## **Hertfordshire Buildin Preservation Trust g**
_Front cover of the book published to celebrate the diamond jubilee of HBPT and the pearl jubilee of BEAMS_
**1963 2023**
## **CELEBRATING 60 YEARS OF:**
- preserving buildings of architectural and historic importance
- helping to rescue buildings at risk
- organising talks, exhibitions and visits
- providing learning and outreach programmes for young people
- managing two heritage museums and a medieval hall
Hertfordshire Building Preservation Trust The Castle, Hertford SG14 1HR
Telephone 01992 504331 (option 1) E-mail: enquiries@hertfordshirebpt.org Website: www.hertfordshirebpt.org Twitter - @HBPTrust Facebook - www.facebook.com/HertfordshireBPT Registered Charity No: 232686
**President:**
**The Countess of Verulam CVO**
## _**Front cover:**_
_left, Cromer Windmill, (photo courtesy of Merlin Flying Cameras) right, inside Place House Hall_
## **PART ONE**
|**PART ONE**||
|---|---|
|Notice of Annual General Meeting|4|
|Directors and Officials of the HBPT|5|
|Supporters of the HBPT - Subscribers and Local Authorities|6|
|Chairman’s Report|7|
|Peter Ruffles|9|
|Cromer Windmill Report|10|
|Much Hadham Forge Museum Report|12|
|Place House Report|14|
|Managing Agent’s Report|15|
|Learning and Outreach Report|16|
|How You Can Support HBPT|16|
|Historic Buildings at Risk|17|
|BEAMS Ltd Report|20|
|Lives Remembered|22|
|HBPT and BEAMS’ Photo Album|23|
## **PART TWO**
_Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31st March 2023_
_1 - 19_
Hertfordshire Building Preservation Trust Annual Report & Financial Statements 2022 / 2023
## **PART ONE**
**Hertfordshire Building Preservation Trust Limited** _**Registered Office: The Castle Hertford Herts SG14 1HR Tel: 01992 504331 (option 1) Email: enquiries@hertfordshirebpt.org**_
## **NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING**
_Notice is hereby given that the Annual General Meeting of the above company will be held on_
## **6.30pm on Thursday 9th November 2023** _at_ **PLACE HOUSE HALL, WARE**
_for the purposes of_ :
- **1** RECEIVING THE CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
- **2** APPROVING THE REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND THE UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
- **3** ELECTING THE DIRECTORS
- **4** APPOINTING INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS
## **R A JAMESON**
_Company Secretary_
**After the meeting Luke Wormald, Head of East Region and Infrastructure at Historic England will give a talk.**
_Then light refreshments will be served_
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Hertfordshire Building Preservation Trust Annual Report & Financial Statements 2022 / 2023
## **OFFICIALS OF THE HBPT**
## **CHAIRMAN**
Miss Dorothy Abel Smith MBE
**COMPANY SECRETARY AND HON LEGAL ADVISER** Mr Robert Jameson Attwaters Jameson Hill
## **HEAD OF CONSERVATION BEAMS Ltd**
Ms Emma Lauze
## **MANAGING AGENT**
Katherine E C Dace RD BSc FRICS Williamson Dace Brown Property Consultants
## **MUCH HADHAM FORGE MUSEUM CURATOR** Miss Cristina Harrison
## **LOCAL AUTHORITIES**
**Broxbourne Borough Council Dacorum Borough Council East Herts Council Hertsmere Borough Council North Herts District Council St Albans City & District Council Three Rivers District Council Watford Borough Council**
## **INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS**
Menzies LLP
## **CHAIRMAN BEAMS Ltd**
Mr Richard Threlfall
## **INDEPENDENT BOOKKEEPER**
Ms Dariel Lines
## **BANKERS**
National Westminster Bank PLC and
Handelsbanken GB
## **HON CROMER WINDMILL CUSTODIANS**
Mr Andrew Rixon, Mr Ben Freeman & Mr Alan Hickman
## **Represented by:**
Cllr Gordon Nicholson Vacancy
Cllr Steven Watson
Cllr Rebecca Challice
Cllr David Levett Cllr Ed Moore Cllr Jon Tankard Cllr Peter Jeffree
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Hertfordshire Building Preservation Trust Annual Report & Financial Statements 2022 / 2023
## **The HBPT is grateful for support from the following:**
## **CORPORATE SUBSCRIBERS**
Between Time Conservation Builders
Bluecoat Yard Residents Association
McMullen and Sons
## **COUNCIL & SOCIETY SUBSCRIBERS**
Bayford Parish Council
St Albans & Herts Architectural & Archaeological Society Ware Town Council
Chorleywood Parish Council
Royston and District Local History Society
Woodhall Charitable Trust
## **INDIVIDUAL SUBSCRIBERS**
Mr D S Allard Cllr Mrs P Ballam Mr J Cartledge Mr & Mrs G Clark Mr P Clark Mrs F Dimsdale Mr T Emmott Ms L M Foster Mr I Frearson Mrs H Gibson Mr D Godfrey-Evans Mr Peter Hayes Dr M Hemming
Mr A Sangster Mr & Mrs J K Strowger Mr R H Threlfall Mr G Tite Mr R Tite Mr N Tufton Mr J M Watson Ms F Weal & Mr S Walkington Mr & Mrs R Williams Mrs S A Windmill Mr J Wing
Mrs M Henn Mr E James Mrs P King Mr D Laing Mr & Mrs M A Lavis Mr R Linard Dr J Longmore Mr A Oliver Mr J Pepper Mr R S C Phillips Mrs J Pitman Mr M Prosser Mr A Rixon
## **THE HBPT WOULD LIKE TO THANK ITS MEMBERS FOR THEIR CONTINUING SUPPORT**
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Hertfordshire Building Preservation Trust Annual Report & Financial Statements 2022 / 2023
