Cemetery chapels at Cathays Cemetery in Cardiff. Picture courtesy The Victorian Society
The Victorian Society's annual campaign to find the UK's 10 most endangered buildings has been launched, urging the public to nominate churches, pubs, stately homes and other buildings in need of protection.
The charity is seeking sites built between 1837 and 1914 which are suffering from neglect or the threat of demolition. Entries do not need to be listed buildings.
"We should preserve Victorian buildings purely because there's still so much life in them," said Society Director Ian Dungavell. "They've been with us for more than 100 years and are perfectly capable of being there in the future."
The third year of the campaign has the added pressure of the recession. "We think at this time people may not have the money to look after the buildings, so it's important not to let them get neglected," added Dungavell.
"Often a few leaves in the guttering can lead to big problems, so we need to look after these small issues to prevent costly maintenance. We need to make sure they survive through the recession."
Nocton Hall in Lincolnshire. Picture courtesy The Victorian Society
Following the "phenomenal" success of last year's campaign, Dungavell hopes the public can use their power to save more buildings. "One of last year's winners, Moseley Road Baths in Birmingham, is being preserved thanks to the public. They are the most important Edwardian baths you can still swim in," he explained, praising further success stories at Kentish Town and Marshall Street baths in London.
"They are owned by the City Council, and thanks to the public they are willing to put money towards saving them. It goes to show that people power does work.”
Many Victorian buildings are neglected because planners don't realise they can be used for other purposes, according to Dungavell.
"Often buildings get torn down to make way for a new building, but sometimes it makes more sense to use the building that's already there and it can be cheaper too."
"In Nottingham there is an old railway station that has been converted into a gym, and in London there's a church which is now a spa. It all takes a bit of imagination."
Public swimming baths in Ashton-under-Lyme. Picture courtesy The Victorian Society
The society traditionally receives a deluge of nominations from the public for buildings they would like to save. "Mostly it's public or commercial entities that people want to save, but I'd like to see the variety we get this year," said Dungavell.
Derelict churches are a particular problem. "There are many huge chapels which unfortunately don't lend themselves very well to any sort of refurbishment, so it's important to keep these as churches," he argued. "The smaller ones can be converted into houses, though. They're very atmospheric and great for parties."
To nominate a building, visit the Victorian Society website, upload a photograph and description to their Flickr site or email community@victoriansociety.org.uk.
