News
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Pugin's St Alban's, Macclesfield Receives a Much Needed Grant for Repairs
As reported by the National Churches Trust, £425,183 in grant money has been allocated to 55 churches and chapels, including St Alban's in Macclesfield. Built in 1841, the church is listed as Grade II* by National Heritage for England. The National Churches Trust Repair Grant will help address urgent roof repairs.
Also receiving funding is St Mary's, Beverley, for whom AW Pugin and EW Pugin supervised restoration efforts, and St Mary's, Lanark, whose reredos, Lady Chapel, and high altar were installed by Pugin and Pugin.
As reported by the National Churches Trust, £425,183 in grant money has been allocated to 55 churches and chapels, including St Alban's in Macclesfield. Built in 1841, the church is listed as Grade II* by National Heritage for England. The National Churches Trust Repair Grant will help address urgent roof repairs.
Also receiving funding is St Mary's, Beverley, for whom AW Pugin and EW Pugin supervised restoration efforts, and St Mary's, Lanark, whose reredos, Lady Chapel, and high altar were installed by Pugin and Pugin.
Pugin Wallpaper in V&A Memorial Trail
A wallpaper designed by AWN Pugin for the Palace of Westminster is featured in a trail established at the Victoria and Albert Museum, London, in memory of the murdered MP, Jo Cox.
Labour member for Batley and Spen, Jo was murdered in Yorkshire by a right wing extremist in June 2016. Blogging about the trail Tristram Hunt, director of the V&A, said Jo was “a dedicated internationalist , passionate campaigner for social justice, brilliant MP and loving mother. Visitors will be taken on a journey through the museum to discover objects which speak to her life story and values.... From Augustus Pugin’s distinctive Parliament Wallpaper, to an eighteenth century anti-slavery medallion highlighting Jo’s humanitarian work in conflict zones, or a Thomas Creswick painting of Perthshire representing her love of the great British outdoors, our object trail offers a thought-provoking contemplation of the myriad layers of Jo’s inspirational personality and life.” The medallion featured was made for the Society for the Abolition of the Slave Trade, made at Josiah Wedgwood’s factory, Etruria, Staffordshire, about 1787. Historian Tristram Hunt, former Labour MP for Stoke-on-Trent Central, spoke on Pugin, medievalism and modernity, at a Pugin Society reception in the House of Commons in March 2012, to mark the architect’s bicentenary. View details of the trail HERE.
A wallpaper designed by AWN Pugin for the Palace of Westminster is featured in a trail established at the Victoria and Albert Museum, London, in memory of the murdered MP, Jo Cox.
Labour member for Batley and Spen, Jo was murdered in Yorkshire by a right wing extremist in June 2016. Blogging about the trail Tristram Hunt, director of the V&A, said Jo was “a dedicated internationalist , passionate campaigner for social justice, brilliant MP and loving mother. Visitors will be taken on a journey through the museum to discover objects which speak to her life story and values.... From Augustus Pugin’s distinctive Parliament Wallpaper, to an eighteenth century anti-slavery medallion highlighting Jo’s humanitarian work in conflict zones, or a Thomas Creswick painting of Perthshire representing her love of the great British outdoors, our object trail offers a thought-provoking contemplation of the myriad layers of Jo’s inspirational personality and life.” The medallion featured was made for the Society for the Abolition of the Slave Trade, made at Josiah Wedgwood’s factory, Etruria, Staffordshire, about 1787. Historian Tristram Hunt, former Labour MP for Stoke-on-Trent Central, spoke on Pugin, medievalism and modernity, at a Pugin Society reception in the House of Commons in March 2012, to mark the architect’s bicentenary. View details of the trail HERE.
