Heritage 'Angels' celebrated
English Heritage recognises those who have saved significant historic buildings.
The awards - co-funded by the Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation - are designed to draw attention to the extraordinary commitment of individuals or groups who have saved buildings that were at risk of being lost forever.
Judged by a panel including Lord Lloyd Webber and Melvyn Bragg, the awards - handed out today at the Palace Theatre - recognised the following categories:
- the best craftsmanship employed on a heritage rescue
- the best rescue of a historic industrial building or site
- the best rescue or repair of a historic place of worship
- the best rescue of any other entry on the ‘Heritage at Risk register’
- a special ‘favourite’ category voted for by Telegraph subscribers and English Heritage members
Winners ranged from a restored colliery to a Victorian orangery. Photos and additional information can be seen on the English Heritage website.
Andrew Lloyd 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.