Historic Birmingham pub's 'rare and remarkable' survival
The Golden Lion was one of 37 heritage sites in England - and four in the West Midlands - to receive funding, which also included the Bethesda Methodist Chapel in Stoke-on-Trent - known as the "cathedral of the Potteries".With the pub, which was originally based in Deritend High Street, its early history is "shrouded in mystery" though some of its timbers date back to the 15th Century, the Birmingham Conservation Trust says.The building was rebuilt between 1616 and 1644, thought to be as a result of damage during a Royalist attack on Birmingham in the Civil Wars era.
Since then, the Golden Lion has been used as a pub, culler's house, six small homes, a scrap shop and a rangers' hut, the trust said.It was dismantled by the Birmingham and Warwickshire Archaeological Society in 1911 before it was rebuilt at its current location in Cannon Hill Park, where it was used as a cricket pavilion.During the votes for women protests, it was badly damaged in an arson attack carried out by suffragettes in 1912.
Sarah Hayes, museum and trust director at the conservation trust, said: "It's a rare and remarkable survival of a timber-framed building in Birmingham, one that has stood the test of time and survived beyond all odds."But the building has stood empty and unused for 20 years, falling into a dilapidated state, with scaffolding currently surrounding the site.The trust has been working with Birmingham City Council to try and bring it back into community use, though the grant from Historic England, a spokesperson said, would make the site secure and watertight but not yet usable.The repair work will include fixing the roof, chimneys, walls, floors, windows and doors, as well as adding French doors to the rear before the scaffolding is removed.Ms Hayes said it was "our turn" to help the much-loved building in "desperate" need of help."In many ways it feels like the last chance for us to act before its condition becomes beyond repair," she added.
Meanwhile in Stoke-on-Trent, charity Re-Form Heritage said it was "delighted and grateful" to receive £521,737 of funding for its work to rejuvenate Bethesda Methodist Chapel in Hanley.The Grade II* listed building on Albion Street, Hanley, was first built in 1798, according to the Friends of Bethesda Chapel.At first, it seated 600 people but was deemed to be too small in 1813, so the back wall was removed and the building extended to fit 1,000 people.As the "fire of Methodism" grew in the Potteries, the Friends of Bethesda Chapel said it was once again judged to be too small in 1819 so the extension was pulled down and replaced.The chapel reopened to worshippers in 1820 and was "full to excess" with about 3,000 people in attendance.Historic England said the chapel stood as a "testament to the power and influence of the Methodist Church" in 19th Century Stoke-on-Trent.
Since its closure in 1985, the Friends of Bethesda Chapel and Historic Chapels Trust have been maintaining the site.Conservation specialists Re-Form Heritage have taken control of the efforts to bring the building back into use.The grant will go towards repairing plasterwork, timber panelling, staircases, east lobby and ceiling coving, a spokesperson said.The charity said the renovated site would "provide a more attractive, comfortable and accessible space".Under the plans, the building will be used as a mixed-use space in the future, housing creative arts education specialist Pinc College and feature exhibition and performance space.Re-Form Heritage chief executive Alasdair Brook said: "The funds will allow us to move forward with bringing the much-loved Cathedral of the Potteries back into community use."We're excited at being able to progress our work at this important Grade II* listed building over the coming months."
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