Woodchester: A Gothic Vision - Liz Davenport's book includes Pugin's work at Woodchester Mansion
This informative publication regales the reader with an account not only of the history and construction of Woodchester Mansion itself but also of the building of the Catholic Church of the Annunciation and the Dominican Priory at South Woodchester, all part of the vision of the Catholic convert owner of the estate, William Leigh. We in the Pugin Society are only too familiar with tales of ambitious projects such as this, undertaken by highly motivated, devout and wealthy (at the time) Catholics and converts, and of their often melancholy endings. Examples such as Alton Towers, for the sixteenth Earl of Shrewsbury, Croston Hall in Lancashire for the de Trafford family, and Garendon in Leicestershire for Ambrose March Phillips de Lisle spring to mind. Perhaps a major difference in this instance is that whilst the aforesaid buildings are either now demolished, or much reduced, Woodchester Mansion has only ever existed as an unfinished building, and this, as author Liz Davenport suggests, has perhaps helped to make its continued existence possible. Its significance is indeed in its bare and incomplete state, and it is in this haunting and now lovingly conserved condition that visitors can see it. This was made possible by the serving of a compulsory purchase order on the house by Stroud District Council in 1987 and the formation of the Woodchester Mansion Trust in the following year.
Two architects worked for Leigh at Woodchester, C F Hansom and, in particular, the young Benjamin Bucknall, but a third architect was also temporarily involved – Augustus Pugin, and it is his connection with William Leigh that makes this book of particular interest to readers of Present State. Ultimately, Pugin cried off, having produced a plan of the new proposed residence, which was to replace the existing Spring Park Mansion, and two elevations, plus, also, external and internal drawings of the Church of the Annunciation. However, problems regarding the proposed site for the church and the ambitious size of the Dominican Priory which Leigh wanted, and the difficulties of keeping the commission to a budget that was possible for him, became too much for Pugin. He was extremely busy elsewhere also, and in 1846 his personal life was in a state of disarray. The Catholic architect C F Hansom, for professional reasons not one of Pugin’s favourite people, took over and also started work on Woodchester Mansion itself, but not for long. Hansom’s youthful assistant Benjamin Bucknall who, like Leigh, had a great admiration for the great French revivalist Viollet-le-Duc, soon assumed control, designing an outstanding mansion and chapel, a fine example of Victorian Gothic with references to the style of Viollet here and there, both structurally and in some of the detail. Because Leigh’s money ran out and his family, despite various efforts on their part, never really managed to improve satisfactorily upon this situation, the great house remained unfinished; after 1873 when William Leigh died, work came to a standstill. It is this which gives Woodchester its allure, and which it makes possible today to study the raw bones of its original and skilled design, as indeed members of the Pugin Society did when they visited in summer 2010.
The book also covers the history of William Leigh’s antecedents and the reasons for his initial wealth, and goes on to recount the problems of his son Willie and others who inherited Woodchester. The family retained the estate until 1939, after which it went through some difficult periods, until as, mentioned above, the enterprising and energetic Woodchester Mansion Trust was formed. Author Liz Davenport, who has dedicated this book to her co-volunteers at Woodchester, is the Trust’s archivist, and they are lucky to have her. Helped particularly by a rich archive, discovered in Brighton in 2004, and other local sources she has done a thorough and professional job here, with much careful research, referencing and illustrations. This is a fascinating account. Buy it online – all proceeds go the Woodchester Mansion Trust – and, if you can, visit the mansion in its unspoilt and verdant park setting.
This informative publication regales the reader with an account not only of the history and construction of Woodchester Mansion itself but also of the building of the Catholic Church of the Annunciation and the Dominican Priory at South Woodchester, all part of the vision of the Catholic convert owner of the estate, William Leigh. We in the Pugin Society are only too familiar with tales of ambitious projects such as this, undertaken by highly motivated, devout and wealthy (at the time) Catholics and converts, and of their often melancholy endings. Examples such as Alton Towers, for the sixteenth Earl of Shrewsbury, Croston Hall in Lancashire for the de Trafford family, and Garendon in Leicestershire for Ambrose March Phillips de Lisle spring to mind. Perhaps a major difference in this instance is that whilst the aforesaid buildings are either now demolished, or much reduced, Woodchester Mansion has only ever existed as an unfinished building, and this, as author Liz Davenport suggests, has perhaps helped to make its continued existence possible. Its significance is indeed in its bare and incomplete state, and it is in this haunting and now lovingly conserved condition that visitors can see it. This was made possible by the serving of a compulsory purchase order on the house by Stroud District Council in 1987 and the formation of the Woodchester Mansion Trust in the following year.