## **CHAIRMAN’S REPORT**
## 2023 we celebrate the HBPT’s 60 years and BEAMS’s 30 years!
This is an important milestone for any small organisation to have survived all these years and for the gratification of knowing that so many buildings in the county have been rescued from decay and demolition. Without the HBPT’s intervention they could have been lost for ever. This is due to the way that Directors, Staff and Volunteers and all who have supported the HBPT in the past and continue to do so. They have ensured that the administration and financial affairs continue well. However careful budgeting has been the alarming cost of maintenance, insurance and salaries are a serious cause for concern. The upkeep of the HBPT’s own properties is a prime objective.
The 2022 Annual General Meeting took place on November 10[th] at Place House, Ware. This was followed with a talk by the Welwyn Architect Francesca Weal.
_2022 AGM - left to right: Cllr Rishi Fernando, Mayor of Ware; Cllr Rosemary Bolton, Deputy Mayor of Hertford; Dorothy Abel Smith, HBPT Chairman; Annie Brewster, Chairman of Hertfordshire County Council; Cllr Susan Barber, Mayor of Hertford; Andrew Rixon, Hon Custodian, Cromer Windmill_
Full reports from each department are included in this Annual Report but I would like to thank everyone who has cared for and supported the HBPT and BEAMS Ltd this last year.
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Hertfordshire Building Preservation Trust Annual Report & Financial Statements 2022 / 2023
First the Directors - Richard Threlfall, Vice Chairman of HBPT, Chairman of BEAMS Ltd and long-standing architectural advisor. John Nicholls, long standing Director, Richard Thake who represents Hertfordshire County Council. Tim Bell has long experience of investment funding for charities. Jeremy English has assisted at Much Hadham Forge Museum with regular safely inspections. Imran Tunio has represented the HBPT on the Place House Management Committee.
Cromer Windmill, the last remaining post mill in the county continued well but constantly requires maintenance work. Honorary Custodians are Andrew Rixon, Ben Freeman with Alan Hickman who remains as Honorary Treasurer. They are ably supported by volunteers without whom the Mill could not open.
Cristina Harrison, resident Curator at Much Hadham Forge Museum with a small number of volunteers have worked with determination to publicise the museum with an Annual Exhibition and events and to fundraise for the proposed new Museum Store. The Forge first established in 1811 is leased to Richard Maynard, Artist Blacksmith.
Place House Hall has had a successful year with regular and ad hoc hirings and private events. This is due to Anne Haworth who has worked tirelessly to encourage new hirers and to seek income. A licence was granted to hold Civil Marriage Ceremonies which we hope will become popular.
Anne has been the HBPT’s Administrator at Hertford Castle for twenty years. She is the sole member of staff there and carries out an immense amount of work for the general administration of the HBPT and BEAMS Ltd and is central to the computerised financial system.
BEAMS Ltd suffered badly during Covid-19 but has now picked up with new enquiries and more work coming in. This is encouraging for Emma Lauze as Head of Conservation who is ably assisted by Helen Cal-Fernandez. Surplus income from BEAMS Ltd provided vital funding for HBPT. Statutory Conservation Advice was given to some local authorities and ad hoc work to others in Hertfordshire and beyond.
Williamson Dace Brown has been the HBPT’s Managing Agent since 2004. In difficult circumstances they have carried out general administration and maintenance of the HBPT’s portfolio of buildings but always mindful of the cost. I would like to thank Mrs Katherine Dace as Senior Partner and her staff for their professional approach and who value the nature of old listed buildings. The HBPT owns five buildings which between them incorporate nineteen areas to care for.
