Merchant's House wins RICS SW Award!

http://www.merchants-house.co.uk/

I was mid rant about something else when I read the wonderful news, so this is a short blog this afternoon to say congratulations to Republic Follower Jon on the marvellous, and well-deserved, win at the RICS SW Awards, for his long time repair project on the II* listed Merchant's House, Shepton Mallet.

The South West’s most innovative building projects were once again celebrated at the 5th annual South West final of the RICS Awards during May. From a shortlist of 36 finalists, awards were presented for the best projects in four categories - building conservation, community benefit, regeneration and sustainability, as well as the Project of the Year. Now in their 19th year, the RICS Awards are widely acknowledged as an annual celebration of built and natural environment projects that demonstrate true excellence and commitment to value for money and sustainability. The five winners on the night were: * Clavell Tower, Wareham won the building conservation category* Knowle West Media Centre, Bristol won in the community benefit category* Princesshay, Exeter was the winner in the regeneration category* Swindon Central Library received the award for sustainability* Merchants House, Shepton Mallet won the Project of the Year award.

Details here:

http://www.rics.org/Networks/Regions/UK/England/SouthWest/ricsawardssw_n_200509.html

As I said in an earlier blog:

I hear that Jon Maine has finally completed the long time repair of the Merchant's House in Shepton Mallet, and Family Maine spent Christmas there. Such good news, a most beautiful and important Grade II* building rescued from dereliction; I leave the website to fill in the background, but I gather Jon is open to offers to come along and work his magic on your own home.

His recent Open Day, with guest Kevin McCloud off the telly, raised a substantial sum of money for the local hospice. Brilliant!

James Gregory, RICS South West Regional Chair comments: “These awards are hotly contested each year and 2009 saw a particularly strong entry from across the region. We now wish them all the very best of luck for the next stage of the competition which will be the grand final to be held in London in October.”

Back later with the rant!

Nem