Two architects worked for Leigh at Woodchester, C F Hansom and, in particular, the young Benjamin Bucknall, but a third architect was also temporarily involved – Augustus Pugin, and it is his connection with William Leigh that makes this book of particular interest to readers of Present State. Ultimately, Pugin cried off, having produced a plan of the new proposed residence, which was to replace the existing Spring Park Mansion, and two elevations, plus, also, external and internal drawings of the Church of the Annunciation. However, problems regarding the proposed site for the church and the ambitious size of the Dominican Priory which Leigh wanted, and the difficulties of keeping the commission to a budget that was possible for him, became too much for Pugin. He was extremely busy elsewhere also, and in 1846 his personal life was in a state of disarray. The Catholic architect C F Hansom, for professional reasons not one of Pugin’s favourite people, took over and also started work on Woodchester Mansion itself, but not for long. Hansom’s youthful assistant Benjamin Bucknall who, like Leigh, had a great admiration for the great French revivalist Viollet-le-Duc, soon assumed control, designing an outstanding mansion and chapel, a fine example of Victorian Gothic with references to the style of Viollet here and there, both structurally and in some of the detail. Because Leigh’s money ran out and his family, despite various efforts on their part, never really managed to improve satisfactorily upon this situation, the great house remained unfinished; after 1873 when William Leigh died, work came to a standstill. It is this which gives Woodchester its allure, and which it makes possible today to study the raw bones of its original and skilled design, as indeed members of the Pugin Society did when they visited in summer 2010.
The book also covers the history of William Leigh’s antecedents and the reasons for his initial wealth, and goes on to recount the problems of his son Willie and others who inherited Woodchester. The family retained the estate until 1939, after which it went through some difficult periods, until as, mentioned above, the enterprising and energetic Woodchester Mansion Trust was formed. Author Liz Davenport, who has dedicated this book to her co-volunteers at Woodchester, is the Trust’s archivist, and they are lucky to have her. Helped particularly by a rich archive, discovered in Brighton in 2004, and other local sources she has done a thorough and professional job here, with much careful research, referencing and illustrations. This is a fascinating account. Buy it online – all proceeds go the Woodchester Mansion Trust – and, if you can, visit the mansion in its unspoilt and verdant park setting.
New Appointment at St Augustine's Ramsgate
The Pugin Society is pleased to see Father Simon Heans now in post as the new Manager of the St Augustine and Pugin Education, Research and Visitor Centre at Pugin’s shrine church of St Augustine in Ramsgate. He will be continuing the good work started here by previous Manager John Coverdale over the last three years. Subsequent to obtaining a History degree from Peterhouse, Cambridge, Father Simon began to teach from 1980 onwards, notably at Lancing College, Sussex (a feast of Gothic Revival buildings, in particular the sensational chapel, mostly the work of ‘The Anglican Pugin’ R H Carpenter), and then took orders as an Anglican priest. Eventually, however, he moved over in 2011 to the Catholic church, through the Personal Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham, thereafter working as a chaplain, first in a Catholic comprehensive and subsequently in a remand prison. Father Simon’s varied experience, his commitment to Pugin, church history, scholarship and Catholicism (others may wish to adjust the order here) make him just the man for the job. We hope that he and his wife Anne and family will enjoy life in East Kent and we wish him every success.
