Heritage Angel Awards are co-funded by the Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation. www.andrewlloydwebberfoundation.com

For photographs of the winning projects and of the awards ceremony, https://picasaweb.google.com/101554616913588617820/EnglishHeritageAngelAwards2012Winners?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCITV69fxkL-_eA&feat=directlink

(With thanks to English Heritage)

Chris

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