Forgotten Buildings Need Your Help!!

Further from the crumbling blacksmith's shed that I blogged about in my last post, I was reading through this month's Country Life and saw this article from the Victorian Society and just had to write about it:

"The annual hunt for Britain’s saddest Victorian and Edwardian Building starts this month. The Victorian Society is asking historians, local campaigners and enthusiasts to name and shame neglected buildings between 1837 and 1914 in their locality, from major country houses to mills, pubs, churches, libraries, swimming pools and schools. Buildings do not need to be listed, but they must be at risk of demolition, neglect or insensitive development.

Closing date is July 17 and the top 10 will be announced in the autumn. To enter your nominations, please contact the Victorian Society at the above link."

This type of work is really important as otherwise these building's may go unnoticed until it is too late.

Oldham Town Hall - on the VS top ten endangered list 2009.

Ewelme 

In the absolutely beautiful weather we had today, I spent the entire time outside on a recording day with Oxford Buildings Record and their project with the Victoria County History volume for Oxfordshire. Wandering the village of Ewelme with 20 other volunteers, we were basically being exceptionally nosey under the pretence of recording. 

However, within one mile of village there were some intriguing examples of vernacular architecture. Now, those that know me know that I am not vernacular architectures most biggest fan, yet some of these cottages, along with the in-depth knowledge of the team leaders, managed to change even my rather stubborn mind ( as well as making me realise that I have a long road of learning ahead........)

I won't go into detail, but here are some examples. 

3 phase thatched cottage (16th C - 1997):

Grade II listed Iron Foundry that still has everything inside, bellows included! 

Believe it or not, this is a Primary School. 

Carpenters mark on a rafter in the village's Almshouse that dates to 1437. 

Normanton Church

Last weekend I went up to visit a friend in Leicester who is getting married in September. As I hadn't seen the venue yet (and as I am chief bridesmaid) she drove me out to Rutland on Water to take a peak.

I had seen some pictures, but they just do not do the little church justice. Placed right out on the edge of the water, it is the most beautiful Neo-Classical estate church that I have ever seen.

Grade II listed, it is surrounded on three sides by water and has a stunning view. The tower and western portico, which overlooks the estuary, were built between 1826 and 1829 by Thomas Cundy Jr. The design was based on that of St John's Church in Smith Square, Westminster.

The use of Ionic and Corinthian capitals as you work your way higher up the building is a common theme with neo-classical architecture. Generally, the more leaves the capital has on it, the more female it is.

The nave and apse date to over a century later and can be seen in the different styles of ionic capitals and collumns, as well as the keystones and hood moulding around the windows to the right of the picture:

We couldn't go inside as there was another wedding going on. So i'll finish off with a huge CONGRATULATIONS to the lovely couple-to-be in September. This is a stunning building to start the rest of your life together!!