The Pugin Society is pleased to see Father Simon Heans now in post as the new Manager of the St Augustine and Pugin Education, Research and Visitor Centre at Pugin’s shrine church of St Augustine in Ramsgate. He will be continuing the good work started here by previous Manager John Coverdale over the last three years. Subsequent to obtaining a History degree from Peterhouse, Cambridge, Father Simon began to teach from 1980 onwards, notably at Lancing College, Sussex (a feast of Gothic Revival buildings, in particular the sensational chapel, mostly the work of ‘The Anglican Pugin’ R H Carpenter), and then took orders as an Anglican priest. Eventually, however, he moved over in 2011 to the Catholic church, through the Personal Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham, thereafter working as a chaplain, first in a Catholic comprehensive and subsequently in a remand prison. Father Simon’s varied experience, his commitment to Pugin, church history, scholarship and Catholicism (others may wish to adjust the order here) make him just the man for the job. We hope that he and his wife Anne and family will enjoy life in East Kent and we wish him every success.
St Peter's, Woolwich, benefits from Heritage Lottery Funds
Congratulations to everyone at Pugin's St Peter's Church, Woolwich, for all that they have done, with help from the Heritage Lottery Fund, to restore and promote St Peter's. They have shared a leaflet about the church's history and restoration, making it available to view online. We hope that anyone looking at this website and reading the church's leaflet will feel inspired to visit this interesting church for themselves, or even perhaps to offer help or support in some way. To view St Peter's leaflet, click HERE.
Congratulations to everyone at Pugin's St Peter's Church, Woolwich, for all that they have done, with help from the Heritage Lottery Fund, to restore and promote St Peter's. They have shared a leaflet about the church's history and restoration, making it available to view online. We hope that anyone looking at this website and reading the church's leaflet will feel inspired to visit this interesting church for themselves, or even perhaps to offer help or support in some way. To view St Peter's leaflet, click HERE.
MPs agree to full decant for Parliament's restoration and renewal
After several hours of debate, MPs voted to leave the Houses of Parliament for the much needed commencement of the restoration and renewal project. Although the full decant is not expected to take place until 2025, this is a step in the right direction. Thank you to all who contacted their representatives to advocate for these much needed repairs. The Guardian provides a concise outline of the vote. However, if you would like to (re)view the proceedings, click HERE and forward to 15:55:11 for the start of the debate.
May we also suggest that you follow The Pugin Society on Facebook where we update and share the latest on the Houses of Parliament and other Pugin-related issues? We hope you will join us there.
After several hours of debate, MPs voted to leave the Houses of Parliament for the much needed commencement of the restoration and renewal project. Although the full decant is not expected to take place until 2025, this is a step in the right direction. Thank you to all who contacted their representatives to advocate for these much needed repairs. The Guardian provides a concise outline of the vote. However, if you would like to (re)view the proceedings, click HERE and forward to 15:55:11 for the start of the debate.
May we also suggest that you follow The Pugin Society on Facebook where we update and share the latest on the Houses of Parliament and other Pugin-related issues? We hope you will join us there.
MPs to Vote on Vacating Parliament for Renovation Works
MPs are set to hold a free vote in the Commons to determine what, if anything, will be done regarding the much-needed restoration of the Houses of Parliament. However, The Guardian reports that "some [MPs] say [the] move out of Palace of Westminster for multibillion-pound restoration [is] unnecessary."
MPs will consider the folllowing options:
• Full decant. Commons and Lords both move out of the Palace of Westminster to buildings nearby while total renovation works take place. Estimated cost: £3.5bn over six years.
• Partial decant. Move the Commons off site first, then the Lords, renovating each in turn. Estimated cost: £4.4bn over 11 years.
• Refurbish on site. Commons and Lords chambers would still have to move, probably to Westminster Hall, during a rolling programme of upgrade works. Estimated cost: £5.7bn over 35 years.
Now would be a good time to contact your MP to express your support for the full and immediate restoration of this historic national treasure.
