The care and repair of old buildings
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The SPAB Approach -
John Betjeman AwardCelebrating excellence in the repair of places of worship
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We advise, we educate, we campaign
The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings
We believe old buildings have a future. From cottages to castles and from churches to cathedrals we are here to help buildings and the people who care for them. Based on years of experience and research we understand how old buildings work.
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News
Three young architecture graduates have won the SPAB's prestigious ‘new design in historic contexts’ award, the Philip Webb Award, for their separate schemes proving that with imagination and sensitivity you don’t need to demolish historic buildings.
Medieval farmhouse on the edge of Exmoor, the site of a SPAB Guerilla Working Party to secure the building for the winter, has been officially recognised as ‘at risk’ by Historic England this week.
Father of Arts & Crafts architecture and SPAB co-founder Philip Webb was born on this day in 1831. He was an architect, designer, conservationist and mentor.
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Become a member
Join today to support our positive, practical approach to building conservation. As a member you become part of a network of like-minded people who care for historic buildings. Other benefits include The SPAB Magazine, access to the Property List and the opportunity to join your local Regional Group.
Scholarship & Fellowship
Education programmes for architects, surveyors, engineers and craftspeople to further their 'hands-on' understanding of historic building conservation.
Shop
Visit our online shop to browse our range of helpful books and guides to caring for old buildings. We also offer a selection of gifts.
Upcoming Events
Course
05/03/2019
Discover how to identify the causes of mould and timber decay in old buildings and how to control their impact. Part of our 2019 lunchtime CPD series.
Lecture
07/03/2019
Ruskin was an early advocate for vernacular buildings - not least for the local associations and hereditary skills they embody in their materials and construction. Peter Burman explores this aspect of Ruskin’s thought and its influence.
Event
09/03/2019
A day of talks and presentations on some of the pioneering feats and figures of the milling world.
Campaigns
Campaign
The SPAB runs national campaigns raising awareness about important issues surrounding the protection of old buildings.
Your campaign
If you’re worried about a deteriorating building in your local area, want to contest a planning application, build your own local campaign or set up a building preservation trust then the The SPAB Campaign Toolkit can offer guidance.
Mills
Technical advice
All old buildings need regular care and maintenance in order to prevent serious disrepair. Windmills and watermills are by their nature exposed to wear from wind and water in addition to facing problems common to historic buildings.
The SPAB Mills Section has put together a suite of resources and guidance tailored to those caring for old windmills and watermills.
Visit a mill
Become a Mills Section member
The SPAB’s Mills Section is the only Society concerned solely with protecting and promoting traditional windmills and watermills in the UK. The Section provides advice and training to mill owners and heritage professionals, and campaigns for the protection of milling heritage. Join the Section now to support its work and receive a range of membership benefits.