Notes and Queries

November 2017

Congratulations to English Heritage for their successful application for the new bridge at Tintagel. We supported the application as a good piece of new design for the county. We also facilitated a presentation at or Design Conference in April 2017 and supported the Design Review Panel's positive comments on the scheme.

Approval for planning.

October 2017

From the Chairman

Recently I led a tour around Lanhydrock looking at the estate buildings. Nothing odd about that, indeed we have long offered a great series of walks and talks throughout the summer. What made this event stand out from others however, was the torrential rain. Those present will attest that it poured, and it poured, and it poured −in fact, it rained so hard that by the time we arrived at the Victorian swimming pool we were wetter that if we had actually ventured in for a dip. We were a hardy bunch that evening, brollies up, covered in mud, holding each other up as we slid in the mire, walking some two to three miles looking and talking at buildings. Not everyone’s idea of a good evening perhaps but proof, if it were needed, that we are a robust buildings group and what enthuses us all is the shared belief of the built environment, its design, its setting and the story it tells.

For me it doesn’t matter how many people attend the events, rather it’s the notion that we engage with the architecture and, of course, have fun. We have had some great feedback on events over the past few years, so through this column I would like to thank those who make it happen; notably, Jenny Gason, who does much of the organisation, those who give up their free time in leading the visits, our hosts who give free access to special their own special places and you, for attending.

Talking of events, back in April we hosted our second conference, an event that attracted 150 delegates across a wide range of interest groups. This one day conference, supported by the Royal Institute of British Architects, the Cornwall Architectural Trust and Cornwall Council, centred on the subjective topic of good design. The strong delegation included representatives of the above organisations, many Cornish Buildings Group members, architects, historians, heritage and design professionals, Cornwall Council elected members and officers, and those with a general interest in good architecture. It was a great success and those who attended will testify that there was a great buzz and dynamic on the day, the event was covered on Radio Cornwall. Events like this are important for the profile of our Group, they allow us to drive and direct the conversation rather than supporting it.

As I say design is a subjective topic to say the least. One of the conference papers was an outline of the Tintagel Bridge proposal. We support the innovative scheme as an example of great contemporary design, something that the county can be proud and form a legacy for future generations. However, we realise that our view is not representative of the many who are posting opposing views on the planning portal. That’s democracy in action –we will watch with interest.

This newsletter will include articles on our Awards scheme which, as always, highlights the best in new design and conservation practice. The scheme remains one of great initiatives of the Group and this year’s presentation evening was held in the glorious atrium of Chy Trevail, Cornwall Council’s new offices at Bodmin, which won the 2016 main award. Thanks to Cornwall Council for hosting the evening. Another great achievement this year was the publication of ‘Celebrating Pevsner’ (Francis Boutle publishing) the conference proceedings from our 2015 conference. There will a small piece in this newsletter about the book, please support it if you can.

I mention Cornwall Council in context of support however please don’t think that we are in any way easing the pressure on them. Regards casework we have written to the Chief Executive of Cornwall Council regarding how poorly we consider our World Heritage Site is being maintained. In June and July we raised our concerns about the continuing plight of Charlestown Chapel ( II* listed, neglected for some 15 years and now under enforcement review); Wheal Busy (currently on our Buildings at Risk Register); Loggans Mill at Hayle, (listed and abandoned for well over 10 years) and what we consider as unlawful repairs carried out to White Hart in Hayle (grade II*). Coupled with this was the demolition without apparent approval (enforcement case active) of Lovering’s Clay Dry at Charlestown (unlisted but in a conservation area) and an appalling piece of building in the shadow of the Hayle railway viaduct within the World Heritage Site and conservation area. We remain very concerned about the neglect shown to all of these heritage assets and the cavalier attitude that Cornwall Council takes in applying their duty of care. Consequently, we have great reservations about our local authority’s ability to manage its World Heritage Site status. We are currently considering our position but, as always, are very keen to hear members views on this and the current state of some of our of heritage assets.