MPs are set to hold a free vote in the Commons to determine what, if anything, will be done regarding the much-needed restoration of the Houses of Parliament. However, The Guardian reports that "some [MPs] say [the] move out of Palace of Westminster for multibillion-pound restoration [is] unnecessary."
MPs will consider the folllowing options:
• Full decant. Commons and Lords both move out of the Palace of Westminster to buildings nearby while total renovation works take place. Estimated cost: £3.5bn over six years.
• Partial decant. Move the Commons off site first, then the Lords, renovating each in turn. Estimated cost: £4.4bn over 11 years.
• Refurbish on site. Commons and Lords chambers would still have to move, probably to Westminster Hall, during a rolling programme of upgrade works. Estimated cost: £5.7bn over 35 years.
Now would be a good time to contact your MP to express your support for the full and immediate restoration of this historic national treasure.
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Remembering Gavin Stamp
The Society is sad to learn that the architectural historian and conservationist Gavin Stamp passed away on the 30th December. A long-time supporter of the Pugin Society, Gavin was active in leading outings and contributing his vast insight to True Principles. Committee members Catriona Blaker and Julia Twigg discuss his lasting impact on the Pugin Society and the architectural community at large HERE. |
The Houses of Parliament's 'Restoration and Renewal' plan delayed once again
News that the decision on how to proceed with the 'Restoration and Renewal' plan is set to be postponed for 18 months comes as a bitter blow to those who realise that, as the BBC states, "the buildings of the Palace of Westminster are deteriorating faster than running repairs can be made" and that when work does begin, the cost will undoubtedly have risen.
For an idea of the current state of the building, read "Fires, floods and mice: What it's like to work in a crumbling Parliament" and be sure to have tissues at hand as the enormity of the situation is laid bare. One can only wonder why those elected officials who are privileged enough to work in this iconic building and act as its guardians are the last to realize the pressing urgency of the task at hand, for the 'Restoration and Renewal' is soon to turn to rubble and ruin if action is not taken.
News that the decision on how to proceed with the 'Restoration and Renewal' plan is set to be postponed for 18 months comes as a bitter blow to those who realise that, as the BBC states, "the buildings of the Palace of Westminster are deteriorating faster than running repairs can be made" and that when work does begin, the cost will undoubtedly have risen.
For an idea of the current state of the building, read "Fires, floods and mice: What it's like to work in a crumbling Parliament" and be sure to have tissues at hand as the enormity of the situation is laid bare. One can only wonder why those elected officials who are privileged enough to work in this iconic building and act as its guardians are the last to realize the pressing urgency of the task at hand, for the 'Restoration and Renewal' is soon to turn to rubble and ruin if action is not taken.
Caroline Shenton warns "Big Ben is falling silent. It's our final warning to save the Houses of Parliament."
As restoration work on Big Ben gets underway, former Parliamentary Archives director and scheduled speaker for the Pugin Society's 2017 AGM Caroline Shenton writes in The Guardian that unless something is done "The Palace will either suffer a major catastrophe such as a fire similar to the one which burned down the old Houses of Parliament in 1834, or a series of cumulative smaller failures...which will bring the infrastructure of the Palace to a standstill, or cause irreparable damage to Charles Barry and AWN Pugin’s masterpiece." Read the full article HERE and urge your MP to address this impending crisis before it is too late.
As restoration work on Big Ben gets underway, former Parliamentary Archives director and scheduled speaker for the Pugin Society's 2017 AGM Caroline Shenton writes in The Guardian that unless something is done "The Palace will either suffer a major catastrophe such as a fire similar to the one which burned down the old Houses of Parliament in 1834, or a series of cumulative smaller failures...which will bring the infrastructure of the Palace to a standstill, or cause irreparable damage to Charles Barry and AWN Pugin’s masterpiece." Read the full article HERE and urge your MP to address this impending crisis before it is too late.