It was an auspicious
start to the English Heritage Angel Awards when it was announced that the main
sponsor, Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber was waylaid by ‘Jesus Christ’. Well actually
we mean here the national tour of ‘Jesus Christ Superstar”. So the wonderful
Claire Balding, the real star of the Olympics and Paralympic Games stepped in a
brilliant and witty fashion.
The English Heritage
Angel Awards are annual competition that celebrate the efforts of local people
in saving England’s heritage. More on this at: http://bit.ly/Vyr4H3
Cockermouth Town Council as part of the
Shopfront Steering Group was a big winner of the English Heritage Angels Awards
2012. The group won the Angel
award for the Best Rescue of any Heritage building or site. See the video of
Cockermouth at: http://bit.ly/RRBUBn
Heavily damaged by
floods in 2009, the Cockermouth High Street has undergone works to repair damage
and improve the appearance. The town council along with the borough council,
local civic trusts, and architects formed the Shopfront Steering Group to run
the scheme. Improvement has been made to 24 properties to date, including
replacing traditional signage. Cockermouth Town Council says: “The result had
been amazing and people are really proud of the town.”
The ceremony, held at
The Palace Theatre, was hosted by TV presenter Clare Balding, with Graham
Norton, Philip Mould, Culture Minister Ed Vaizey, Melvyn Bragg and Charles
Moore presenting the awards.
Lord Andrew Lloyd
Webber chaired the judging panel which comprised Simon Thurley, chief executive
of English Heritage, author and broadcaster Melvyn Bragg, Charles Moore of the
Telegraph, historian Bettany Hughes and the Bishop of London, the Right Revd
Richard Chartres.
Lord Webber said: “All
16 shortlisted groups were exceptional and the judges had a hard time deciding
between them. But in the end the winners stood out for their passion,
perseverance and imagination, for the scale of the challenges they had taken on
and for the legacy they leave behind – a secure future for beautiful historic
buildings which without them could so easily have simply disappeared.
“I am delighted that
this first year of the award scheme has brought so many heritage Angels into
the spotlight and look forward to many others joining their ranks in the years
to come.”
Simon Thurley said:
“Once again we have been dazzled by the energy, invention, commitment and
public spiritedness of thousands of people determined to save their precious
heritage. While the angel awards were presented to five people, we are all winners,
as we can now enjoy the historic places they have saved for the future.”
Clare Balding said:
“I’m thrilled to be presenting the Heritage Angels Awards once again. I was so
impressed with last year’s entries and know from this year’s list how much hard
work has continued to be invested in revitalising our country’s magical
buildings. These awards reward those who have completed work and inspire those
who have just begun.”
Other Award winners
were:
- Angel Award for the Best Repair of a Place of Worship: Pauline Burkitt and Simon Pleasley, Church Wardens for St Mary’s Church, West Somerton, Norfolk
- Angel Award for the Best Craftsmanship Employed on a Heritage Rescue: Station Developments for Tynemouth Station, North Tyneside
- Angel Award voted for by English Heritage followers and Telegraph readers: Russell Savory, Friends of Stow Maries Aerodrome for Stow Maries Word War I Airfield, Maldon, Essex
Films about all 16 of
the shortlisted candidates, including the winners, can be seen on the English
Heritage website: http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/angelawards
The English Heritage
Angel Awards are co-funded by the Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation: www.andrewlloydwebberfoundation.com
For photographs of the
winning projects and of the awards ceremony: http://bit.ly/PnrNsl
For films of the
shortlisted entries, see: http://bit.ly/RZDg0b
For films of the four
categories, see: http://bit.ly/OYzcgm
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