Latest news with #historicbuildings
BBC News
16-07-2025
- General
- BBC News
Devon and Cornwall church repair concerns over grant changes
Fears have been raised over changes to a grant scheme that supports work on historic South West religious Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme, which since 2001 has allowed sites to claim back VAT on urgent repairs, has only been extended until March 2026 and had a cap of £25,000 per year introduced by the has raised concerns from people looking after venues in Devon and Cornwall about whether they would be able to afford future Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) said it been a "difficult decision" to make the changes but data suggested 94% of claims would be unaffected. Claire Walker, chief executive of the National Churches Trust, said the government scheme was a "lifeline" to many said: "It's not within the means of a congregation to find that extra money, so that could mean churches cannot stay wind and watertight and they can't keep themselves open." A fundraising campaign is taking place at St Grada Church on Cornwall's Lizard peninsula, which needs an estimated £450,000 worth of restoration work carried Elliot, who has been coming to the church for more than 50 years and is helping with the fundraising, said the main issue was parts of the roof falling Elliot said: "It is not going to fall under our watch, we have got to save it."The Church of St Philip & St James in Ilfracombe, which dates to 1856 and is now known as Pip and Jim's Church, is on Historic England's Heritage At Risk current phase of work to renovate its stonework is costing about £600, Reverend Mark Ruoff said the church was at the "heart of the people" of the town."It needs to be renewed and revived," Mr Ruoff added. A statement from DCMS said the changes were being implemented against a "tough financial background across the heritage and cultural sectors"."We made the difficult decision to implement an annual limit of £25,000 on the amount individual places of worship can claim in the coming year," a spokesperson said."We believe that this will continue the widest distribution of the scheme's benefits within the available means."The spokesperson added funding after March 2026 would be considered.
BBC News
13-07-2025
- General
- BBC News
Warwick: Historic leper hospital gets £2.8m to restore into homes
More than £2.8m has been secured to transform two 15th-century buildings into affordable St Michaels' Place project aims to "rescue and reuse" the Master's House and St Michael's Chapel in Saltisford, Warwick, after receiving the award from the National Lottery Heritage two buildings on the 800-year-old leper hospital site are Grade II* listed. Councillor Helen Adkins welcomed the funding. "We will be able to preserve the legacy of the site and rescue these long-neglected historic buildings, offering them a sustainable future," she said. The project to transform the site is a collaborative effort between West Midlands Heritage and Warwick District Council to restore and convert the buildings that have been derelict for more than 50 years into affordable rented Brazier, chair of West Midlands Heritage, credited the work of her colleagues and support from the local community for reaching an "important delivery stage"."We are now able to ensure that St Michael's Place will have a very homely future," she part of the project a heritage community assistant role is to be created. There will also be opportunities to learn about heritage craft skills and a series of local community events and activities will be held. Follow BBC Coventry & Warwickshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
BBC News
01-07-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Former Hexham Workhouse from 19th Century up for sale
A 19th Century workhouse, which has been described as a "bit of a blot", is being former Hexham Workhouse on Corbridge Road, which dates back to 1839, served as housing for the destitute until 1939 before it was made part of the old Hexham Hospital. It has stood empty for more than a Landwood said the Northumberland property, which has an asking price of more than £800,000, should "generate plenty of interest". The site is being sold following the collapse of its previous owners the 79th Group, which fell into administration amid a fraud investigation by the City of London Police. The Southport-based company has denied any wrongdoing, the Local Democracy Reporting Service building is being sold by the company's administrators councillor Derek Kennedy said he hoped a new developer would be able to make the most of the historic said the building's lack of use had been a "bit of a blot for the town"."We had high hopes for the 79th Group – we met with them on a few occasions and they laid out their plans," he said."There was some interesting proposals for housing but they never came to fruition."He said a developer could make "something spectacular" with the site. "We do like developments that use old buildings," he said. Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
The Sun
27-06-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Fury as Britain's oldest cathedral to turn iconic landmark into an AIRBNB with locals slamming ‘outrageous' plans
PLANS to turn the entrance to Britain's oldest cathedral into an Airbnb have been branded as "outrageous". The entrance gateway to Canterbury Cathedral, one of the most photographed Christian landmarks of the country, could be converted into accommodation. 3 3 Christ Church Gate, which serves as the main entrance to the cathedral, was built in 1520. What the plans for the Airbnb involve Church authorities have proposed to transform its historic tower into an Airbnb, as an apartment with one bedroom, an open-plan kitchen and living room. Other features in the plans include a biofuel fire, breakfast bar, and two toilets. A Canterbury Cathedral spokesperson said: 'The best long-term way to care for our historic buildings, and ensure that they are maintained for future generations, is for them to be used and loved by residents and visitors. 'The rooms in the Gate remain unrefurbished and, in their current condition, are of limited use. 'As we consider how these rooms could be used, the Cathedral is working closely with historic building specialists, conservation architects and planners to bring them into use. 'This will help us continue our centuries-old practice of hospitality and welcome as we seek to serve the wider community, both here in Canterbury, and across the world. We are looking to share more information as plans unfold.' Purcell Architects is the company set to be involved in the transformation of the Cathedral, and submitted documents to the council. They said: 'It is clear from the layout and fixtures, including the large fireplaces and windows originally with shutters, that they were designed for domestic use." Move branded 'outrageous' This, however, has sparked controversy among the local community and Christians and seen as "the continued commercialisation of the Church". Chair of the Canterbury Society, Hilary Brian, said it was an "outrageous" idea and told KentOnline: 'The gate is such an important piece of Canterbury's history, and it should be preserved. 'It seems such a shame to see one of the city's biggest landmarks disregarded in this way.' Historic UK city undergoing huge multi-million revamp Dr Gavin Ashenden, who was the former chaplain to late Queen Elizabeth II, and has since converted to Catholicism, thinks the conversion plans come at no surprise. He pointed out: 'As The Church of have to go to ever increasing links to raise money. Ashenden was also a choral scholar at King's Canterbury, and added: 'To give credit where it is due, at least turning this famous cathedral gateway into an Airbnb doesn't involve the degree of blasphemy and irresponsibility that some of the other money making ventures like turning the cathedral into a nightclub involved. "Perhaps local residents should be grateful. "It's just Airbnb rather than a casino.' Other church transformations It is not the first time an historic cathedral has been "commercialised". In 2019, Southwark Cathedral had its nave used as a catwalk and to sell clothes by fashion designer Julien MacDonald. It was subsequently accused of promoting the "antithesis of the Christian Gospel". Norwich Cathedral was also criticised for "treating God like a tourist attraction" when it installed a 55-ft helter skelter in its nave. Airbnb and Canterbury Council have been contacted for comment.
