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WILLIAM STANSELL/SBPT BUILDING AWARDS

STOP PRESS!!!   We are delighted to announce that Tauntfield Ltd has agreed to sponsor the William Stansell/SBPT Building Awards for a further 10 years, to be held biennially.  Thank you Tauntfield.

These Awards were introduced by the Somerset Building Preservation Trust in 2000, the main aim being to raise the standards for design and construction of new buildings and for the alteration, conversion and repair of old buildings in Somerset.  The Awards also aim to draw attention to the positive contribution that well designed and conserved buildings make to their surroundings.

Well-known and eminent judges are invited to help make the selection. We were enormously proud to welcome Kevin McCloud of "Grand Designs" recently. His contribution to the judging was, as one would expect, superb. On another occasion, Colin Johns, Chariman of the Association of Preservation Trusts shared his immense knowledge as a judge. This year Jo Hibbert,the conservation architect well known on the television programme "Restored to Glory" kindly helped us.

The necessary and generous funding for the Awards comes primarily from property developers, Tauntfield Ltd, Taunton, of the Stansell family Company, who were originally builders as well as developers. William Stansell founded the Company in 1823 and his main love was the conservation and repair of historic buildings.  In addition the Somerset County Council along with Mendip and South Somerset District Councils provide funding.  The scheme has been run every other year over the last 10 years with each District Council Conservation Officer taking turns in organising the judging. 

 

2008 AWARDS

The 2008 Awards Ceremony was held at The Tithe Barn, Dunster - a perfect setting for this prestigious event.   The Awards were presented by Richard Lloyd, Chairman and Chief Executive of Tauntfield Ltd.

Thirty four entries were received - all of them of an very high standard which made the judges' task to select Award winners and Commendations extremely difficult.  The judges were Jo Hibbert, Patrick Brown (retired conservation architect and lecturer and SBPT Trustee) and Paul Dadson recently Principal Planning Officer for West Somerset Council and now a Conservation Officer for Mid-Devon District Council.  The judging arrangements were undertaken by Steph Woodbury of Taunton Deane Borough Council, with her son, Rob, undertaking the photography of the Award winning entries and Commendations which he completed free of charge - thank you Steph and Rob.

The Award Winners are:

All Saints Church, West Camel for the re-ordering of the Church to enable it to be used more fully.

Richard Lloyd presents Award Winning Philip Hughes of Philip Hughes Associates with the plaque and Certificate.

 

Clerks Cottage, Spaxton:  for the restoration and conversion of a derelict Grade II* Medieval Hall House into a dwelling.

Award Winners Jenny Chesher and Cyril Harriss with Richard Lloyd

 

Dunster Tithe Barn:  for the restoration and conversion of the Tithe Barn into a multi-purpose Community Hall

Graham Lamacraft, Chairman Dunster Tithe Barn Community Hall Trust with Richard Lloyd

8 Market Place, Shepton Mallet:  for the restoratin and conversion of this 17th century house, into a single dwelling

Jon Maine and his wife with Richard Lloyd

 

The Friends' Building, Wells Cathedral:  for a new-build providnig much-needed education and music resources as well as cloakrooms for the public

Ken Biggs, Builder for Friends Building, Wells Cathedral with Richard Lloyd

 

Whitestaunton Manor, Nr Chard:  for the important restoraton of the first floor hall hammer beam roof

left to right:  Paul Dadson and Jo Hibbert, Judges:  the owners of Whitestaunton Manor:  Piers Denny of Carrek Ltd and Patrick Brown, judge.

THE COMMENDATIONS ARE:

Almonry Cottage, Muchelney:  for the repair, conservation and construction of extensions to the rear of a Grade II listed cottage

Sir Anthony Denny, owner of Almonry Cottage with Richard Lloyd

Great Bow Wharf, Langport:  for the restoration and conversion of a derelict Warehouse to provide offices, community space and a bistro

left to right:   Patrick Stow, Structural Engineer:  Piers Denny, Carrek Ltd, Builders:  Jo Hibbert, Judge:  David Gordon, immediate past Chairman of the ECOS Trust:  Paul Dadson, Judge:  Charles Couzens, Executive Director, ECOS Trust

 

Stowey Haystore:  for the restoration and convservation of Stowey Haystore dated 1788, considered a rare unaltered survival.

Mr and Mrs O'Sullivan, owners and builders with Richard Lloyd

 

The Cornhill, Bridgwater:  for the renovation and enhancement of an historically important building.

Councillor Duncan McGinty, Leader of Sedgemoor District Council with Richard Lloyd

 

For more information about the Awards in general please contact the SBPT Secretary, Erica Adams,  Tel/Fax  01823 669022 and Email   erica.adams1@tiscali.co.uk.