Best building restoration projects commended in Harry Johnson Awards run by Nottinghamshire Building Preservation Trust and Nottingham Branch of the Campaign to Protect Rural England, and Norwell featured heavily

The best of the best building restoration projects entered for the Harry Johnson Award 2022 received their awards at the annual meeting of the Nottinghamshire Building Preservation Trust in Norwell Village Hall.

Two successful entries from the eight submitted are buildings in Norwell, a village with many hidden 16th Century timber-framed buildings now well recorded by the Norwell Parish Heritage Group.

The Conservation Award is made to Auld Cottage, Main Street, a small 16th Century barn in danger of collapse now a holiday-let conserved and converted by a team of volunteers and skilled craftspeople under the guidance of Britt Harwood of Inc Architecture Ltd.

The Old School, School Lane, was converted by the previous owners and sponsored by the Norwell Parish Heritage Group, commended for its careful conservation and because it is one of the three school buildings in the village and retains many of its Victorian features as an important part of the village’s history.

A second commendation went to The Chapel, Chapel Lane, Scrooby, which could hardly be further north in the county.

Converted from a redundant Primitive Methodist Chapel to a two-bedroom dwelling with careful restoration of its original porch and lime rendered façade. The work was carried out under the direction of Pearce Bottomley Architects.

Since the introduction of the Harry Johnson Awards by the Nottinghamshire Building Preservation Trust Ltd (NBPT) in a joint venture with the Nottingham Branch of the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) 30 years ago, entries have been sought for an award for the best conversion or new build which enhances its location.

The award is in memory of one of the county’s outstanding architects, whose support of the two organisations established them both as energetic guardians of Nottinghamshire’s heritage.

There was also a presentation of their work by the owners and discussion on conserving redundant buildings at the meeting.