Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Historic Buildings & Places @hbap1924.bsky.social · 6d

🌱 Take action on climate in your #heritage or #museum organisation!

Join our Carbon Literacy online #training: interactive, sector-specific, & certified by the Carbon Literacy Project.

📅 5 & 12 Nov | 3 & 12 Dec 2025
⏰ 9.30–12.30
Sign up: hbap.org.uk/resources/tr...

#CarbonLiteracy

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Historic Buildings & Places @hbap1924.bsky.social · 7d

🎉 We’re delighted to announce Freya Wigzell as the 2025 Stephen Croad Prize winner for her essay ''Shellery'? Grottoes and Companion Buildings at the Goodwood Shell House'.

Read more: hbap.org.uk/historic-bui...

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Historic Buildings & Places @hbap1924.bsky.social · 9d

Don't miss out! 🚨 Bookings for the 2025 HB&P Annual Lecture close at 4pm, 30 Sept. Join us and Tim Dunn on Zoom for 'What did the railways do for us?'. Don’t miss this celebration of railway heritage!

Find out more 👉 hbap.org.uk/2025-annual-...

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Historic Buildings & Places @hbap1924.bsky.social · 12d

HB&P has objected to plans to demolish High Habberley House near #Kidderminster - a fine late Georgian home in good condition with original features, incl. its circular stair.

We believe it could be repurposed or sold, not lost.
Ref: 25/0654/DEM (Wyre Forest District Council)

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Historic Buildings & Places @hbap1924.bsky.social · 14d

The White Mill in Sandwich, Kent, is about to turn its sails once again! Built in 1760, it’s being restored thanks to years of volunteer dedication. A great community landmark.

Image: © Helmut Zozmann (cc-by-sa/2.0)

#EverydayHeritage #IndustrialHeritage #HistoricPlaces

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Historic Buildings & Places @hbap1924.bsky.social · 15d

Two Southend landmarks have been listed at Grade II, recognising their importance in seaside heritage.

The Shrubbery Gardens and Sun Shelter at Westcliff-on-Sea, both capture the glamour and eccentricity of the British seaside tradition.

Discover more: www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Southend-on-Sea's 1920s sun shelter is Grade II listed

The legal protection is also granted to the city's late 18th Century Shrubbery Gardens.

www.bbc.co.uk

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Historic Buildings & Places @hbap1924.bsky.social · 18d

Last weekend, our team member Stefanie explored Lincoln’s Inn during Open House London. This Inn of Court features historic halls, peaceful gardens, and rich #heritage. Did you find any hidden gems during Open House this year? We'd love to hear about your explorations!

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Historic Buildings & Places @hbap1924.bsky.social · 19d

🚂 HB&P Annual Lecture 2025
🗓️ Tuesday 30 Sept | 7:15–8:30pm | Online
🎙️ Guest speaker: Tim Dunn

Talk: 'What did the railways do for us?' – marking 200 years of the modern #railway.

👉 Register: hbap.org.uk/2025-annual-...

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Historic Buildings & Places @hbap1924.bsky.social · 20d

We’ve objected to plans to demolish locally listed Sherbrooke Hall Farm in Saddleworth, Oldham. Built in 1819, this farmhouse and barn are part of the area’s industrial & farming heritage. Important history risks being lost without considering repair or adaptation.

📷: Saddleworth Local List Record

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Historic Buildings & Places @hbap1924.bsky.social · 21d

Birnbeck Pier has been given a lifeline.

Just as councillors were preparing to cancel the project, the National Lottery Heritage Fund stepped in with £5.5m to save the restoration.

The listed pier will now be restored, securing its place in our seaside heritage.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Historic Birnbeck Pier saved as last-minute funding announced

The project in Weston-super-Mare was set to be cancelled before a heritage organisation stepped in.

www.bbc.co.uk

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Historic Buildings & Places @hbap1924.bsky.social · 22d

Join our virtual event on Mon, Oct 20, 2025, at 6pm as we delve into the rich history of Wales' heritage railways. Featuring Jo Quinney from Great Little Trains of Wales, discover the impact of railways on Wales' heritage and tourism.

🔗 hbap.org.uk/online-talk-...

📷: Credit GLTW

Historic Buildings & Places @hbap1924.bsky.social · 23d

A new chapter for St James, Church Kirk.

This Grade II* church—medieval tower, 1803 nave, 1894 chancel—has stood redundant for over a decade. A sensitive office conversion has now been approved, retaining key features like stained glass, the Mary Halstead monument, and the 1909 reredos.

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Historic Buildings & Places @hbap1924.bsky.social · 27d

Open just a few times a year, Ellerton Priory welcomes visitors on Sunday 14 September 2025 (10.30–5.00) for Heritage Open Days.

Take a guided tour, see the stained glass, discover the church’s restoration story — and don’t miss homemade cakes! 🍰

📍 Near York (YO42 4PD).

#HeritageOpenDays

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Historic Buildings & Places @hbap1924.bsky.social · 29d

Surrey’s Reigate Heath Windmill is no ordinary mill - it’s thought to be the only one in the world that doubles as a consecrated church. Built in 1765 and adapted for worship in 1880, this Grade II* listed site shows how our historic places evolve and endure.

