Hanwell Station Wins Ealing Civic Society Award |
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Restoration of Grade II listed building praised by panel of judges
The Ealing Civic Society has awarded the recently restored Hanwell Station the top prize in its awards this year. The announcement was made at a ceremony at Open Ealing in Dickens Yard on the evening of Tuesday 26 October. A plaque and certificate was presented by Chris Griffin, CEO of the Museum of Brands to Peter Herridge, TfL Stations Enhancement Manager, and Edmund Bird, TfL Heritage Manager . The architects were Fereday Pollard. The station is a Grade II listed building dating from the 1870s, which has now been carefully refurbished, giving step free access, a new waiting room and general improvements to the area. Even the paints were matched to the old GWR colours. As a result the station has now been removed from Historic England’s Heritage at Risk Register. Crossrail, Network Rail and TfL worked together to create a station for the new Elizabeth Line trains which (it is hoped) will stop here from May 2022. The judges were also impressed by Ealing Fields High School which has seen the careful refurbishment of another Grade II listed building. In addition, they felt architects Bowmer + Kirkland have created new buildings with excellent modern facilities which are full of light and interesting detail. The school was given a commendation. The Ealing Civic Society said, “We are grateful to our judges: Harbinder Birdi, Anthony Ferguson and Gavin Leonard who visited our shortlist of 5 projects. Harbinder discussed each one in turn in his thoughtful presentation at the beginning of the evening. Following the award presentation, Chris Griffin introduced us to the Museum of Brands. It all began with a man called Robert Opie deciding to save his chocolate wrapper. Before long he had created a collection of packaging which has expanded into a museum in Notting Hill, which Tripadvisor now ranks as the 23rd most popular out of 243 museums in London. It is an ‘Aladdin’s cave of retro design and memories – the only museum of its kind in the whole world’. Chris’s talk provoked a large number of questions, after which we were able to celebrate the Award and the return of in person events with a glass of wine.” Peter Herridge said, “The renovation work at Hanwell station was a real collaborative effort between TfL, our operator MTR Elizabeth line, the Railway Heritage Trust, and the London Borough of Ealing. It has delivered not only step-free access, but vital new facilities that customers will benefit from for years to come. I am delighted that this achievement has been recognised by the Ealing Civic Society.” Since 1989 the Society has given awards to recognise and encourage building and environmental projects that make a noteworthy contribution to the community in the Borough of Ealing. Winners receive a certificate and an award winner may display a specially designed Society plaque. Among the shortlisted buildings this year were: 39 Kenilworth Road, W5 Ealing Civic Society Chairman, Ann Chapman, says she was delighted with the standard and variety of the entries, despite this year’s restrictions. She explained that the aim of the award was to promote and celebrate good design across all kinds of building and landscape. Full details may be seen at Ealing Civic Society's website.
November 11, 2021
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