I must thank Robert Jameson, Honorary Company Secretary since the early
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Hertfordshire Building Preservation Trust Annual Report & Financial Statements 2022 / 2023
1980s for his constant support and advice. For some years he was a Volunteer Guide at Cromer Windmill.
Dariel Lines, the Independent Bookkeeper who ably took on the role following Duncan Brand’s death in 2019 and Mrs Angel Watt’s retirement in 2022. All of us who work with her are grateful for her patience and understanding of the HBPT’s finances. The accountants Menzies LLP (formerly Wagstaffs) were the Independent Examiners for the Annual Accounts.
I would like to acknowledge the support that Local Authorities give. The majority of councils nominate an elected councillor to represent them on HBPT ltd and have the sole voting rights at Annual General Meetings.
Council, Corporate, Individual and Society Subscribers play an important role through their subscriptions, donations, legacies and practical help throughout the year. Each year I repeat my thanks for their friendship, good humour and determination.
We face an unknown future but the HBPT has survived highs and lows for 60 years so we must remain confident and assist wherever we can to preserve Hertfordshire’s fragile heritage.
## **Dorothy Abel Smith, Chairman**
**Peter Ruffles MBE** (pictured on page 25) has been a supporter of the HBPT since 1972. A true champion of Heritage and was, from 1976, appointed by East Herts Council to represent them on HBPT Ltd until 2023. Hertfordshire born and bred, he has served as a County Councillor, East Herts Councillor and a Hertford Town Councillor. Affectionally known as ‘Mr Hertford’ his knowledge and love of Hertford is immense. He always came well prepared to the HBPT’s Company meetings and sought out listed buildings within the local authority for action or addition to the Buildings At Risk Register. He has photographed, written and lectured on Hertford’s long history.
He has been involved at Cromer Windmill as a Volunteer Guide since the early 1990s and still continues. Peter and I have known one another from early childhood and our paths have happily crossed many times over the years.
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Hertfordshire Building Preservation Trust Annual Report & Financial Statements 2022 / 2023
## **CROMER WINDMILL REPORT**
Cromer Windmill had a successful year this year, which saw the sails repainted. Sadly, the mill looked rather scruffy when first opened as the previous painting has not weathered well, but the year ended with the sails looking fine and fresh, but the buck really could do with a fresh coat of paint and does contrast with the sails.
Before the mill opened to the public, on Sunday 19th March, Mothering Sunday, there was a special visit by the Mayor of Hertford, Councillor Sue Barber, with her family, two Ardeley councillors and Dorothy Abel Smith, the HBPT's chairman. Several volunteers came, including family members and two potential new volunteers. Ben Freeman brought his two little boys with him, giving some representation from the youngest generation, in their case two very keen young millers. Being on top of the hill the mill is probably the coldest place in the parish of Ardeley, but there was no rain so the party were able to enjoy being at the mill and seeing its workings. As it was still wintry a hot drink was made available to stave off the cold. A good time was had by all, and the exercise generated some publicity for the mill, with an article in the Hertfordshire Mercury. (pictured page 25)
During this visit it was obvious that the sails were the most urgent task, and ideally it would have been done before opening, but this was not possible. The contract was agreed and awarded to Ricky Nevel, who has done work for HBPT before. Unfortunately, due to work commitments and a problem with his health leading to his not being able to drive for a time, it had to be postponed until August. As the work was done during the week it did not interfere with the visitors, but he had to store his equipment in the area used to show the visitors a video. This really made no difference as we just did not refer to the video and visitors were able to explore the mill as usual and have the usual tour. First the team had to clean the sails. They took the shutters down to be cleaned separately and used a pressure washer to clean the accumulated grime and algae from the sails themselves. Fortunately, Mike Birch, who lives by the mill, let them use his outside tap as there is no water at the mill. To get to the sails they used a cherry picker, which had to be brought onto the site.
They finished the job at the end of August, including lubricating the striking gear, and Robin Webb was able to report that they had done a very good job. As a result, September visitors were able to see the mill with fresh, gleaming sails, and the volunteers could turn the sails for them and operate the striking gear.
We managed to get some nicer folding chairs for the visitors to use when watching the video, and in September the lighting was replaced, and it is now much more satisfactory, and indeed safer, as the former halogen lights tended to trip the fuses and tended to get very hot. However, the buck still looks rather shabby, with paint beginning to flake off in places, and we really need to
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Hertfordshire Building Preservation Trust Annual Report & Financial Statements 2022 / 2023
_Cromer Windmill grade II*_
consider repainting it next year. We may also have to consider security, possibly with an outside light, as some children climbed over the fence, breaking a rung, and threw a brown Cromer Windmill road sign into the grounds, but they did not get into the mill itself.
