St Botolph's wins at RIBA South East Awards
Works to save ancient St Botolph’s church in Botolphs, near Steyning in West Sussex, have been awarded a regional and a conservation special award at the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) South East Awards, it has been announced.
St Botolph’s is now in the care of The Churches Conservation Trust, which funded the work, and the Sussex church can trace its history back to 950AD, with a tower and chancel added in the mid-13th century. The church is dedicated to St Botolph, the patron saint of wayfarers and attracts many visitors walking the South Downs Way, which crosses the River Adur nearby.
Project architect Nicola Westbury collected the award, which recognises vital works to fabric of the building, including the renewal of the Horsham stone and clay tile roofs.
Crispin Truman, Chief Executive of The Churches Conservation Trust said: “It is fantastic news that our work to save the historic St Botolph’s has been recognised in this way. This is a great example of the expert repair and conservation work which the CCT does around the country, working closely with local people.
“I’m delighted that the RIBA judges agree that saving a 1,000 year old church for the benefit of visitors and the community is up there in the architecture stakes with designing modern housing and public buildings; architect Nicola Westbury and the whole team have done a wonderful job.
“Botolph’s is a gem of a church, sitting in a beautiful setting against a backdrop of rolling chalk downland beside the South Downs Way and the River Adur. I encourage all architecture-lovers to take the time to visit this award-winning little church this summer. ”
Architect Nicola Westbury said: “I am delighted that the recent repair works at St Botolph’s Church have been awarded RIBA regional and conservation awards. I am pleased that this project has been recognised as an exemplar of so much of the historic buildings conservation work that is commissioned by The Churches Conservation Trust.
“The RIBA awards are also a testament to the collaborative working of the whole project team. The judges seem to have recognised that everyone involved worked towards the same end to enable the continued use of St Botolph’s. I appreciate also that work at this church has been made easier by the continuing support of the local community exemplified by the large turnout at the reopening event in December last year. This gives every hope for an excellent future for St Botolph’s.”