SPAB Essex Group Social - CANCELLED

It is with regret that we have made the decision to cancel this event, as the speaker and venue have both decided not to go forward with it as scheduled. If you are already registered for the event you should have had an email from us about the cancellation.

In the meantime, SPAB continues our education and campaigining work. Our technical line will remain open and we will continue to be here to protect old buildings and support those who care for them.

Saturday 21st March 2020 at 6.00pm

The Great Dunmow Maltings is a unique example of a classic conservation project which successfully combines its internationally recognised status as a popular, historic visitor attraction with dynamic community involvement as a thriving venue for private hire events, business meetings, conferences and civil wedding ceremonies - as well as being home to The Great Dunmow Town Museum.

The Great Dunmow Maltings is an outstanding survival of the early malting and brewing industry, last functional in 1948 as part of the old Dunmow Brewery Company.  The oldest parts of the maltings date from the 16th century, though the building is recorded as having undergone major refurbishment around 1780 followed by further modification in the 19th century.

After an abortive attempt in 1992 to dismantle and relocate the building to avoid its demolition, the Maltings was recorded by the Essex Historic Buildings Group. After temporary work to halt further structural deterioration the Great Dunmow Maltings Preservation Trust was formed in 1996 with the express purpose of conserving the building. Proposals to combine the work with conversion of parts of the building to form meeting rooms and to house the local town museum were formulated with close involvement of English Heritage which offered a major repair grant. This enabled the Trust to approach the Heritage Lottery Fund which then awarded major funding for the entire project.

With further funding from The Pilgrim Trust, Essex Heritage Trust and BAA, work commenced in 1998 and was completed in 2000. The building now combines a fascinating insight into an historic local industry together with a fully functioning, modern meetings centre.

The evening will include a guided tour and talk.

Buffet Dinner

As ever, delicious food, drink and convivial company will form vital ingredients for the evening, along with a quiz and raffle with prizes donated by Bakers of Danbury. A superb buffet dinner will include the following options:

Main Courses
Whole poached side of salmon
Slices of stuffed chicken breast
Caramelised red onion tart (veg)

Salads
Mixed green leaf salad
Mediterranean salad (New potato, olives, pepper and feta cheese in a tomato sauce)
Italian salad (with tomato, mozzarella and avocado)
Coleslaw

Desserts
Lemon tart
Tiramisu

The ticket price of £30 includes a welcome glass of wine or fruit juice, with the opportunity to buy further drinks by the glass.

Programme

The programme for the evening will be as follows:
Arrival and welcome drink from 6pm
Talk by Elphin Watkin
Tour of the building
Dinner (approx 7.30pm)
Quiz and raffle
Carriages 10pm

A more detailed programme along with maps and directions will be sent to registrants the week before the event.

Multiple bookings

As long as there is space on the event, we usually allow you to book for both yourself and a guest. When completing the booking form, you will be asked to select the number of people and put in your own details on the first page, then to put in your second person's details on the next page. The event fee shown on each of these pages is for the individual person - you will be shown the total amount due once you get to the summary page.

About the Essex Regional Group

The SPAB Essex Regional Group was formed in 2000 and has been active ever since. The types of visits are fun, interesting and educational with an annual social event, normally in an historic building. Our participants vary from interested SPAB members wanting to enhance their knowledge of historic buildings to professionals using the visits as part of their continuing professional development programme.

Booking Terms & Conditions

Accessibility: please contact the Group Organiser before booking to discuss any special access requirements.