Griff Rhys Jones (President of Civic Voice) congratulating Johm Dent on hearing about our success in the Georgian Society and Civic Trust Awards at the Civic Voice Northwest Network meeting in Preston yesterday.
Press Release – January 2011
Cockermouth Shopfront Scheme shortlisted for national Civic Trust award
The Cockermouth Shopfront Heritage Grant Scheme has been shortlisted for a 2012 Civic Trust award. Established in 1959, the Civic Trust award scheme recognises the very best in architecture, urban design, planning, landscape, public realm and public art. Shortlisted projects are adjudged to have made an outstanding contribution to the quality and appearance of the built environment, whilst offering a positive social, cultural, environmental or economic benefit to the local community. The Cockermouth scheme is one of 52 shortlisted projects from over 300 national and international entries.
In the aftermath of the 2009 floods Allerdale Borough Council made grant funding available to owners of flooded shops within the historic core of Cockermouth to help cover the costs of replacing modern shopfronts with ones more in-keeping with Cockermouth’s heritage. Delivered in partnership with Cockermouth and District Civic Trust, Cockermouth Town Council, Cockermouth Chamber of Trade, the National Trust and local architects Day Cummins, Green Design Group and Red Raven Design, the scheme has proven extremely popular with improvement works having been completed to 24 properties to date.
Phil Campbell, Chairman of Cockermouth & District Civic Trust, welcomed the news: “To be shortlisted for the Civic Trust Awards, a competition that attracts international entries, is high praise and recognition of the achievements Cockermouth has made since the floods.
This, the second award for the shopfront heritage scheme, reaffirms our belief that high quality, thoughtful architecture is fundamental to a town’s survival and is appreciated by visitors and residents alike. We hope that reaching the shortlist for this prestigious award will encourage more shops and building owners to recognise the benefits that good design can deliver.”
Cllr. Mark Fryer, Allerdale Borough Council’s Portfolio-Holder for Regeneration, added: “Credit for this award, and the success of the scheme as a whole, must be given to those local businesses in Cockermouth who embraced the vision of the steering-group and invested in their shopfronts and signage. The improvements brought about by the scheme are clear evidence of what can be achieved when public and voluntary sector groups and private businesses work well together. To be shortlisted for a Civic Trust Award is great news and highlights how far Cockermouth has come since November 2009.”
Speaking with regard to the judging process Malcolm Hankey, Civic Trust Awards Managing Director, said: “All domestic projects are visited and assessed on their architectural excellence, sustainability credentials, accessibility for all users and positive civic contribution. Once again, the judging process has been rigorous and all the finalists thoroughly deserve their success.”
A spokesperson for Cockermouth Town Council confirmed that they hoped to build on the success of the shopfront scheme: “The level of take-up for the scheme has exceeded expectations and is a clear indication of the local desire to preserve and enhance the town’s built heritage. The Town Council is hoping to build on this excellent work by introducing a Neighbourhood Development Order, under the provisions of the Localism Act, which will seek to encourage and facilitate the installation of traditional shop fronts within the town.”
The award shortlisting follows a joint entry from Allerdale Borough Council, Cockermouth Town Council and Cockermouth and District Civic Trust. All shortlisted projects receive a commendation with winners being announced at a ceremony to be held in Edinburgh on 2 March 2012.
ENDS
Notes to editors
For more information contact Joe Broomfield on 01900 702568 or joe.broomfield@allerdale.gov.uk . Before and after photos of properties that participated in the shopfront scheme are available.
The Cockermouth Shopfront Heritage Grant Scheme won a Georgian Group Architectural Award in November 2011 in the category of ‘Restoration of a Georgian Building in an Urban Setting’.
The Civic Trust held a special member’s meeting on Wednesday. The purpose was to provide time for the committee and members to jointly review issues affecting Cockermouth and the future of the Civic Trust movement in Cockermouth & nationally. A key focus was how to encourage new active membership at a time when the Civic Trust is having increasing influence within the town. Members voted the meeting a big success and asked that such meetings become a regular feature, perhaps twice per year.
It was felt that the shop front improvement scheme had been a major success for the Trust together with Allerdale BC & other local organisations, this being recognised nationally by the Georgian Group. Pictures were shown of the ‘before and after’, which really emphasised what had been achieved. Members felt that there were improvements that could still be made for the good of the town, examples discussed included ‘Alternative Takeaway’ on Main St and the Coop on Station St.
Members were generally in favour of the proposed improvements for Main Street streetscape but had some concerns on the detail, which were discussed. There was concern that a vocal minority amongst the public were having an undue influence on the project, putting at risk the achievement of a general increase in quality of this public space. It was agreed that the Trust should particularly maintain focus on improving Bridge Street, an important gateway to the town.
