The 2021 Civic Trust Annual Awards
Sleaford and District Civic Trust works to highlight excellence of building design and/or works to improve the look of the town, while championing the preservation of high quality existing architecture.
The Trust has just announced the first of its 2021 Civic Trust Annual Awards, spotlighting works completed in 2021.
- On Tuesday 8th August 2023, a Civic Trust Award Plaque was awarded to the very attractive mosaics in the entrance to Gladstone’s Yard.
These photographs were taken at the short ceremony with members of MosArt, the group who created the artworks, which were funded by the Town Council. David Marriage (Chair of Sleaford Civic Trust) and Tony Brand (Sleaford Mayor) made short speeches of congratulation, and Pauline Dobson (Chair of MosArt) replied on behalf of the group. The beautiful mosaics are based on local landmarks and serve to brighten up a previously dull entrance walkway into Gladstone’s Yard. These mosaic panels are part of a series of mosaics created within the town by MosArt, including the tribute to Les Gostick on the wall of Sleaford Museum and one which is soon to be unveiled at the Sleaford Cemetery Arboretum.
Unusually, the same property has been selected for 2 years running for the less prestigious award of ‘Mess of the Year’.
- Mess of the Year 2021 title and it is awarded to the same property for the second year in a row – the former Greenhills Post Office property on Southgate, overlooking one of the town’s historic landmarks, the Handley Monument. London-based property owners Telereal Trillium, confirmed last December that they were in the process of undertaking a refurbishment of the building following the previous tenant’s vacation. The property was to be much improved and available for a new tenant by Spring 2022. Despite many emails and telephone calls to Telereal Trillium and their assurances that work would begin, nothing appears to have happened. The building has deteriorated and continues to be a shameful sight as one enters Sleaford. Telereal Trillium has responded to the Civic Trust since confirmation of the award for the second year running and they state that they are still considering options for the refurbishment of the property.
(Picture from Sleaford Standard)
The Civic Trust Annual Awards recognise the best new development and building restoration projects in the town with plaques and Certificates of Commendation.
The 2020 Civic Trust Annual Awards were held on Tuesday 23rd November 2021. Photographs below.
- A Civic Trust Award Plaque was awarded to the Sleaford Islamic Centre on Station Road
- A Certificate of Commendation awarded to Wilcox Homes Handley Street development.
The Mess of the Year 2020 has been named as the Old Post Office building on Southgate, close to the Handley Monument. The Trust understands that the owners are very much aware of the state of the building and are actively working to improve the appearance for 2022.
The Sleaford Islamic Centre is the only masjid in Sleaford serving a growing and diverse community of Muslims in the area. The centre offers a range of activities including religious services, educational activities for children and other welfare projects. It is a registered charity and has been built entirely from donations, transforming a rundown and delapidated area of the town into a building of great beauty and purpose.
The award was presented to the Dr Saleem Ajumal (Centre Chairman), Shereem Ajumal (Treasurer) and other committee members. The Trust would like to thank the Centre representatives for their time, the guided tour and their wonderful hospitality.
Wilcox Homes (JCO Developments) have been building homes in Lincolnshire for the past 20 years and have acquired an enviable reputation for build quality and customer service. The Handley Street development has created stylish and attractive town houses in this town centre location.
The Certificate of Commendation was presented by David Marriage to (from left) Malcolm Kurt of DBL Architectural Designs, Robert Wilcox (Managing Director), Will Elkington (Sales Director) and Stephanie Wilcox.
The 2019 Civic Trust Annual Awards were sadly much delayed by Covid, but they were finally held on Tuesday 10th August 2021 at 10am on the old Quarrington School site (London Rd side). The Trust chose two building projects for the Building Restoration Awards, both completed by NKDC.
- The Quarrington School built in 1867 and which, following closure in 2002, has been carefully restored and converted into housing by NKDC.
- The Newfield Road Estate built back in 1919 was now very dated. The new restoration scheme was welcomed by the residents and also allowed additional housing to be added to the area.
Civic Trust Plaques were awarded by David Marriage, Chairman of Sleaford Civic Trust to senior members of North Kesteven District Council, Richard Wright (Leader) and Phil Roberts (Dep Chief Exec), and also to the project leaders, Chris Flannery (Q Old School) and Scott Masterman (Newfield Rd).
Nominations for future Civic Trust Awards are welcome from members of the trust and members of the public. They are considered annually by a Committee of individuals with appropriate professional and practical experience of work within the built environment.
The Trust’s concern for the built environment, public awareness, and an active encouragement for the repair and restoration of neglected buildings is supported through the ‘Mess of the Year Award’.
