The winners of the prestigious English Heritage (EH) Heritage Angel awards were announced this week in a ceremony in London.
English Heritage (EH) writes:
Heritage fans flocked to the Palace Theatre this evening for the final of the English Heritage Angel Awards. Founded by Andrew Lloyd Webber in 2011, the awards are given to local people who go to extraordinary lengths to rescue historic buildings and sites of all kinds that would otherwise be lost to ruin and decay.
Addressing the packed audience, Andrew Lloyd Webber said: ‘I’m thrilled to be on stage presenting awards for heritage rescues. This is the fourth year of the Angel Awards which I founded to bring public attention to all the amazing people who dedicate themselves to saving heritage at risk. ‘I applaud our winners and indeed everyone who enters the Angels Awards – there are hundreds of unsung heritage heroes out there. It takes courage, tenacity and perseverance to tackle historic buildings at risk but the results make this country a better place for all for us.
Judges George Clarke, ‘Restoration Man’, Bettany Hughes, award-winning author, historian and broadcaster, and Emma Bridgewater, the famous pottery manufacturer, announced the winners and presented the awards. Sajid Javid and Phillip Mould also presented awards.
Culture Secretary Sajid Javid said: ‘I want to add my thanks and appreciation to the huge effort and commitment of people in their communities along with those that look after our historic buildings to save and protect our unique heritage. These awards pay testament to their excellent work and I want to congratulate everyone shortlisted for an award for the real difference they are making on a daily basis. I also want to thank Andrew Lloyd Webber for generously supporting these awards and also the Scottish Heritage Angel Awards which will start next year.’
Simon Thurley, Chief Executive of English Heritage, co-presented the show with Andrew Lloyd Webber. He said: ‘Bringing life back to heritage at risk benefits the economy, provides jobs, training and opportunity for local communities and gives this country its deep and lasting advantage as a place to live, work and visit. Heritage organisations are here to champion, advise and guide but the hard work at the coal face is done by people like our Angels here tonight – local volunteers, owners, craftsmen and women. They are a true source of inspiration to us all.’
Out of a strong field of 16 finalists, the winners were:
- for the best rescue or repair of a historic place of worship Brian Cooke for the rescue of All Saints, Leamington Hastings
- for the best rescue of a historic industrial building or site -The Renewable Heritage Trust for the rescue of Howsham Mill, York
- for the best craftsmanship by a trainee or apprentice employed on a heritage rescue – Adam Wilcockson for craftsmanship at Lincoln Cathedral, South-west turret
- for the best rescue of any other historic building or site -?Inayat Omarji for the rescue of All Souls’ Church, Bolton
- for getting most votes from English Heritage Followers and Telegraph Readers – Oldland Mill Trust Volunteers for the rescue of Oldland Windmill, Hassocks.
