Work never stops to preserve our rich heritage

Prominent buildings in the Westcountry that are at risk of falling into disrepair are highlighted today in a report by Historic England. PHILIP BOWERN reports

HISTORIC England’s annual Heritage at Risk Register gives an annual snapshot of the critical health of England’s most valued historic places and those most at risk of being lost as a result of neglect, decay or inappropriate development.

Over the past year, 54 historic buildings and sites have been added to the Register in the South West of England because of their deteriorating condition.

Examples include King Arthur’s Great Halls, at Tintagel in Cornwall, where poor condition threatens precious stained glass and artwork; Barnstaple Guildhall, in Devon, which needs structural repair and improved access; and four coastal monuments on the Isles of Scilly which are at risk from climate change.

In the wider region, other wellknown buildings at risk include Malmesbury Abbey, Wiltshire, which now faces major roof repairs, but 80 sites have been saved and their futures secured.

Many have been rescued thanks to heritage partners and dedicated teams of volunteers, community groups, charities, owners and councils, working together with Historic England.

In Devon and Cornwall, sites that were crumbling but have now been preserved include the scheduled monument of Cadsonbury hillfort, overlooking the River Lynher in south-east Cornwall.

In the wider region, those saved include St Peter’s Church, at Castle Park in Bristol, where medieval stonework repairs are now complete; Cleveland Pools, in Bath, which reopened to swimmers after 40 years following a major conservation project; and Stowey Castle, in Somerset, which has been saved by a dedicated local group.

Historic England awarded £950,000 in repair grants to 46 historic places and sites, including conservation areas, in the South West on the Heritage at Risk Register over the past year. In addition, £400,000 from the Culture Recovery Fund was spent in the region.

Rebecca Barrett, regional director at Historic England, said: “It is central to Historic England’s mission that we pass on to future generations the rich legacy of historic buildings and places that we have inherited from previous generations.

“Our Heritage at Risk programme is a key contributor to this ambition. With the help of local communities and partners, imaginative thinking and business planning, we can bring historic places back to life in the South West.

“It is truly heartening to see how people across the region have come together to save the places they love – from the Stowey Green Spaces Group to the supporters of the Cleveland Pools project.

“Their pride in place is evident and key to their success but, as the 54 new entries on our Register show, there are challenges ahead for many communities. Strong partnerships with supporters, funders, conservation specialists and skilled craftspeople remain crucial to securing the future of many historic sites and places in the future.”

Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay, Heritage Minister, said: “Historic England’s Heritage at Risk Register plays a vital role in our ongoing mission to protect and preserve our rich heritage across the country. It helps to ensure that future generations can continue to benefit from everything our historic sites and buildings have to offer.”