Chair's introduction
March 2020
Hello,
Welcome to our first newsletter of the new decade. A decade, we hope, of continuing growth in our activity and impact. You will see there is already a lot of positive activity emerging. Please look at our visits and events to see what interests you and book quickly as some of these are unique opportunities and they are nearly booked up already by supporters.
Whilst rescuing Wingfield Station is our most significant project, for which we will ask your support as it progresses, there is also current activity at Aqueduct Cottage and future activity at Sudbury Gasworks, and possibly even Derby Hippodrome; the latter two in association with sister Trusts.
As you will realise from our participation in the University Of Derby day, we are in need of volunteer supporters of all ages skills and abilities, whether to help with specific projects or the general promotion and management of the Trust. If you have some time, and the inclination, please contact Lucy (lucy@derbyshirehistoricbuildingstrust.org.uk) who will explain what opportunities are available
Yours ever,
Derek Latham (DHBT Chair)
dhbt - getting out and about
Visits Programme 2020
This year's DHBT programme of walks and tours is almost booked up with supporters making the most of the rare opportunities to view a range of historic buildings and venues. If you want to book a place or join a waiting list please visit DHBT's Eventbrite page: http://dhbt.eventbrite.com/
Foremark Hall, Repton
Friday 27th March at 2.00pm. Guided by Max Craven MBE and Oliver Gerrish. Ticket price £5.00
Buxton Crescent
Sunday 26th April at 2.00pm. Led by Jonathan Dawson, General Manager of the hotel and spa and Richard Tuffrey MBE, Advisor to the Buxton Crescent Heritage Trust and former heritage lead with High Peak Borough Council. Ticket price £10.00 (SOLD OUT - a waiting list is open).
The Strutt Farms at Belper: A Countryside Walk
Sunday 24th May 2.00pm. Led by Adrian Farmer BEM and architect Alex Gilbert in conjunction with Belper North Mill Trust. Ticket price £5.00. To purchase a ticket for this walk, visit https://www.wegottickets.com/event/497097
Bonsall Village
Sunday 28th June at 2.00pm. Led by Liz Stoppard, Leader of the Bonsall Field Barns Project. Ticket price £5.00.
Willersley Castle
Sunday 26th July at 3.00 pm. Led by Barry Joyce MBE and Doreen Buxton - joint authors of the Willersley Castle Research Paper. Ticket price £5.00 (SOLD OUT - a waiting list is open).
Ogston Hall
Sunday 9th August at 2.30pm by kind permission of the owners Mr and Mrs David Wakefield. Ticket price £10.00 including tea and biscuits.
Allestree Hall, Derby
Sunday 20th September at 2.00pm. Led by Andrew Rose and Max Craven MBE. Ticket price £8 (SOLD OUT - a waiting list is open).
Derby Railway Cottages and The Brunswick Inn
Sunday 18th October at 2.00pm. Led by Derek Latham, DHBT Chairman and Max Craven MBE. Ticket price £5.00
aqueduct cottage - a joint venture with derbyshire wildlife trust
Sitting on the Restoration Steering Group since 2018, DHBT has been working with the Derbyshire Wildlife Trust to rescue and restore Aqueduct Cottage along the banks of Cromford Canal.
Many volunteer hours have already been spent clearing the site of vegetation and rubble ready for the building work which started last month.
A “light touch” restoration and “informed reconstruction”, using traditional methods and materials will recreate the main structure of the cottage and privy/pig sty outbuilding so it is as close as possible to their original external appearance.
Ultimately, it is hoped to use the building as a visitor hub including a multi-purpose space for use by schools and community groups.
The project has received a £35,000 grant from the Pilgrim Trust Foundation and further cash is being raised through a new crowdfunded campaign which is proving very successful. If you'd like to support this project, you can 'buy a brick' for a £25 donation. Call Derbyshire Wildlife Trust on 01773 881188 and have your payment card handy.
Architecture awards
2019 review
16th November, Elvaston Castle
The 2019 DHBT Architecture Awards were held at the Gothic Hall, Elvaston Castle in November. Preceded by tea and cakes and followed by celebratory champagne and canapés, the Awards are an acknowledgement of those who seek to restore and preserve the county's historic architecture.
Organiser of the awards, DHBT Trustee Oliver Gerrish (pictured, right), thanked fellow judges Matthew Parris, Ian Webster, Liz Stoppard, Peter Milner, Ian Griffiths, David Marley and Barry Joyce before introducing Kit Martin CBE (pictured, left) - the renowned architectural designer, known for his restoration of historic buildings - to make the presentations.
Applications for the 2020 Awards will be opening soon. There are a number of categories available to enter and we encourage entries from organisations and individuals across the county.
Award Winners
Restoration of an historic building in an urban setting:
Joint winners: New Bath Hotel, owner Ahmad Jajbhay; and Ashbourne Town Hall - Guy Taylor Associates for Ashbourne Town Council.
Commended: Coach House at Cavendish Hotel - Haxton Koyander Architecture Ltd for Chatsworth Settlement Trustees.
Reuse of an historic building:
Winner: Wirksworth Heritage Centre - Latham Architects for Wirksworth Heritage Trust.
