[05
MAR 01] SPON END BUILDING PRESERVATION TRUST NEWS
English Heritage Backs Black Swan Work
A
derelict medieval terrace in Coventry has been singled out by English
Heritage as a prime example of how skilled craftsmanship can restore
buildings to their former glory.
The
organisation, which is in charge of heritage and conservation across
the country, has designated 2001 as the Year of Crafts and Skills.
Events
have been arranged across the region to celebrate the skills that
allow buildings to be conserved after decades of neglect.
Unable
to travel into the countryside because of the foot and mouth
restrictions, regional director Mary King visited Black Swan Terrace
in Upper Spon Street in Spon End to announce the year of activities.
MARY KING VISITED
BLACK SWAN TERRACE
She
said:
"We
are lucky in the West Midlands to be able to call on a wide range of
skills - both traditional and more modern - for the understanding
and repair of the historic environment.
“The
repair of Black Swan Terrace in Upper Spon Street in Coventry is a
good example of how this can work in practice.
“The
Terrace is listed Grade II*, because of its exceptional historic
interest, but it would be difficult to tell this from the outside.
“Over
the years layers of alteration and decay have hidden a row of six
15th century timber cottages that survives in remarkably complete
condition.
“Skilled
research has enabled archaeologists to piece together its history
and the Spon End Building Preservation Trust is harnessing the
skills of conservation architect and craftsmen to repair the
building without removing any of the important historical evidence
that has been uncovered.
"The
first phase will see urgent works carried out to stabilise and
protect the structure, while further phases will see it converted
into workshops as part of a project supporting the regeneration of
the local community.
“It
is appropriate that a building which started its life as workshops
in the 15th century should, over 500 years later, again be providing
workspaces, although those who work here now are likely to have
modern IT skills rather than the traditional skills that the
buildings first housed.
“English
Heritage is very pleased to be supporting a project which shows how
much historic buildings can still contribute to the quality of our
lives today".
Colin
Walker of the Spon End Building and Preservation Trust, said the visit
from English Heritage was a good way of raising the project’s
profile.
He
added:
“It’s
bound to do us no harm when we apply for the next phase of funding.
The scaffolding is almost in place and the roof sheeting is going on
shortly, and we are now waiting to hear about the next phase.”
The
Trust has a website with details of the project: http://www.sponend.org.uk/sebpt SEE
[25 JAN 01] EMERGENCY
REPAIRS START AT MEDIEVAL BUILDING
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