Ironbridge Bedlam Blast Furnaces join Heritage at Risk register
A pair of 18th century blast furnaces at Ironbridge are among historic gems added to the Heritage at Risk register in the West Midlands, English Heritage announced today.
Across the region 69 sites have been added to the Register because of concerns about their condition, while 55 have been repaired and removed from the Register, their future secured. Over the year more than £1.4 million has been given in English Heritage grants to help some of the region’s best loved and most important historic sites.
Bedlam Furnaces, built into the valley side in Ironbridge, are new on the Register this year as part of the monument is unstable and supported by scaffolding. Plans for this important survivor from the Industrial Revolution include protection by a roof which will give shelter from the weather and allow the structure to stabilise.
Three parks & gardens across the county have been saved by determined owners who have recognised the importance of some of the region's finest historic gems.
At Lilleshall Hall where the landscaped grounds give athletes at The National Sports Centre the atmosphere they need to focus on training. At Condover and Acton Burnell, owners have researched the history and development of the gardens and committed to Conservation Management Plans agreed with English Heritage which will conserve their historic character.
Elsewhere in the county, the dedicated owner of Pentre Isaf is busy restoring the Grade II* timber framed medieval hall-house, even re-discovering and restoring the historic windows, from where he soon plans to run his conservation building company.
A number of sites have been removed from the Register due to active owners, dedicated to understanding the unique character of their historic site and inspired to care for it. Efforts by owners have rescued three Shropshire parks & gardens.
Sarah Lewis, Heritage at Risk Principal in the West Midlands for English Heritage said: “The enthusiasm and commitment of owners is essential for our heritage. Almost half the sites removed from the Register have been saved by owners, Lilleshall park & garden were saved by a thorough conservation management plan. Tapping into this will continue to be a core priority for our Heritage at Risk Team in the coming years.”
