News

The first John Betjeman Award in Ireland recognises sensitive external stonework conservation.

Stonemason Tom Flemons received the award for his outstanding personal contribution both to traditional building skills and support of the SPAB Fellowship.

A huge thank you to our members, donors, grant givers and followers who have not wavered in their support of the SPAB through the lockdown months. We would also like to offer our heartfelt thanks to the National Lottery players who made the National Lottery heritage Fund Emergency Grants possible.

Don’t forget that we will be closing the office on 23^rd December for the Christmas break, re-opening 4^th January. From everyone at the SPAB we wish you a very merry Christmas and a happy new year!

Our award for excellence in conservation at places of worship of all denominations and faiths drew a range of impressive entries in the England & Wales category. We were especially pleased to see the United Reformed Church, and Methodist buildings, represented this year.

After helpful input from members, SPAB is reviewing its involvement with UCL surface coatings research. We are seeking to ensure traditional finishes are central to the study.

Despite the disruption caused by Covid-19 to its format this year, the SPAB’s Philip Webb Award drew a record-breaking number of entries, with 31 schemes received from individuals or teams who, between them, represent 19 schools of architecture across the UK.   

Providing us with notice of a legacy in your will is extremely helpful, allowing us to plan with confidence.

We need your help to design a new range of SPAB t-shirts. We’d love for you to get creative and draw us a design including the SPAB colophon, or lozenge.

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.

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.