Commended: Armsgate, Melbourne - Matthew Montague Architects for Stanton Developments.
Commended: The Cosy Club, Derby - David Bland (external works), Richard Pedlar Architects (for the Cosy Club) and Greenhill Construction Ltd for Clowes Developments.
New building in an historic setting:
Winner: The dining hall at Foremark Hall - Matthew Montague Architects for Foremark Hall School.
Commended: Stackyard Cottage - James Boon Architects.
Conservation Champion:
Jason Skipper for his work in restoring the Lido at the New Bath Hotel, Matlock Bath.
Deborah Devonshire Award for an outstanding overall project:
Long Mill at Darley Abbey Mills - CTD Architects for Patterns Developments Ltd.
Photograph courtesy of Derbyshire Life magazine.
rescuing and restoring sudbury gasworks
Capital works planned for 2020
Sudbury Gasworks is, and remains one of, DHBT's top 12 buildings at risk in the county.
It's great news then, that The National Lottery Heritage Fund has approved a £1.4m grant to restore the old Victorian Gasworks and create a space for the local community.
Sudbury Gasworks Restoration Trust (SGRT) - with the backing of DHBT - will oversee the preservation and refurbishment of the 1874 Sudbury Gasworks structure and site. They plan to extend the building sympathetically on the footprint of the site and secure the long term future of the building.
The Grade II listed ‘at risk’ building is attributed to George Devey, an architect best known for his work on English country houses and estates. The original purpose of the building was to manufacture gas from coal to supply Sudbury Hall (now a National Trust property) and village.
Work on the buildings is set to start later on this year and last for around 12 months. When complete, Sudbury Gasworks will provide community benefits and create income streams to support the ongoing maintenance.
A ‘drop-in heritage’ space will be created in the former retort house - where coal was heated to produce gas. And a new-build circular main hall will be constructed on the footprint of the demolished gasholder to accommodate up to 100 people for a range of purposes including weddings. For more information find @SudburyGasworks on social media or visit their website www.sudburygasworks.com
Wingfield station
Community Launch Events - 24th March and 8th April 2020
As you will probably all know by now, DHBT has finally taken ownership of Wingfield station - one of the country's top ten most important 'at risk' buildings. Now plans are underway to repair and conserve the historically important building for future business and community use.
The rescue was made possible thanks to action by Amber Valley Borough Council to compulsorily purchase the building after more than 30 years of concern.
Built in 1840, the Grade II* Wingfield Station and Parcel Shed closed in 1967 and is one of the earliest stations built in England - possibly the world. It is also the last surviving example of railway architect, Francis Thompson's best work on the North Midland Railway.
Francis Thompson was commissioned by Robert Stephenson - son of George Stephenson - to design 24 stations along the Derby to Leeds section of the North Midland Line. Wingfield Station is the only one to survive.
Development funding of £137,000 has been awarded to DHBT by The National Lottery Heritage Fund to start the project and an application for a further grant to complete the work is planned.
To mark the start of the project DHBT is holding Community Launch events on Tuesday 24 March and Wednesday 8th April both at 7pm at The South Wingfield Social Club. Entry is free but places are limited and booking is essential. The 24th March session is now sold out but tickets are still available for the 8th April -https://wingfield-station2.eventbrite.co.uk
save the date - deborah deveonshire dhbt exhibition - Saturday 27th June, 1pm
Our exhibition celebrates Deborah Devonshire's (Debbo's) incredible work with DHBT. Over many years she was instrumental in saving much of Derbyshire's built heritage that would have otherwise been demolished or badly neglected or converted. She would have been 100 this year. Her Grace the Duchess of Devonshire was the President of DHBT for a number of years.
DHBT has an archive of fascinating photographs and newspaper cuttings as well as wonderful stories and memories of her life and work and Friends of the Trust are invited to a special exhibition this year.
What: A small exhibition, cream tea and Pimms and a ten minute performance of the fairy scene from 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'
When: Saturday 27th June 2020 at 1pm
Where: Chatsworth and the Hopkinsons House Great Hall and lost garden
Who: Friends, DHBT trustees and Sponsors
We hope our exhibition will expand at a later date to include the Devonshire’s impact on Derbyshire through the centuries in creating and protecting some of our most treasured buildings. Look out for more information about this exhibition coming soon.
derby hippodrome - dhbt call for action
DHBT Chairman Derek Latham has high hopes that a future can be found for Derby's historic Hippodrome theatre.
An initial meeting has already been held between DHBT, Derby City Council, the University of Derby, Historic England and the Derby Hippodrome Restoration Trust - supported by the Derby Civic Trust.
"Everyone is keen to see if the Grade II listed building can be brought back into use for the community," says Derek.
"It's one of our top 12 historic buildings at risk in Derbyshire and has been slowly deteriorating over the last 10 years. There's a long way to go yet to save it, repair it and put it back into use. But watch this space..."
DHBT launch at the university of derby - 30th march 2020
A special day to introduce the University of Derby students, and any interested members of the public, to the work and history of DHBT has been arranged for Monday 30th March. More details to follow on our website and via social media. Follow DHBT @dhbtrust on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.