Yahoo
17-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Meet one of the last elevator operators in NYC: ‘It feels good to know I have a rare job'
Nearly every New Yorker has to push a button and often wait some time for their automated elevator to arrive. Tony Sciallia, meanwhile, spends his days in a crisp gray uniform, pulling shut an accordion gate and manually transporting riders up and down on one of Manhattan's last remaining hand-operated elevators. He levels the cab with the precision of a surgeon, nods to the first tenant of the day and begins a shift that feels more like a ritual than a routine. At the 863 Park Ave. co-op near East 77th Street, where Sciallia, 44, has worked for a quarter century, progress moves slower — and that's exactly how the residents like it. 'It feels good to know I have a rare job,' he told The Post. 'There's that saying: anybody could do my job. But there's only one of them. And that's how you have to look at it.' Manual elevator operators were once the lifeblood of vertical living in New York City. In the mid-20th century, the census counted more than 90,000 elevator operators nationwide. But after the 1945 citywide elevator strike — when 15,000 operators brought New York to a halt — technological innovation and changing attitudes accelerated their decline. Today, the role is all but extinct. The city Department of Buildings estimates only about 50 hand-operated elevators remain across Manhattan, including a few in Brooklyn, mostly in older co-ops and historic hotels. In an age of automation, a human behind the wheel is a charming anachronism. 'We don't have computer systems. Just us,' he said. Sciallia's workplace overall is a charming remnant of the old New York. The 1908 building, designed by Pollard & Steinam in a restrained Beaux-Arts style, boasts limestone detailing and 23 units. It also has one home currently for sale — a three-bedroom with beamed ceilings and a renovated kitchen asking $2.5 million, represented by Compass — not to mention historically little turnover. 'It's a very cool feel. That old-world feel,' said Sciallia. 'It's a different era for them. They come from that era. They're very prim and proper,' he said of the homeowners who call the building their home, many of whom have done so for more than a half century. Sciallia, from The Bronx, was a student at SUNY Westchester Community College when he landed the job for the summer. 'A friend of mine recommended me … so I could make some extra money on the side. And it was perfect. I fit right in.' Decades later, he still takes the 5 a.m. train from Cortlandt Manor in Westchester, stops at Dunkin' Donuts for his usual — hot coffee, light cream and sugar — and transforms from commuter to concierge. He's only the fourth person to operate this elevator in more than a century. 'The guy I took his place [from] was there for 35 years. And the guy before that was there for 35 or 36 years, so he started in the 1950s,' Sciallia said. By 7:20 a.m., the co-op's lobby buzzes with dog walkers, schoolkids and residents heading to the office. And there's only one man to bring them around. 'I am the first one at the door in the morning,' he said. 'We do all the dry cleans, the pickups, the drop-offs we bring upstairs, we do the mail. We wear all the hats.' The elevator itself is a relic of another era — wood-paneled, brass-accented and manually operated by a rotary lever. It requires finesse. 'You have to level it yourself,' Sciallia said. 'There's a trick. The elevator does whatever you want it to do. That is the trick. So if you're playing around with it, messing around with it, the elevator will mess around.' When Sciallia recently began training newcomers (believe it: the building is in the process of hiring a new elevator operator) he gives them three tries to land it smoothly. 'You don't want the elevator to keep going up and down. Three shots — you're good,' he added. Over the years, Sciallia has seen more than what many see in a lifetime: blackouts, the onset of technology making online-order parcels arrive in mass amounts, as well as celebrity sightings. Brooke Shields once visited regularly to see a friend, always with ice cream in hand. But it's the relationships, not the surprises, that make the job meaningful. 'That is 2 or 3 minutes you have to build a relationship,' he said of passengers riding with him. 'You're not just an elevator operator. You play the psychiatrist role. You hear their issues, problems … you can read it on their faces.' Sciallia has watched children grow up, from stroller rides to driver's licenses. He's been the first person residents see in the morning, wishes them safe travels before they jet to the Hamptons and sometimes the last when they leave for good. 'There was an older lady, in her 80s, they wanted to put her in a home,' he said. 'And she goes, 'Tony, I don't want to go.' She just started crying and said 'I can't believe this will be my last time in the elevator.'' Sciallia added. 'She passed away like a year later.' Inside the cab, trust is currency. 'There are [residents] that have been there for over 50 years,' Sciallia added. 'You have to care about the people, their problems, their successes. A robot … won't care. We care.' It's a sentiment echoed by the building's residents, who have supported Sciallia through personal losses with letters and big bouquet of flowers when his parents passed away over the last few years. 'That was the biggest act of kindness,' he said. And as modernization goes, Sciallia knows the day will come that the lever is replaced by a button. 'I don't know how much longer I have,' he said. 'But when the time comes … I will miss the people the most. Nothing lasts forever.'
