The Esher Award was presented to architect and cultural campaigner John Sell at the 2018 SPAB Members' Weekend in Bristol. A former Chairman and a Guardian of the SPAB, for more than 40 years John has worked on a wide range of historic buildings in the UK and Europe. He is executive vice-president (UK) of Europa Nostra, the voice of cultural heritage in Europe, bringing together all the national non-governmental bodies concerned with the historic environment. John also chairs the Joint Committee of the National Amenity Societies.
Esher Award
Esher Award
The Esher Award commemorates the late Viscount Esher GBE, Hon FRIBA who was Chairman of the SPAB from 1932-1960. It is not presented each year, but is given when deserved to those who, on purely altruistic grounds, have furthered the cause of building conservation and the work of the Society.
Past Winners
2018 Recipient: John Sell
2017 Recipient: Stafford Holmes
In 2017, Stafford Holmes received the Esher Award. Stafford has given decades of support to the SPAB and the world of building conservation as an architect specialising in the study and application of building limes, and traditional building materials. Stafford has lent his expertise as a host to the Scholars and Fellows programmes, as a member of the SPAB technical panel, with the Building Limes Forum and Rodney Melville & Partners. He has spent countless hours building kilns, slaking lime and educating others through seminal books and research.
2016 Recipient: John Drake
John Drake of the Drake Trust was given the Esher Award 2016 for the unflagging support he has given to training the next generation of conservation specialists. Past SPAB Scholar, architect Dorian Crone, accepted the award on Mr Drake’s behalf at the 2016 SPAB Members' Meeting in Kings Lynn.
2015 Recipient: Elaine and Charles Blackett-Ord
Cumbria-based architect Elaine Blackett-Ord and engineer Charles Blackett-Ord, who have done so much to promote conservation in the north west and to support the SPAB’s work, including though Charles’ Chairmanship of the Society’s Technical Panel and though hosting the SPAB’s Scholars and Fellows on their country-wide conservation travels, received the award at the 2015 Members' Meeting in Carlisle.
2022 Recipient: Rory Young
Our Esher Award was presented to sculptor, conservator and artist Rory Young at the SPAB Heritage Awards ceremony. Over a long career, Rory has worked on some of the country's most famous buildings, including the west doorway at York Minster and creating seven new stone martyrs for St Albans Cathedral. Rory has been a loyal supporter of the SPAB for decades, hosting generations of Scholars and Fellows. Rory said: “Being part of the continuum of repair and renewal in a building’s life has been humbling, inspiring and a privilege.”