Other cases were have taken strong views on are the poor conditions of Polvellan Manor (enforcement case) near Looe and the former Ganges restaurant in Penzance of which a petition has been raised by local residents. The former we tried unsuccessfully to get listed, the reason given for not listing being the vandalism of John Sansom’s late-nineteenth century interiors –a potentially dangerous signal to unscrupulous property owners to neglect heritage assets.

We have supported the recent listing application for Penzance School of Art and Library, Morrab Road, Penzance, objected to the proposed new Premier Inn in Falmouth on the basis of it dwarfing important heritage assets like Arwenack manor and commented on the appeal for development near Pendennis castle. A reminder that we don’t always object is that we recently supported at appeal an exciting new house design at Gwithian Towans. We have raised the profile of our heritage at risk register by securing interview time on Radio Cornwall and getting some of our concerns covered in print media. Keep an eye on our website for more details on casework. I am pleased to say that long neglected buildings like St Columb Rectory, Saltash Station and a lovely house at River Parade, Lostwithiel, appear to be undergoing some much needed repair, however we will still keep a watching brief on progress and work alongside Historic England to ensure repairs are done sympathetically.

Nearly all from me for this newsletter however I will repeat my plea from previous newsletters. WE NEED YOUR HELP. There, I’ve said it. It has been commented on by many members that we, as a Group, are getting more and more productive. The responsibility for this work invariably befalls members of your Council so we are asking for the support of members to further our aims. There are many opportunities on offer to engage more with the built environment, whether that be helping with our survey on twentieth century buildings or keeping an eye on local planning and letting us know if you have any concerns in your local area. In this newsletter are details of a new initiative whereby, working in partnership with Historic England, we can make a real difference on getting unlisted buildings onto the statutory register. All we are asking for is a bit of your free time, a day out in a Cornish town, looking at buildings and reporting back. What could be better? And, the consequence in that the Cornish built heritage will be secure for the future. PLEASE HELP AND GET INVOLVED.

PAUL HOLDEN

July 2017

Parish Church of St Mary the Virgin, Par, Appeal.

We are very pleased to announce that the Parish Church of St Mary the Virgin in Par has received initial support from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) for essential repair works to the spire and tower. National Lottery players have made it possible to fulfil the project aims to stabilise and make safe the crumbling 168 year old spire and tower of the church.Development funding of £25,000, at the 2nd round application, has been awarded to help progress the plans for the church to apply for the full grant at a later date. The present grant will enable surveys to be carried out to see exactly what work is needed in order to cost the whole project and apply for a full grant. The project will also carry out conservation work in order to preserve and inform the local community and our many visitors, of the two ancient monuments and the extensive varieties of flora and fauna within the churchyard.The ecclesiastical Parish of Par was formed on January 20th 1846, from portions of the parishes of St. Blazey and Tywardreath and the church was the first commission of the eminent Victorian architect George Edmund Street who is renowned for his work in many places in England, Scotland and even abroad and in the design and building of the Royal Courts of Justice which unfortunately he did not live to see completed, but he was considered worthy to be buried in Westminster Abbey.

The rose coloured Church of St Mary’s was built in 1849 and the Carlyon family of Tregrehan House were instrumental in its positioning - on the edge of their estate, and it was used by the family and their servants for worship. The first vicar of Par, George Rundle Prynne was the vicar of a newly established Parish with no church so commissioned Street to design one. In its design Street produced a church, built using local stone, the most impressive aspect being the square tower with an octagonal belfry, with a spire that was used as a day marker by those at sea, and today is still used as a focal point throughout the area.

In 1957 Sir John Betjeman said “St Mary’s is the work of an artist…….Street is one of the great English Architects. He designed many churches, but I doubt if he ever produced a better church than the honest, simple Parish Church of Par”.