Members were updated on the Environment Agency’s proposed enhanced flood defences for the town. The Civic Trust’s interest is to seek to ensure that appropriate materials, etc are used and that there is an appropriate balance struck between the flood risk and the detriment to the quality of life from the imposition of new barriers. For example, an original option had been to build a 5-foot solid wall along Rubby Banks that would clearly detract from the street ambiance. It was agreed that the key players in these decisions should be the local residents most affected by both the flood risk and the imposition of the proposed barriers.
There had been 3 significant proposals for housing developments over the past year, Sullart Street, The Fitz and at the Rugby Club on Lorton Road. The Trust had formally assessed each of these proposals on the basis of the national standard for well-designed homes and neighbourhoods, the ‘Building for Life Assessment’. Following the assessments, detailed comments had been made, and a formal objection lodged against the development at the Fitz.
Last year, Cockermouth Civic Trust joined the national ‘Civic Voice’ movement, a movement that seeks to make places more attractive, enjoyable & distinctive, thereby promoting civic pride. The meeting concluded by discussing the future focus of our Civic Trust and how best we can contribute in Cockermouth to the Civic Voice objectives. It was agreed that we need to increase the profile of the Civic Trust in Cockermouth to seek to avoid it disappearing in the future due to lack of support, a fate that has happened to similar local societies and which we believe would be detrimental to Cockermouth.
[Phil Campbell, Chairman Cockermouth & District Civic Trust]
At the time of writing I’m thinking that this time last year winter was upon us with vengeance and we ended up cancelling both the December Lecture and Committee meetings on account of the ice. Let us hope for a better winter this year – but we have started off well with an excellent November, dare I say better than summer? The key item for this newsletter is our special meeting on Wednesday 11th January. This is a new venture where we provide a forum for all members to discuss both issues affecting Cockermouth and the future of the Civic Trust movement in Cockermouth & nationally. Please make an effort to attend because it is your opportunity to influence our future direction. It is important that we as committee members are able to speak on behalf of the Trust as a whole, not just the committee itself, which is actually less than 10% of the membership. I’ve attached an agenda to the newsletter, but feel free to request other issues to be included.
Membership
Talking about membership, we are on declining numbers and I appeal to you all again to consider how we might improve numbers either by recruitment or by what we do. It is perhaps ironic that in the past few years we have had a higher profile with significant successes. Bring your ideas to the special meeting.
National Award
Talking about success, I am very pleased to report that we, with Allerdale Borough Council, were awarded joint first prize in class for the Shop Improvement Grant Scheme in the Georgian Group Architectural Awards for 2011. The class was ‘Restoration of a Georgian Building in an Urban Setting’. In this class, the Georgian Group recognise the key rôle that historic buildings play in urban regeneration, and part of the purpose of this award is to acknowledge the contribution made by restored Georgian buildings to the quality and vitality of our towns and cities. As usual, competition in this category was especially fierce.
Britain’s architectural heritage is one of the nation’s greatest assets and the Georgian period (broadly 1700-1837) gave the UK some of our most beautiful buildings. The Georgian Group is the national charity dedicated to preserving Georgian buildings and gardens. Every year they are consulted on over 6,000 planning applications involving demolition or alterations. Their intervention has helped save many Georgian buildings and has protected others from harm. It is often through their influence that a better solution is found. It is an accolade indeed to receive such an award from this society!
We are still hopeful of recognition from the Civic Trust Awards, but see the next article!
2012 Civic Trust Awards
by John Dent
The Civic Trust Award scheme has no connection to the now defunct National Civic Trust or its successor Civic Voice. Established in 1959, the Civic Trust Awards are one of the longest standing architectural and built environment awards in Europe. The awards recognise the contribution of good design to the civic realm. During the past 52 years, over 6500 schemes have received recognition through successful application to the Civic Trust Awards. Each assessment team comprises an Architect Assessor, a Local Authority Representative and a Local Advisor. The team assesses each scheme within their local area and can recommend an Award for outstanding contribution to the quality and appearance of the environment. A Commendation can be given to a project that makes a significant contribution, whilst many will be considered unsuccessful because they are not of significant national standard.
Assessments are completed each year by mid-November and recommendations are sent to the National Panel for consideration. Successful applicants are notified mid January (though not the level of award) and presentations are made at a national event held in March. In 2012 the award ceremony will be held at The Hub in Edinburgh on Friday, 2nd March.
I acted as the Local Advisor for the Scheme in this area for the 2012 award assessments. I had to provide narrative feedback on the following areas:
- How has the scheme impacted on the local community?
