St Oswald’s Church, Askrigg: Award for work on Yorkshire Dales church that attracted national headlines
Work on a Yorkshire Dales church tower that attracted national headlines for its distinctive appearance has won an award.
Opinion was divided on the colour of the limewash rendering on the 15th century tower of St Oswald’s Church, in Askrigg, when the repairs were revealed in March last year.
While some locals described it as “an abomination” and a “hideous eyesore”, others defended the render and said it made the building more of a landmark.
The work has certainly caught the eye of the judges at the Ecclesiastical Architects and Surveyors Association (EASA) who awarded the church the King of Prussia Gold Medal at the group’s annual meeting in London last week.
The medal is awarded for innovative, high-quality church conservation or repair. The project was one of six finalists celebrated at the ceremony.
The judging panel commended the Askrigg project on a strong solution to a long-standing problem and for its use of traditional lime render.
The team behind the work was represented at the awards by architect Andrew Boyce, from Donald Insall Associates; Will Hague, mason and foreman from Matthias Garn & Partners, and Reverend Dave Clark, Stephanie Durrant and MaryRose Kearney, from the church.
The group received the award from Prince Nicholas von Preussen, the patron of the EASA, a descendant of King Friedrich Wilhelm IV of Prussia, who gifted it in 1857.
The project was undertaken to resolve the problem of damp in the church and the tower, which was causing mould and decay.
Informed by research and consultation with Historic England, the solution was to use the traditional construction technique of lime coating to combat the moisture penetration.
This method was further supported by research that revealed that an original lime coat had been removed in 1853.
The project received support from the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, the Diocese of Leeds and Askrigg Parish Council.
When the work was unveiled after being behind sheeting over winter, it was featured in numerous national and local newspapers, and on the television news.
Local residents said this had drawn many visitors to the church and village over the summer and autumn.
Upper Dales councillor Yvonne Peacock praised the quality of the work and said it was well-deserving of an award.
“The workmanship on the tower is unbelievable — It really is,” she said. “I know there’s been some controversy over it, but it’s starting to blend in better.
“I think that it’s a credit to the church that they’ve been recognised for the work.”
The tower was rededicated during a special celebration, attended by the Right Reverend Anna Eltringham, Bishop of Ripon and over 200 villagers and invited guests.
Grant funding was provided for the work from the National Churches Trust, the Wolfson Fabric Repair Fund, the Headley Trust, the Yorkshire Dales National Park Sustainable Development Fund, the Elm House Trust and the Benefact Trust, as well as numerous individuals.