Winners of English Heritage Angel Awards 2013

From English Heritage (www.english-heritage.org.uk)

LONDON PUB, LEAD MINE, GOTHIC FOLLY AND LEICESTERSHIRE CHURCH - WINNERS OF THE ENGLISH HERITAGE ANGEL AWARDS 2013

- Andrew Lloyd Webber Awards for Local People who Save Their Heritage–

The winners of the English Heritage Angel Awards, founded by Andrew Lloyd Webber to celebrate the efforts of local people in rescuing their heritage, were announced at a glittering West End show in London today (Monday 21 October, 2013). The annual awards are run by English Heritage and inspired by its Heritage at Risk Register.

Andrew Lloyd Webber, addressing a packed audience of heritage experts and enthusiasts at the Palace Theatre said: “Every year the Angel Awards bring more and more outstanding heritage rescue projects to public attention and I am delighted that through the Angel Awards we can properly celebrate the people involved. This year’s winners have shown courage, tenacity and perseverance and have saved listed buildings and historic ruins from being lost to posterity. Now these places have a future. They will uplift and enlighten all who come across them and will be cherished by their communities for generations to come.”

Paul Martin hosted the show. Andrew Lloyd Webber, George Clarke, “Restoration Man”, Bettany Hughes, award-winning author, historian and broadcaster, and Richard Chartres Bishop of London gave speeches, announced the winners and presented the awards.

Out of a strong field of 17 finalists, the winners were:

Angel Award for the Best Rescue of an Industrial Building or Site
Malcolm and James Nattrass for Low Slit Mine, Bishop Auckland, Co Durham

Angel Award for the Best Rescue of any Heritage building or site
Ivy House Community Pub Limited for the Ivy House Public House, Southwark, London

Angel Award for the Best Repair of a Place of Worship
St James’s Restoration Fund and Parochial Church Council for the Church of St James the Greater, Ab Kettleby, Leicestershire

Angel Award for the Best Craftsmanship Employed on a Heritage Rescue
Vivat Trust / Save Hadlow Tower Action Group for Hadlow Tower, Tonbridge, Kent

Angel Award voted for by English Heritage followers and Telegraph readers
Vivat Trust / Save Hadlow Tower Action Group for Hadlow Tower, Tonbridge, Kent.

Paul Martin said: “A pub, a church, a mine and a tower built for partying – our winners have saved places which say so much about the variety of England’s buildings and the richness of our culture. These places don’t just tell us about the past. The human stories behind their rescues tell us just as much about the present. I’d love to visit all of them – though not in the same day!”

Simon Thurley, Chief Executive of English Heritage, said: “This year we, as a nation, celebrate a hundred years of heritage protection by the government – but the Angels prove again that it is individuals, inspired by their local historic treasures who make all the difference. While we need official bodies to give legal protection to our national heritage, it is ordinary people who more often than not save important historic places that have fallen into neglect and disrepair. I salute all our winners and hope that they will inspire others to follow their brilliant example. ”

Andrew Lloyd Webber chaired the judging panel which comprised Simon Thurley, Chief Executive of English Heritage, Charles Moore of the Telegraph, Bettany Hughes, George Clarke and the Bishop of London.

For more information on the winners see www.english-heritage.org.uk/caring/angel-awards/winners-2013/. Short videos of all 17 of the shortlisted candidates, including the winners, can be seen on the English Heritage website www.english-heritage.org.uk/angelawards and on the English Heritage YouTube channel http://bit.ly/16fCCPW.

The English Heritage Angel Awards are co-funded by the Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation. www.andrewlloydwebberfoundation.com and the Telegraph is the media partner. More information about the English Heritage Angel Awards is at www.english-heritage.org.uk/angelawards

(With thanks to Debbie Hickman)

Chris

My latest book, Discover Scottish Civil Registration Records, is now available from http://www.gould.com.au (print) and http://www.gen-ebooks.com/unlock-the-past.html (ebook), whilst Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet is available at http://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Tracing-Your-Irish-History-on-the-Internet/p/3889/. My next Pharos Scottish course, Scotland 1750-1850: Beyond the OPRs, starts Nov 13th - see http://pharostutors.com.