- Has the community been engaged by the project during planning, design and construction?
- Are local people positive about the design and implementation of the scheme?
- What are the positive cultural, social, environmental or economic benefits to the community?
- How has the community been consulted and kept informed?
- Does the scheme provide a positive experience for its users, visitors or passers-by?
- What is the scheme’s overall civic contribution?
There were three schemes to consider in this area: The Cumbria Archive Centre, Vaugh Steel and the Cockermouth Shopfront Heritage Grant Scheme.
The Cumbria archive facility in Carlisle Castle had operated there since 1962 but it was decided to find a new home for the records that would have more space and facilities. A site was found at Petteril Bank on the outskirts of the city which contained the Grade II* listed Lady Gilford House. The house was restored and a new modern wing built linked to the old house.
Vaugh Steel is a remote farmhouse near Bampton southwest of Penrith, which was last occupied in 1985 by an old lady who survived there despite it having no mains services. This 17th C farmhouse and byre with an attached 19th C barn has been transformed into a large house with the old farmhouse retaining original features with the byre and barn being converted into a modern living space. Wind turbine and solar panels and a heating ventilation recovery system mean that the house is energy self-sufficient.
You obviously will be well aware of the Cockermouth Shopfront scheme so I won’t describe that. Because I acted as secretary to the committee overseeing this scheme, I had to declare an interest and I arranged for a member of Workington Civic Trust to stand in for me on this assessment.
The recommendations put forward to the National Panel cannot be disclosed to anyone for any reason until the awards are made.
2011/12 Lecture Programme (still to come)
All meetings are on a Wednesday, at 19.30 at the Friends Meeting House, Kirkgate.
11th January
Special members meeting, refer attached agenda
1st February
Malcolm Bobbitt, motoring writer & automotive historian, will admit to ‘confessions of a motoring writer’.
7th March
Chief Superintendent Steve Johnson, Area Commander of West Cumbria Police, will inform us about ‘policing in West Cumbria’.
4th April
David Handley of Oxfam will give us a first hand account of Oxfam’s involvement in a world crisis area, including their longer term response.
Rugby Club Housing Development
The housing development on the rugby club site was resubmitted for planning approval so we took the opportunity to assess the proposals against the national ‘Building for Life’ criteria. This was undertaken at a special meeting without Darren Ward our architectural adviser as he had declared a professional interest. We scored the development 13.5 out of 20, which is quite reasonable at the outline planning permission stage, and have decided that ‘we do not object to the proposals’. A number of comments arose out of the assessment and we have submitted these to the planning authority. We particularly liked the use of a ‘brownfield’, infill site with the included upgrading of existing sports facilities for the town. We noted that there are no properties for rent or ‘affordable housing’, more could be done to segregate vehicles & pedestrians & there are limited pedestrian routes onto the estate and there is very limited public space within the estate itself.
We noted that there were a number of individual objections based on the increased traffic load on the Lorton Road/kirkgate access to town. While we sympathise with this, we decided that this development of 24 houses would have limited impact given the number of houses that already exist on this side of town.
Enhanced Flood Defences
A number of us attended the Environment Agency & Flood Action Group exhibition on the proposed enhanced flood defences for the town. Clearly the proposals are being developed on a very tight timescale in order to ensure the scheme comes under current funding arrangements, or it may never happen at all. We have yet to discuss the detailed proposals at committee, but from our perspective, the only significant issue is the enhanced protection along Rubby Banks. Clearly there is a balance to be struck between the enhanced protection here and the loss of the visual environment. At one extreme is the increase of the existing wall to around 5 feet, which is clearly very intrusive. Alternatives are the use of glass for the upper part of the wall, and the provision of a ‘self raising’ barrier, which does have engineering & reliability concerns since it has not been used on this scale before.
An Appeal for the Peal
By John Dent
A few years ago the residents of Cockermouth were delighted to see that the All Saints Church clock was being restored. During the work a carillon of bells were discovered which worked from the clock. After the restoration was completed, the clock certainly looked pristine and justified its prominent position on one of the important buildings of our town. Unfortunately, shortly afterwards it all came to a grinding halt – it may have looked good but it didn’t go!
The clock is a rare Blaylock clock and carillon. The Blaylock clockmaking business was founded by a John Blaylock in 1768 with his workshop in Longtown. The business specialised in longcase clocks. The business was passed down through the family to another John Blaylock and by 1818 had moved to Carlisle still making longcase clocks but adding some engineering works as well. The business expanded to produce station clocks for the Lancaster to Carlisle railway, which opened in 1844. Is the All Saints Clock a development of these station clocks? I can’t find any reference to the Blaylocks making church clocks – have I got the right Blaylock? Perhaps someone out there can tell me whether I am right.