The windmill is closed now, but during the year there were 240 adult visitors and 87 children. There were two special visits, a group of girl guides from Letchworth staying at the Cottered Guide Centre came just after the mill opened, and there was also an evening visit by the Buntingford Railway & Local History Society
## **Andrew Rixon, Honorary Custodian**
Thank you to our marvellous team of Guides:
## **Mike Bishop, Jeremy Ewen, Lorna Ewen, Ben Freeman, Alan Hickman, Derek Martindale, Ian Prosser, Andrew Rixon, Peter Ruffles, Robin Webb Ken Weeks, Peter Williamson**
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Hertfordshire Building Preservation Trust Annual Report & Financial Statements 2022 / 2023
## **MUCH HADHAM FORGE MUSEUM**
Due to a short season in 2021, we decided to keep our exhibition _“Why Paint a Wall?”_ on display in the Jean Page Room. The exhibition explored the wider family story of the Newces, whose family arms feature in the C 16[th] wall paintings within Forge House. We are delighted that academics are starting to request free hi-res images of the paintings for their research and publications, and they feature in a new book “ _Tudor Liveliness_ ” by Dr. Christina Faraday.
During the summer term, we hosted three work experience students from local schools, who helped us to create an online survey to find out the views of local people about the museum and its collections. Having recently been donated some wonderful cross-stitch pictures featuring houses in the village, the students used them to create a Summer Trail, sponsored by Great Hadham Golf Club. The winners enjoyed a round of golf and lunch for four.
We celebrated the late Queen’s Jubilee with an art activity attended by twenty four local children to make Jubilee Jigsaws (pictures opposite). This year also saw the return of Busy Weeks at the start of the school holidays; the museum hosted three pottery painting workshops with forty eight children attending. There was something for the adults too as our popular wreath-making workshops made a sold-out return. We welcomed Santa for the annual Grotto and introduced a mini Christmas market with six local crafts selling and gaining commissions.
The new year brought amazing news as we were selected by UCAN Uttlesford to partner with a Corporate volunteer team from the Procurement and Capital Development teams at MAGS@Stansted. They spent four days at the museum, splitting the time between two teams of four people. They have re-fitted our shop wall, redecorated inside the annual exhibition gallery and tea-room and even painted the outside of the building too! (pictured page 24)
Work continued across the year to develop a new Forward Plan for the museum, to conserve the collections, refresh the displays and develop the current exhibition _“Hadham Towers and the Extraordinary Doll family”_ , showing until 10[th] December 2023. The Curator has been helped by several new volunteers who attend on Fridays and weekends to help. We are extremely grateful to Keith
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Hertfordshire Building Preservation Trust Annual Report & Financial Statements 2022 / 2023
Hutley, Christine Clayton, and youth volunteer Will Jeffries who chose to stay on after completing his Duke of Edinburgh volunteer placement. To help the museum implement future plans and fundraise for a new artefact store, please donate at https://bit.ly/MuseumGift
Email: hadham.museum@btinternet.com Answerphone: 01279 843301
Mobile: 07483 113345 Website: www.hadhammuseum.org.uk
Twitter / Facebook / Instagram / TikTok / YouTube / Threads: @HadhamMuseum
## **Cristina Harrison, Curator**
_Jeshua with his complex jigsaw design_
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Hertfordshire Building Preservation Trust Annual Report & Financial Statements 2022 / 2023
## **PLACE HOUSE REPORT**
**The Hall** - the big news this year is that the hall has been licenced for civil wedding ceremonies (pictured page 23). We hope that couples will take advantage of this for their special day.
Regular hirers continue to use the hall for bridge, yoga, craft, U3A groups, meditation etc and one off hires for children’s parties, family get togethers, christening receptions are very popular
**The Garden** - the Trust is very happy to have taken on the Mudlarks Gardening Team to help with the garden
## **Heritage Open Days**
**Sunday 10th September -** saw our first Heritage Open Day for children; the hall was set out as it might have looked when it was Christ’s Hospital School and there were lots of activities for children to enjoy e.g. dressing up in Tudor costumes, learning about life as a Bluecoat School child, designing a coat of arms, making a horn book etc. We thank Ware Museum for bringing costumes and household items for children to look at (pictured page 23)
_Dorothy Abel Smith giving a talk on the history of Place House at Heritage Open Day_
**Sunday 17th September 2023 -** the hall was open for visitors to explore the history of Place House through information panels, a slide show and a talk by Dorothy Abel Smith
**Place House Management Company Ltd** - Directors of PHMC are the lessees of Place House; HBPT’s current representative is Director Imran Tunio. The company manages the communal areas of the building and has been arranging the repair and repointing of the chimney stacks.
