Historic Norfolk church put on heritage 'at risk' list

One of the oldest houses in Norwich is also 'at risk'

Roman Catholic Cathedral of St John the Baptist
Author: Sian RochePublished 14th Nov 2024

One of the oldest houses in Norwich is among the sites in Norfolk added to a list of heritage at risk, an annual update shows.

But there is better news for a medieval church in the county, which is no longer considered at risk after work to conserve it.

Government heritage agency Historic England has published its 2024 Heritage at Risk Register, which shows that, across the country, 155 sites have been added to the list over concerns about neglect and decay.

Meanwhile 124 have been removed following efforts to conserve them and give them a new lease of life.

Here's what's been added to the 'at risk' register in Norfolk:

Roman Catholic Cathedral of St John the Baptist, Norwich

Roman Catholic Cathedral of St John the Baptist

The Roman Catholic Cathedral of St John the Baptist in Norwich was created by the prominent architect George Gilbert Scott Junior and was completed by his brother, John Oldrid Scott.

It was originally built as the parish church for the Catholics of central Norwich and became the Cathedral of the newly created Diocese of East Anglia in 1976. It is the second largest Catholic cathedral in the country.

One of Norwich’s iconic buildings, the Cathedral attracts visitors from across the world with its external grandeur, magnificent interior, and beautiful stained glass.

The Cathedral is home to many groups supporting the local community. The parish hosts an active St Vincent de Paul Society group, supporting those in need in the city, and the Justice and Peace Group. The Cathedral also supports Norwich City Council in offering space for winter night shelters for rough sleepers in Norwich.

The building is at risk due to issues with the rainwater pipes, which are at full capacity, and failing gutters, leading to leaks into the roof. Investigation work will be carried out to understand the scale of the repair work needed and to prevent continuing damage.

The Music House, Norwich

The Music House

The Music House is one of the oldest buildings in Norwich, dating back to the 12th century.

It is the only secular building from that period to survive in Norwich and features a stunning historic arched undercroft. The King Street facade largely dates to the 17th century.

From 1170 to 1240 it was the home of the Jurnet family, a wealthy merchant family who moved to Norwich after the Norman Conquest.

Sir John Paston, a member of the influential Paston family, lived in the house after 1478 and from 1613 its occupant was Lord Chief Justice Coke, an English barrister, judge, and politician who was instrumental in the Petition of Right, one of the crucial documents of the English constitution.

This historic building needs to be preserved and works carried out to ensure it remains an important piece of Norwich city history.

Norwich City Council is working towards a plan of repair and restoration, with advice and guidance from Historic England, to bring the building back into community use. Some urgent repair work has already begun.

Here's what's been removed from the 'at risk' register in Norfolk:

St Margaret de Westwick Church, Norwich

St Margaret de Westwick Church

St Margaret de Westwick is one of 31 surviving medieval churches within the city walls of Norwich, collectively considered to be of international architectural significance.

Closed as a place of worship in 1975, the Grade I listed church was used as a gym and more recently as an affordable art exhibition space.

St Margaret’s is cared for by the Norwich Historic Churches Trust who, since 1973, have been breathing new life into redundant historic churches in the city.

With funding from Historic England, an extensive restoration programme has repaired the roof, masonry, and drainage.

Norwich Historic Churches Trust’s Head of Conservation, Oliver Coulson, said: “St Margaret’s is very special to the local community.

"While Norwich’s medieval churches have international architectural significance, perhaps their greatest wealth lies in their relationship with the social and cultural character of the city.”

"An abundance of heritage sites"

Heritage minister Sir Chris Bryant said: "The UK has an abundance of heritage sites across the country that attract tourists and provide jobs in local communities.

"Many of these are in desperate need of support.

"The Heritage at Risk Register plays a vital role in our ongoing mission to protect and preserve our rich heritage across the country."

Duncan Wilson, chief executive of Historic England, said: "This year, we have seen partners and communities come together to help save the historic buildings and places that need it the most.

"It's inspirational to see how we can harness the power of our heritage to benefit local people."

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