The timing seems to fit. Bradbury tells us that “All Saints Church was burnt to the ground in 1850 destroying the peal of six bells, the organ, church clock, chimes, galleries, pulpit, pews ……”. In fact everything except the bare walls. So when the new church was consecrated in 1854 it would have had a new clock i.e. the present one.
After that bit of history, now for a little bit of good news. The clock will shortly be repaired and there are funds available to cover this work. Unfortunately the funding will not cover the cost, (probably a few thousand pounds), of repairing the carillon. The Church will be making an appeal for the peal. Can you help? Do you know a benefactor madly keen on Blaylock clocks? It certainly would be nice to fully restore both the clock and carillon together but in these days of austerity where can the money be found?
Town Trail Visitors
We are expecting members of Blackpool Civic Trust to visit us sometime in March – they anticipate they will bring around 48 members!
Tour of Cockermouth Town Trail (16):
By Shirley Campbell
Having crossed Brewery Bridge, we now reach the ‘Lake District’s Best Kept Secret’! The original Jenning’s Brewery was founded in Lorton in 1828 by John Jennings. The business grew and by 1874 had moved into Cockermouth. 1887 saw the business become a limited company with 3 maltings and 16 licensed outlets. Other small breweries and public houses were purchased over the ensuing years, including four West Cumberland breweries in 1921 and Faulders Brewery of Keswick in 1926. Water from Jennings’ own, on-site 70 foot well is still used for brewing. Other ingredients include English pale ale malt, Golding hops from Kent and Fuggles hops from Herefordshire.
From being the only independent brewery left in Cumbria, in 2005 Jennings was taken over by Wolverhampton & Dudley Breweries, itself being a public company since 1890 when it was formed by the amalgamation of 3 breweries local to Wolverhampton & Dudley. In 2007, the Wolverhampton and Dudley Breweries PLC changed its name to Marston’s PLC. This change was to reflect the fact that in recent years the company had become a national business, having acquired the Marston’s brand itself back in 1999. There no longer exists any Jennings family connection with the business.
To find out more, why not go on a brewery tour?
Community Researchers
A group of 3 community researchers, based at the Kirkgate Centre, are currently undertaking a project to determine resident’s attitudes towards living in Cockermouth, including what they value, what concerns them and what their vision is for the future of the town. Their aim is to talk to over 1000 people, but they are not ‘cold calling’ and are relying on contacts. If you would like to be included, please contact John Dent or Phil Campbell and we will refer you on.
This project is part of a national pilot, currently looking at 15 areas and may well be rolled out on a fully national basis at a later date.
And Finally
A Happy Christmas to you all.
And – many thanks to David & Pat Hardy for their contributions to committee & organising lectures over the last few years. They both retired from committee at this year’s AGM.
Phil Campbell, Chairman
Wednesday, 11th January, 19.30 at the Friend’s Meeting House, Kirkgate
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Item: |
Subject: |
Purpose: |
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1 |
Shop Front Improvement Scheme |
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2 |
Main Street Streetscape Improvement Scheme |
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3 |
Cockermouth Enhanced flood Defences Scheme |
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4 |
Building for Life Assessment Process | To inform members about the ‘Building for Life’ national standard, which is now used by the committee to evaluate significant housing developments |
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5 |
Current proposals for housing developments:
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6 |
Future of Cockermouth & District Civic Trust and the Civic Voice movement |
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7 |
Any Other business | Any other issues of concern to members. |
Cockermouth and District Civic Trust are delighted to announce the Cockermouth Shop Front Heritage Scheme has been named as a joint winner of a national architectural award. The Scheme offered traders in the town’s post-flood Main Street funding to restore their properties to their former Georgian splendour.
The Scheme came in as a joint winner of the Urban Setting Category of the Georgian Group Architectural Awards. The Award was presented to Cockermouth Civic Trust and Allerdale District Council by Viscount Linley at an awards ceremony at Christie’s in London on 31st October.
Architectural advisor for the Civic Trust Darren Ward, who was present to receive the award said ” This is a prestigious award and going by the reception we received afterwards, people have been amazed and impressed with what we have managed in such little time and with such a limited budget. The aim after the floods was simply to have a better town than we had before but we have achieved much more through the co-operation of all the parties who came together and worked hard”.
We extremely pleased to be able to report that the Cockermouth Shopfront Heritage Grant Scheme has been short-listed in the ‘Restoration of a Georgian Building in an Urban Setting’ category as part of the 2011 Georgian Group Architectural Awards.
