Exciting new phase at Wellesbourne restoration site

For the past five years, volunteers have been working hard collecting and documenting items at Chedham’s Yard and, more recently, carried out an archeaological dig in preparation for building work to begin.

Now that the trust which runs the BBC Restoration and Heritage Lottery-funded project has received charitable status, work is ready to begin on restoring the 19th century site and building a visitor and education centre.

Trust chairman John McKenzie said: “We are now entering the most exciting phase of the project when we will be able to see tangible evidence on the ground of all the hard work that has gone into the planning.

“I would like to thank Wellesbourne parish council, the Heritage Lottery Fund and BBC Restoration, along with the Warwickshire Museum Service, the Friends of Chedham’s Yard and many others, for all their support since the project.”

Cannock-based Croft Building & Conservation will carry out the restoration work, while solicitor Kevin Mitchel from Leamington law firm Blythe Liggins has been appointed company secretary.

The project came to national attention when it won £250,000 of funding in a BBC Restoration Village competition in 2006, which helped it to secure a further £780,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Anne Jenkins, of the Heritage Lottery Fund, said: “Chedham’s Yard gives us a wonderful snapshot of working life in the 19th century which perfectly illustrates a fast disappearing but important part of our rural heritage.”