June 12, 2015 3.07 pm
This story is over 105 months old
At risk: Lincoln’s most endangered buildings
Endangered structures: A number of buildings and structures have ended up on the latest Historic England at risk register. Read about the endangered Lincoln landmarks.
Many dilapidated, neglected and historic buildings in Lincoln have ended up on the Historic England ‘heritage at risk’ register, and organisations are banding together to help save them.
Numerous flags on the map of city heritage date back thousands of years and all add to the county’s character and value for leisure, tourism and the local economy.
A number of projects and organisations collaborate their efforts to preserve Lincoln’s heritage for generations to come, however there are still significant gaps in care.
Groups such as Heritage Lincolnshire are working with county and local councils to develop projects and strategies for heritage at risk in the county.
The group’s three-year Lincolnshire Heritage at Risk project involved 300 volunteers across the Lincolnshire County Council border. However, that project has now come to a close.
Up until Wednesday, July 1, individuals, organisations and campaign groups can nominate structures built between 1837 and 1914 to appear in the Victorian Society’s Top Ten most endangered Victorian and Edwardian buildings.
Buildings under threat of demolition, neglect and ‘unsympathetic redevelopment’, which make the list, get the backing to encourage funding allocations.
List entry number: 4743 Condition: Poor Vulnerability: High Trend: Deteriorating significantly
This Historic England conservation area occupies around 77.16 acres, and is home to 312 listed buildings.
Lincoln Cathedral appears separately on the list, with current repair schemes identified and solutions agreed.
Lincoln’s is the only cathedral on the Historic England register. The dominating structure has survived through generosity since St Hugh undertook its major rebuilding in the 13th century.
It costs around £3 million each year to maintain and run the cathedral, and £1.5 million of that comes from donations .
The attraction’s prospects received a substantial boost this year with the allocation of £900,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund.
A further £11.3 million has also been earmarked in order to bring forward a £16 million renovation of the attraction.
Regeneration and building improvements will include a new interpretation centre, restaurant, gift shop, class rooms and exhibition space.
Gowts Bridge off Lincoln High Street. Photo: Richard Croft
List entry number: 5129 Condition: Poor Vulnerability: High Trend: No significant change
Gowts Bridge is a conservation area Grade II listed structure over Great Gowt Drain, seen here from Boultham Avenue.
This conservation area also includes two listed buildings, both Grade II between Scorer Street and Princess Stret
Church of St Swithin
Interior of the Church of St Swithins in Lincoln. Photo: Dave Hitchborne
List entry number: 11388543 Condition: Poor Priority Category: Slow decay; no solution agreed
The Church of St Swithin on Free School Lane in Lincoln is a Grade II listed place of worship built in the 1860s by James Fowler of Louth.
It replaced a church which was almost destroyed by fire in 1801.
Some repairs were carried out in 2013 after a grant was offered in 2011 and a medieval sculpture on the east gable was conserved.
However, there is still extensive wall stonework decay and the condition of the chancel windows is still considered “a major concern”.
Church of St Peter-at-Gowts
The Church of St Peter-at-Gowts off Lincoln High Street. Photo: Dave Hitchborne
List entry number: 138859 Condition: Poor Priority category: Slow decay; no solution agreed Trend: No significant change
The ancient church with nave and tower off Lincoln High Street dates back to at least the early 11th century.
During the Roman and Medieval period, the suburb of Wigford was mainly an area of high-status residencies. The suburb then gradually filled with back-to-back terrace houses with the arrival of the railway in 1848.
The earliest-surviving architectural features of the church date from the 11th-14th century. The north aisle and porch were added in 1852-1853 by W.A. Nicolson. The chancel was enlarged in 1887-1888, under the direction of Charles Hodgson Fowler.
Roman colonia wall at Cecil Street
The Lincoln Roman colonia wall, hidden from view off Cecil Street.