This is a fantastic achievement and testament to the joined-up working of the steering group that has made the scheme such a success. Winners will be announced on Monday 31 October at a ceremony in London with all short-listed schemes receiving a commendation certificate from Viscount Linley.
To give you an idea of the competition that we are up against, the winning scheme in our category from 2010 was ‘The Quadrangle, Buckingham Palace and Lancaster House, London SW1′ (http://www.georgiangroup.org.uk/docs/awards/winners.php?id=4:48:0:1).
“We were deeply impressed by the determination of the local authority and community to bring something positive out of adversity. The flooding must have been a serious shock to the system but far from being defeated Cockermouth seems to have emerged stronger – it is the kind of robust response that other communities that have suffered trials in recent months, albeit through man-made rather than natural disasters, would do well to study. We congratulate Cockermouth on its resilience and positive attitude and for recognizing that caring for its physical fabric, in the shape of its historic buildings, is both a powerful statement of intent and a tonic in times of trouble. “
As part of our active interest in the development, improvement and protection of Cockermouth we have prepared the following letter requesting additional information from the Environment Agency concerning the proposed flood defences that would run from Victoria Bridge all the way round to the end of Waterloo Street.
Details of the proposals can be found on the EA website at http://environment-agency.gov.uk/homeandleisure/floods/131663.aspx and a map indicating the extent and type of defences is located at http://environment-agency.gov.uk/static/documents/Map_of_our_proposals.pdf
Dear Mr Bacon,
Proposed Flood Defences for Cockermouth
Members of our Committee attended the exhibition of the Environment Agency proposals for enhanced flood protection on Wednesday 7th September. A number of questions arose for which we did not obtain answers on the day. I would therefore be very grateful if you could provide us with responses to the questions identified below. Please note that I am copying this letter to Mike Apperley for the information of the Cockermouth Flood Action Group.
- What effect will there be on Bitterbeck under flood conditions from an increased head of water along the Cocker, and what will be the consequences?
- What consideration has been given to strengthening of the existing house walls on Hatters Court since in the plans they are to act as 2.5-3m defence walls? [These are rubble walls and we believe that they cannot retain anything like that head of water. They could collapse causing a very powerful destructive surge to be directed through town. Note that these are listed buildings and any works will be subject to listed building restraints].
- What consideration has been given to the potential opening up of new flood-water pathways from the increased hydrostatic pressure arising from the higher head of water under flood conditions?
- Specifically, has consideration been given to the effect of the increased head of water on the known flood-water pathway through the basement of HSBC Bank?
- With increased head and the restriction of flow at Cocker Bridge, will this not increase the likelihood of both damage to the listed structure and the direction of water through the open bridge parapet onto Main Street? [Specific concerns are for localised increased head of water directly against the upstream parapet as a result of the inevitable pressure wave that will build at that point].
- What protection against destructive scour is planned to the Cocker Bridge foundations and what structural surveys have been carried out to ascertain the suitability of the structural integrity of Cocker Bridge when exposed to the increased head and flow of water? [The likelihood of greater scour occurring with the proposed works should be incorporated in to the viability and consequence of the scheme. Any Bridge collapse at this point would lead to severe flood ingress to the Town Centre].
- In order to assess and understand the various flood risks, could you set out what the various probability statistics actually mean in terms of height of water above a known datum (ideally some known landmark within the Town Centre).
- Have conscious decisions been made to create sacrificial areas of town in order to protect other areas, and, if so, what are these areas and what is the basis of these decisions? [Specifically we are concerned that Market Place has been designated ‘sacrificial’]
- What arrangements are being put in place to ensure that the residents of Cockermouth, in particular those most affected, fully understand the physical and visual intrusiveness of the various proposals on normal life, in particular the raising of the height of the protective walls? [We believe that the rivers in Cockermouth are an important part of the ‘added value’ of living here and creating a ‘Fort Knox’ will significantly undermine this. Clearly a balance has to be struck between flood risk and ‘ambiance’, but it is crucial that we all understand the negatives of the proposals as well as the positives so that informed decisions can be made]. In particular, would you consider undertaking a ‘house to house’ survey of the most affected residents such as on Ruby Banks, the results of which may be used to support the case for proceeding (or otherwise)?
- What consideration has been given to schemes to delay flood-water reaching Cockermouth as cost effective alternatives to raising flood defences within the town itself? [Examples might be increased forestation and/or sacrificial areas upstream of Cockermouth]
Many thanks in anticipation of your response,
Yours Sincerely,
Phil Campbell
(Chairman)
