Becket's Chapel wins National Conservation Award
- secretary733
- Apr 8
- 2 min read
Updated: 6 days ago
Becket’s Chapel has been awarded an AABC Conservation Award in this year’s prestigious Civic Trust Awards. This is for the recent restoration and refurbishment of the chapel, the first phase of a two-stage development project. Becket’s Chapel was named as one of just four national winners in this category for projects which demonstrate the highest standards of historic building conservation and which make an outstanding contribution to the quality and appearance of the built environment. The judges said that ‘In preserving Becket’s Chapel, this initiative showcases how conservation can harmonise tradition and modernity, ensuring that historic buildings continue to enrich the community for generations to come’.
Chair of Historic Norfolk, Judith Harwood, said; ‘This accolade is a fantastic achievement for our relatively modest project sitting alongside such monumental entries as the Elizabeth Tower at Westminster and Westminster Hall. It is a particular tribute to the work of our architect, Patricia Forero and her professional team, our partnership working with Historic England and our trustees. None of this would have been possible without the initial and sustained support of the Architectural Heritage Fund which provided project viability, development and capital funding over a number of years.’
After purchasing the chapel in 2022 and raising over £700,000 in grants, Historic Norfolk carried out a phased repair and revitalisation project, following best conservation practices. This has successfully revived the Chapel, removing it from the Heritage at Risk Register. Whilst the chapel has once again become a well-used cornerstone of Wymondham’s identity, enhancing the town’s cultural and historical landscape, further Phase 2 development is necessary in order to make the building a financially viable and environmentally self-sustainable community venue for current and future generations. Phase 2 will encompass a Net-Zero inspired single-storey extension for a cafe, along with the implementation of sustainable energy sources. Historic Norfolk is now seeking grant funding for this second phase of the project.
Read more about the Civic Trust Awards and other winning projects here.
