The Victorian Society is asking the public to nominate buildings for its Top Ten most endangered Victorian and Edwardian buildings in England and Wales.
Appearing in the Victorian Society’s Top Ten list draws attention to a building’s plight and can help save it. Nominations close on Wednesday 1 July.
Individuals, organisations and campaign groups are invited to name the buildings and structures that are most at risk in their local area – whether from demolition, neglect or inappropriate redevelopment. Buildings must have been built between 1837 and 1914. Buildings in Wales to which have previously featured in the Society’s annual Top Ten include the Cardiff Coal Exchange (2014) and the Palace Theatre Swansea (2013).
Christopher Costelloe, Director of the Victorian Society, said: “All over the country fine examples of Victorian and Edwardian architecture face neglect, demolition or unsympathetic re-development.
“We want the public to be our eyes and ears and nominate the Victorian and Edwardian buildings we are most at risk of losing.
“Whether it’s a school building, an empty pub, a redundant chapel or a neglected but impressive feat of engineering, make sure you tell us about it so we can try to save them.’
To nominate a building contact the Victorian Society via email (media@victoriansociety.org.uk), tweet (@thevicsoc), Facebook (facebook.com/thevicsoc) or post (1 Priory Gardens, London W4 1TT) with brief details of the building(s) on or before Wednesday 1 July 2015.
All the buildings nominated will be considered by the Society’s architecture and conservation experts before the 2015 list of the Top Ten Most Endangered Buildings in England and Wales is announced.
There has been good news for some of 2014’s Top Ten: Emergency repair work has started at the Navigation Colliery in Crumlin funded by a £250,000 grant from the Welsh Government. Repair work is also expected to start on the Hammerhead Crane in Cowes following the release of funding from Historic England to appoint a specialist firm.
Since appearing in last year’s Top Ten a ‘Save the Cardiff Coal Exchange’ group has been set up to help secure funding for restoration with use as a hub for media businesses mooted. The Exchange is also due to be used as the set of a new film ‘The Crow’. It is thought the fee will be put towards emergency restoration works
Finally, the Society secured a meeting with Sheffield Council to discuss the future of the city’s Crimean war memorial which has been absent from the city for over a decade. Although the Council has so far failed to commit to re-erecting the monument plans for a £480m retail development in Sheffield Town Centre could perhaps provide an answer to finding both a location and funding.