List entry number: 1003569 Condition: Extensive significant problems Principal Vulnerability: Deterioration – in need of management Trend: Declining Owner Type: Local authority
Lincoln is famous for its Roman origins. Construction of Lincoln’s city walls began early in the second century and re-modelling took place later in the Roman period.
The name ‘Lincoln’ derives from the early name ‘Lindum Colonia’, a reflection of city’s Roman status.
A length of the north circuit of the colonia wall was excavated behind houses on Cecil Street during the late 1970s.
In 2004, the City Council adopted a conservation plan for the Roman monuments in its care.
However, Historic England say the condition of the colonia wall is now very bad due to weathering, vandalism, footfall and vegetation growth.
Colonia wall and lower west gate, The Park
Colonia wall and lower west gate, The Park, near Lincoln City Hall
List entry number: 1004986 Condition: Very bad Priority category: Immediate risk of further rapid deterioration or loss of fabric; no solution agreed Owner Type: Local authority
The colonia wall and west gateway of the lower Roman city were revealed by archaeological excavations at the City Hall construction site in 1971.
The discovery of the gate excited national interest and the remains were consolidated and incorporated into the design of the City Hall and surrounding public realm.
The City of Lincoln Council undertook a major £143,000 restoration of the 3rd century Roman gateway uphill Newport Arch.
The work on the arch and Town Wall saw parts of the ancient monument restored after cold winters, a lorry crash and general corrosion landed it on the English Heritage ‘At Risk’ register.
Council maintenance
John Latham, Director of Development and Environmental Services at The City of Lincoln Council, said: “We are in contact with Heritage England about a programme of repairs and maintenance in the future.
“We take our responsibility for these monuments very seriously.”
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The 2024 Lincolnshire Business Excellence Awards are now open for nominations, seeking to spotlight outstanding businesses within the Greater Lincolnshire area.
Hosted by Stonebow Media, the publisher behind The Lincolnite and the MyLocal platform, this prestigious event is designed to honour the achievements of the regional business community.
Thanks to the headline sponsorship from the University of Lincoln Enterprise & Research department, the Lincolnshire Business Excellence Awards are a unique opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the contributions of local enterprises.
The awards are also sponsored by Ringrose Law, Duncan & Toplis, Sills & Betteridge and Pearson Hydraulics. A small number of sponsorship opportunities remain available. Contact [email protected] to discuss partnerships.
Businesses can nominate themselves across eleven awards categories:
The deadline for nominations is May 24, with the judges’ deliberation lunch set for May 29.The judging panel includes business experts and professionals from Lincolnshire and event sponsors.
The Lincolnshire Business Excellence Awards 2024 gala will take place at the Engine Shed on July 12, 2024.
Enhance profile & credibility: Securing an award or being shortlisted acts as a powerful endorsement, signaling trustworthiness to potential customers and helping to distinguish your business from competitors. Displaying the award on your communications can significantly boost your brand’s perception.
Insightful focus & feedback: The application process encourages deep reflection on your business strategy and direction, offering invaluable feedback and clarity, even for new ventures.
Team confidence boost: Recognition from the awards can significantly uplift your team’s morale, affirming the value and potential of your business in the eyes of industry experts.
Marketing & PR boost: Being associated with the awards, even as a nominee, can enhance brand visibility, providing ample content opportunities for social media and other marketing channels.
Networking opportunities: The awards connect you with local business leaders and experts, offering a platform to seek advice, share ideas, and foster future partnerships. The ceremony itself is an excellent occasion for networking with peers and celebrating mutual successes.
Potential to win: Entering offers a chance to win and gain all the associated benefits, but even without taking home a trophy, the process can yield significant advantages for your business.
A Lady Gaga loving kitten owned by a couple who run a charity for disabled pets featured on Channel 5’s The Pet Psychic.
Pet Psychic Beth Lee-Crowther comes to the aid of pet owners and in Tuesday night’s episode she met Cookie the kitten, a depressed camel, and looked at whether a dog can predict the future.