National Railway Heritage Awards

The Awards were instituted in 1979 as the Best Restored In the Voluntary Sector, entries frequently aim at re- Station Competition, with the object of encouraging creating a period atmosphere, in which case authenticity PUBLISHING high standards of structural restoration and is an important factor. The fact that much work is done environmental care by amateur groups involved in by volunteers in their spare time, with limited finance HERITAGE railway preservation. It was then suggested that awards and resources, dictates an appropriate approach. In such RAILWAY OF THE might also be made for restoration work by cases, incomplete work that shows particular promise YEAR AWARD itself, by other public or commercial organisations, or by can gain an Award. Despite seemingly daunting private individuals responsible for restoring an difficulties, standards in the Voluntary Sector are Each year a team of operational or redundant station structure, so for several commendably high and some stations have won Awards judges visit most years the competition was divided into Voluntary and several times. preserved railways in Public & Commercial Sectors. A further change in the The panel of Adjudicators consists of: Britain. By awarding emphasis of the individual Awards has seen the two David Lawrence, Chairman [formerly Property Directoc marks for those aspects of sectors now competing successfully on equal terms. British Rail Property Board]; most concern to visitors - Any present or former railway or tramway structure is Louisa Humm [Inspector of Historic Buildings, Historic the facilities, the scenery, eligible if it is: Scotland]; the cleanliness etc - it is An existing structure that has received sympathetic Mary King [King Partnership]; possible to draw up a restoration, for any purpose; Dr Marilyn Palmer [Emeritus Professor of Industrial 'league table' of the A replica structure intended to recreate or augment Archeology, School of Archaeology and Ancient preserved railways, from some aspect of the railway or tramway heritage; History, University of Leicester]; which the winner is A new structure designed in traditional style in order Oliver Pearcey [formerly Director of Special Projects, chosen. to blend with or complement a local environment; English Heritage]; A former structure now used for another purpose, Gavin Watson [Secretar)! Pevsner Books Trust]; but reflects the association with its former use. Robin Leleux [Secretary]. Extensive alterations or complete rebuilding must fall Initial inspections are made in the summer by judges within one of these criteria, although modernised drawn from a panel based in all parts of the United structures are encouraged for entry, provided that a Kingdom and the Republic oflreland, and entries significant proportion of the original fabric remains. receiving high initial marks are visited independently a Particular attention is paid to the skill exercised in second time by another judge. Adjudicators make the blending new with old, inside and out. Large-scale final choice, and the Awards are presented in December. restoration is not necessary; the emphasis is on overall The Management Committee is very grateful to all our quality and thoroughness, sympathetic treatment, Sponsors, without whose support we could not conduct attention to detail, conservation practice, attractiveness the wards scheme. Ian Allan Publishing Ltd has to the public and regard for the local environment. generously sponsored the Awards since 1979. The As examples of the variety of entrants, previous winners national railway, now represented by Network Rail has have included local authorities, commercial companies, supported us from the outset. We are also strongly museums, local amenity societies and private individuals. supported by FirstGroup, , lnvensys Particular encouragement is given to the restoration of Rail, the Railway Heritage Trust, ATOC (the Association redundant railway and tramway buildings, either for a of Train Operating Companies) and for totally new use or as part of a station or site where they London. are no longer required for operational purposes. One We are also strongly supported by the Railway Heritage condition of entry, which the Adjudicators will note Committee, the Heritage Railway Association and carefully, is the maintenance regime; an Award will not J & J Longbottom Ltd. be given to a building, which is unlikely to be maintained. John Ellis Chairman, Management Committee