Read more: www.bbc.com/news/article...

The Reigate windmill in that moonlights as a church - BBC News

The rare Grade II listed Reigate Heath Windmill was built in about 1765.

www.bbc.com

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Historic Buildings & Places @hbap1924.bsky.social · Sep 8

🚂 HB&P Annual Lecture 2025
🗓️ Tuesday 30 Sept | 7:15–8:30pm | Online
🎙️ Guest speaker: Tim Dunn

Talk: 'What did the railways do for us?' – marking 200 years of the modern #railway.

👉 Register: hbap.org.uk/2025-annual-...

2025 Annual Lecture of Historic Buildings & Places Ft Guest Speaker Tim Dunn - Historic Buildings & Places

We are pleased to invite members and non-members to the 2025 HB&P Annual Lecture, taking place on Tuesday 30th September 2025, from 7:15pm to 8:30pm via Zoom.

hbap.org.uk

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Historic Buildings & Places @hbap1924.bsky.social · Sep 1

Heritage Open Days are back! From hidden gardens to historic buildings, explore untold stories in your community — for free.

📅 12–21 September 2025
Plan your visit: www.heritageopendays.org.uk

📷: Bedern Hall, © Chris Sayles (cc-by-sa/2.0)

#Heritage #HeritageOpenDays

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Historic Buildings & Places @hbap1924.bsky.social · Aug 30

Great news for Portsmouth’s heritage: The King’s Theatre, Southsea (Frank Matcham, 1907) has had its improvement plans approved. HB&P supported the application, only needing to comment on some of the finer detail and are delighted this historic theatre is progressing.

📷: © N Chadwick (cc-by-sa/2.0)

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Historic Buildings & Places @hbap1924.bsky.social · Aug 29

Seaside #heritage matters. 🌊

This summer we welcomed nearly 100 delegates to the first Recognising Seaside Heritage Symposium, exploring how to conserve, sustain and regenerate Britain’s coastal heritage – from Blackpool’s piers to Southport’s seafront.

Full story here:
hbap.org.uk/safeguarding...

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Historic Buildings & Places @hbap1924.bsky.social · Aug 28

🚆 What did the railways do for us?

Join HB&P and Tim Dunn for the 2025 HB&P Annual Lecture
📅 30 Sept | 🕢 7:15–8:30pm | 💻 Zoom
🎟 Free for HB&P members | £10 non-members

Winner of the 2025 Stephen Croad Prize will also be announced!

🔗 Book: hbap.org.uk/2025-annual-...

#Railway200 #Heritage

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Historic Buildings & Places @hbap1924.bsky.social · Aug 26

The oldest wooden church in the world stands in Ongar, Essex.

St Andrew’s, Greensted has witnessed over 1,300 years of history — from Viking raids to the Reformation — and it’s still a place of worship today.

📖 www.theguardian.com/environment/...

#HistoricPlaces #EverydayHeritage #Churches

Country diary: You could tell a story of England in this church alone | Alexandra Pearce-Broomhead

Ongar, Essex: The ‘oldest wooden church in the world’ is a mosaic of styles and stories, having seen plagues, raids and the Reformation – and it’s still in use today

www.theguardian.com

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Historic Buildings & Places @hbap1924.bsky.social · Aug 24

East Yorkshire is hosting more than 100 free heritage events this September! 🏛️

📅 12–21 September
📍 Beverley, Hornsea, Goole, Howden & more

Expect open houses, gardens, barge trips, church talks & guided walks. Booking is recommended.

👉 www.eastriding.gov.uk/news/article...

#HeritageOpenDays

September Heritage Open Days include more than 100 free events

www.eastriding.gov.uk

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Historic Buildings & Places @hbap1924.bsky.social · Aug 22

Durham City’s Conservation Area Management Plan is being reviewed, including appraisals of what makes this place so special. This is your chance to influence how Durham’s history is protected & enhanced.

Have your say 👇
letstalkcountydurham.co.uk/en-GB/folder...

📷: David Ross

Historic Buildings & Places @hbap1924.bsky.social · Aug 21

Join us on Tues 2 Sept, for a guided walking tour exploring #Birmingham's industrial #heritage and architectural gems.

Led by local expert Kevin Thomas, this tour will reveal canalside factories, historic workshops, Art Deco treasures and more.

🔗 hbap.org.uk/walking-tour...

📷: Kevin Thomas

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Historic Buildings & Places @hbap1924.bsky.social · Aug 20

Woolton Hall, built 1704 and transformed by Robert Adam, barely survived demolition—earning Grade I status. Long empty and derelict, it’s now been ravaged by fire.

A grim reminder: we need stronger protection for our everyday heritage. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Huge fire at abandoned Woolton Hall mansion in Liverpool

Woolton Hall, built in 1704, is engulfed in flames and appears to be on the verge of collapse.

www.bbc.co.uk

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Historic Buildings & Places @hbap1924.bsky.social · Aug 17

This picturesque timber-framed cottage in Abbots Morton, Worcestershire, with its soft thatched roof and whitewashed walls, has stood for over 300 years.

📷: Jeff Gogarty, CC BY-SA 2.0

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