Endangered Norfolk church among key heritage sites saved from ruin
Historic England have published their annual Heritage at Risk Register
Lots of endangered buildings in the East of England, including a near derelict church in Forncett St Mary which was mentioned in the Domesday Book, have been saved from ruin.
That's according to Historic England, who've published their annual Heritage at Risk Register, which gives an annual snapshot of the critical health of England’s most valued historic places and those most at risk of being lost as a result of neglect, decay or inappropriate development.
Over the past year, 21 historic buildings and sites have been added to the Register in the East of England because of their deteriorating condition and 39 sites have been saved, with their futures secured.
Historic England say heritage partners and dedicated teams of volunteers, community groups, charities, owners and councils have worked hard to rescue important buildings.
Historic England awarded £1.08 million in repair grants to 28 historic places and sites, including conservation areas, on the Heritage at Risk Register in the East of England over the past year.
Three historic places at risk have together benefited from close to half a million in grants from the heritage at risk strand of the Culture Recovery Fund during 2021/2022.
Sites added to the register in Norfolk include:
Church of St Mary, Beachamwell
Sitting at the heart of the village green in Beachamwell, the Grade I listed Church of St Mary, with its distinctive 11th century round tower and thatched roof, has been at the centre of village life for over 1,000 years.
The medieval church was badly damaged by fire in February this year, during roof repairs replacing lead that had been stolen in 2019.
Parishioners, who are hugely supportive of the church and had raised funds for the roof repairs, were devastated to see the destruction of the building they held in such affection and in which they had celebrated important milestones in life, including many family weddings and christenings.
The Parochial Church Council and the local community have reacted quickly to start to overcome what could have been an overwhelming challenge. A first phase of restoration has begun, with work underway to stabilise the building and remove remaining debris from the fire.
Second World War Heavy Anti-Aircraft (HAA) Battery, 345m east of Decoy Farm, Mautby
The Second World War Heavy Anti-Aircraft (HAA) Battery remains are situated to the east of Decoy Farm, to the north of the River Bure in Norfolk. The site is probably the most complete HAA battery of its type in England and one of only a small number of complete or near-complete Second World War gun batteries that survive today. Clearly seen are four gun emplacements, a command post and part of its access road.
One of the major threats to Britain during the Second World War was the strategic bombing campaigns of the Luftwaffe. Over 1,000 heavy anti-aircraft (HAA) gun sites were constructed across the country to protect major installations and ports. They usually included a command post, radar platform, gun store and a magazine for storing ammunition as well as domestic buildings. Defensive structures included gun pits, searchlight emplacements and pillboxes. The battery at Mautby was one of five HAA batteries defending Great Yarmouth. The date of the battery’s construction is unknown, but its design suggests that it was sometime after September 1943. The site continued in use after the war but by 1955 most of the domestic buildings and structures had been demolished.
Historic tree planting around much of the site has led to significant tree and plant growth within and around the four gun placements. Masonry has disintegrated and one of the underground shelters has partly collapsed. The local council is taking action to reduce tree damage and is working with Historic England to secure the long-term future of this significant site.
Sites rescued and removed from the register in Norfolk include:
St Mary’s Church, Forncett St Mary
There has been Christian worship on the site of St Mary’s Church for over 1,000 years. The church was mentioned in the Domesday Book, but was rebuilt during the 14th, 15th and 19th centuries. The church was closed to worship in 1980 and fell into serious neglect over the next 20 years.
Local residents Graham and May Prior set out to gather support for a church restoration project which has secured almost £500,000 in funding to bring the church back to life. In 2009, a Friends Group was formed to restore the church and graveyard.
Over a decade they have successfully led community fundraising and voluntary work which, with grant funding partners, has enabled restoration of the church and its surroundings.
St Mary’s is now home to a worshipping community and welcomes people to a host of events. The building is open daily, and, adjacent to The Tas Valley Way, provides rest and refreshments for local walkers and cyclists.
The church is a member of the Holocaust Memorial Trust, is currently working towards an Eco Church Award, looking at the impact of the church on climate change, and the churchyard is managed for wildlife by the Norfolk Wildlife Trust. They have recently started to support the St Martin's Trust, a Norwich-based charity providing care and a range of services for the homeless.
The Samuel Wyatt Vinery in the Walled Garden at Holkham Estate
The Samuel Wyatt Vinery is a Georgian glasshouse in the Walled Garden at Holkham, a rural estate and home to the 18th century Holkham Hall. Holkham has been the home of the Coke family since the early 17th century. The Palladian-style mansion was built by Thomas Coke, the first Earl of Leicester, between 1734 and 1764.
Samuel Wyatt (1737-1807) was an English architect and engineer. He designed the six acres of walled garden at Holkham during the late 1700s, enlarging and redesigning the parkland. When the kitchen gardens were relocated to their current site, Wyatt was involved in designing garden structures, including the Vinery.
The Vinery was placed on the Heritage at Risk Register in 2018. It had not been used for over a decade, due to its structurally dangerous condition. Historic England supported its repair with guidance and grant funding of £200,000.
Church of St Michael Coslany, Norwich
This Grade I listed medieval church is now a community space, closed as a place of worship in 1971 and is in the care of the Norwich Historic Churches Trust.
The church chancel roof was in poor condition. Apart of the ceiling became detached and fell down in early 2021, making the building at risk of closure.
Historic England gave advice and grant funding of £172,500 (under the government’s Heritage Stimulus Fund, part of the Culture Recovery Fund). The roof has now been repaired, ensuring that this beautiful building can be enjoyed by local people and visitors. Other repair work has included the removal and re-leading of the south nave west window, and stonework structural repairs.
St Michael Coslany is home to Oak Circus Centre. Founded by the international touring company, Lost in Translation Circus, it provides a circus hub in Norwich, offering youth and adult classes, education programmes and events.