We are very pleased to receive the initial funding which will enable us to plan for the repair of the spire to bring it back to its original beauty and once more provide safe access for our many visitors. This is good news indeed, knowing that we are a step closer to preserving our church for another century.

We are appealing to the whole community who look on St Mary’s as their parish church to help us raise the £100,000 needed for us to comply with Heritage Lottery requirements of a local contribution towards the full cost of the works.

If you feel you can help in anyway or would like to make a donation, however large or small, towards our SOS (Save Our Spire) fund please send to Anne Weaver, 2 Doubletrees, St Blazey, Par, PL24 2LE.

Cheques should be made payable to PCC Par. Please annotate the cheque that you are making the donation to our Save our Spire Fund.

Forthcoming from Devon and Cornwall Record Society

Stratton Churchwardens’ Accounts, 1512–1578 edited with an introduction by Joanna Mattingly. Covering 1535–70, the Reformation period for parish churches, Stratton in Cornwall’s High Cross (churchwardens’) accounts are unusually complete and informative. Only eighteen of c.200 pre-Reformation churchwardens’ accounts countrywide have survived without gaps in this period and include Ashburton (a DCRS publication) and Morebath in Devon. Stratton, in addition, has a partial set of general receivers’ or stock wardens’ accounts which, like the High Cross wardens’ accounts, are in the British Library, and at Cornwall Record Office. These show how much has been lost, shed light on the 1548–9 Cornish rebellions, and enable a more narrative approach to be taken in the introduction than is usually possible with churchwardens’ accounts, often dismissed as just lists. The Stratton general receivers’ accounts also have exceptionally interesting recycled covers. Extensive use has also been made of the Blanchminster Charity records at the Cornwall Record Office including deeds and leases of church lands and an Elizabethan court case with rare pictorial plans showing Stratton’s church, church house and market place.

The volume will be published early in 2018. To purchase enclose a cheque for £16.50 made payable to the DEVON & CORNWALL RECORD SOCIETY for which I become a member of the society for 2017 and receive my copy early in 2018. Send by 1 November 2017 to: DCRS, Great Moor House, Bittern Road, Sowton, Exeter, EX2 7NL

Cornish Buildings Group commended by Historic England in Angel Awards scheme.

From 2016

Help find a sustainable future for St Just Chapel

Outstanding construction celebrated in South West Local Authority Building Control (LABC) awards

More than 350 people from across the South West gathered on 1 July 2016 at the Holiday Inn, Plymouth, to witness the announcement of the winners of the South West LABC regional awards, which showcase the best quality construction projects in the region. The winners will now go forward to the LABC Building Excellence Awards Grand Final, which takes place in London on Monday 28 November 2016 at Westminster Park Plaza

Neil Read, Building Control Group Leader at Cornwall Council, said: "Cornwall’s nominations for the awards this year were chosen from the many high quality projects which were built in conjunction with the Council’s Building Control team, and to be shortlisted is recognition that the project is completed to the highest standard. We always work closely with our customers to provide the assistance required to deliver successful projects and then reward the results.”

Award sponsors Home and Build, FMB, InstaGroup, Jewson, Polypipe Terrain, TLX, LABC Acoustics and LABC Warranty presented trophies to the winners, who were drawn from more than 200 nominations. Architects, designers and contractors, including large and small developers endorsed by respective local authority building control teams, were among the nominees.

It was a fantastic night, made all the better due to fact that Cornwall Council Building Control nominations scooped 2 winners and 2 highly commended awards.The awards acknowledge the essence of good buildings and demonstrate the strong partnership between Building Control and customers in a positive way to innovate and provide creative solutions.

Best Public Service Building

Winner - Chy Trevail, Beacon Technology Park Bodmin

Project Team: BAM Construction UK, Poynton Bradbury Wynter Cole, Cornwall Council, Ward Williams Associates, WSP Parsons Brinckerhoff, Hyder Consulting (UK) Ltd

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