News

SPAB volunteer Keri Dearmer explores the wealth of history in her district in East London

Frederick Duleep Singh (1868-1926), is one the most interesting personalities from the SPAB archives. The younger son of the last Maharaja of the Sikh Empire, Prince ‘Freddie' was a dedicated SPAB member and saved a 15th-century townhouse.

The Award is presented each year to the person who best embodied the working party spirit - a warm mixture of generosity, dedication and enthusiasm. This year, the first year, it was awarded to Britt Harwood.

SPAB Scholar Amy Redman explores the industrial heritage of 'Porty'.

Although we have not historically supported the use of colourless water-repellents on historic masonry, there is a new generation of ‘breathable’ products about which that we're increasingly being asked. This research will add to a wider body of evidence that will inform the SPAB’s position on these products.

We were recently consulted on proposed changes to St George’s in West Grinstead, Sussex to accommodate its bat population. We asked The Bats in Churches Project, to tell us more about protecting historic buildings and bats.

Our event is going ahead this year, though with arrangements in place to ensure the safety of our volunteers, specialists and staff.

We are very excited that this summer leading craftspeople and specialists will carry out urgent roof repairs at St Andrew’s, Boxley. With their help we will make some new handmade tiles and can conserve as much of the original roof as possible.

Despite a campaign to save it, this splendid building was demolished in 1890 and its oak frontage hangs in the V&A museum; an early example of facadism in this area of London.

In May our enthusiastic, hard-working and reforming Chair Iain Boyd stepped down in after six years steering the Society. Here Iain reflects on his tenure.