Last Updated on May 27, 2022
We are very pleased to say that The Horsey Windpump, a project which we were appointed to by The National Trust, has been awarded Building Conservation Project of the Year 2019 by The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) in their regional awards.
The awards took place earlier this month on 15th May 2019, and celebrated the most innovative projects in the East of England and their impact on local communities.
Horsey Windpump, which is a landmark in the Norfolk Broads and a Grade II listed building, was left derelict for 75 years after it was struck by lightning in 1943. In 2015, The National Trust began a project with the aim of restoring the building back to life. We were delighted to participate in the restoration, as Horsey Windpump is such as iconic landmark in our local area.
We worked together with TWCM Woodworking to use original materials where possible, and traditional materials as substitutes where it was not possible to re-use material.
In March this year, Horsey Windpump was re-opened after a successful restoration. The full height of the mill can be accessed by visitors including the platform around the cap, which is unusual for a building of this type. However, these extensive views help visitors to understand the mill in the context of the landscape and the role it played in fenland drainage.
Matt King, the National Trust’s Lead Building Surveyor said, “We’ve had a dedicated team working on the restoration of Horsey Windpump and we’re over the moon that the RICS have recognised the skill and care that has gone into the “nuts and bolts” of this building’s conservation work.”
Philip Orchard, Partner at Whitworth, said, “Horsey Windpump has been a fascinating project to be involved with. All credit goes to our millwright, Tim Whiting and mills consultant Luke Bonwick. Every brick and piece of timber, both large and small has been carefully considered, then repaired or upgraded for its new role in the future. It’s not been without its challenges, but the commitment of everyone involved has ensured that this well-loved and iconic Norfolk landmark has been brought back to life, which is already proving popular with visitors.”
The project will now be considered for the RICS Building Conservation Project of the year at the RICS Awards Grand Final held on 4th October in London.
Find out more about our conservation projects.
A detailed description of the restoration of Horsey Windpump was published in the spring 2020 issue of The SPAB, written by Whitworth Architect and SPAB Scholar, Philip Orchard.