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Hertfordshire Building Preservation Trust Annual Report & Financial Statements 2022 / 2023
## **MANAGING AGENT’S REPORT**
The biggest issue we have faced this year is the significant increase in the cost of gas and electricity. The residential element of the HBPT’s portfolio is not constructed to modern day standards, with cavity walls and double-glazed units. Unfortunately, also being listed means that although we have replaced rotten timber windows in the Blacksmiths Cottage and in 10 Castle Cottages, we were constrained to replace them with single glazed units. This winter has been particularly hard and long so the tenants have had to balance keeping the properties warm as well as ventilated. As a consequence, condensation has been a significant issue. Additional loft insulation has been installed where possible but the cottages in Much Hadham have ceilings which are part of the roof space. Major roof works have been carried out at Castle Cottages to repoint the chimney stacks and make minor repairs to the roof. Vents have also been installed to improve air circulation in order to try reduce condensation.
Cromer Windmill has had major redecoration works to the sails this year as part of a three-year redecoration and repair programme. All of this work has been over seen by Robin Webb to whom we are very grateful for his close attention and counsel.
At Dewhurst St Mary, we are pleased to report no further dry rot outbreaks to the Dining Hall.
In Much Hadham, this has been a year of consolidation for the cottages. Renewal of the windows to the front of Blacksmiths Cottage is complete and as noted above sadly, the units are still single glazed but have much improved noise transmission from the road. A new combination boiler has been installed in Horseshoe Cottage thus removing the water tank in the loft and reducing the possibility in future of frozen/burst pipes as did occur during this winter. I am grateful to Cristina Harrison, the museum’s curator and Jeremy English for their assistance in running the Museum building and ensuring that all the alarm systems are regularly checked.
As ever this has been an expensive year maintaining the buildings for the HBPT and no end is in sight. External decoration is required to Much Hadham Cottages, Castle Cottages, Dewhurst St Mary and the next phase of the painting to Cromer Windmill.
Whilst it is vital that these buildings are preserved for the future it is also necessary to continue to maintain them in good condition in order to ensure that the best possible rents can be achieved.
We very much look forward to another year acting on behalf of the HBPT undertaking the ongoing management and conservation of these valued properties.
## **Katherine E C Dace, RD BSc FRICS**
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Hertfordshire Building Preservation Trust Annual Report & Financial Statements 2022 / 2023
## **LEARNING AND OUTREACH**
## **Digital Newsletter - Spring**
Following the success of introducing a digital newsletter last year HBPT made the decision to continue in this format and stop printing a newsletter; this saves the HBPT money, is environmentally friendly and enables a greater content with useful links.
**Free Online Lecture ‘Royals, Rebels & Aristocrats: the pleasure and the pain of writing about Britain's 'blue-blooded' families’ on Wednesday 1st March at 7.30pm** (picture on page 24)
The HBPT’s third online lecture was very successful and was well attended. Jane Dismore FRHistS gave a fascinating talk
## **HOW YOU CAN SUPPORT THE HBPT**
## **A Gift in Your Will**
As a registered charity, the HBPT relies now, more than ever on the support of individuals. One of the ways that you can help to ensure that the HBPT continues its work for future generations is by supporting it with a gift in your will. Anyone can include a gift in their will, however large or small, all legacies are gratefully received and will be put to good use.
_A gift in your will to the HBPT can prove extremely tax-efficient. The HBPT has full charitable status; gifts made in this special way are not subject to inheritance tax. Your will is one of the most important documents you will ever make so the Trust recommends that you seek the advice of a solicitor._
## **Volunteer**
## **Much Hadham Forge Museum**
The MHFM is always looking for volunteers to assist the Curator with a variety of jobs at this small but dynamic museum.
## **Mill Guide, Cromer Windmill**
If you can spare just two or three afternoons during the summer, help bring the mill to life for its visitors by becoming a Mill Guide.
## **Place House Hall, Ware**
## Help at our events
## **Fundraise for the HBPT**
If you have ideas of your own on how to raise funds for the HBPT we would love to hear them
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Hertfordshire Building Preservation Trust Annual Report & Financial Statements 2022 / 2023
## **Historic Buildings at Risk**
The HBPT and BEAMS, supported by District Councils, hold registers of buildings that are in urgent need of attention. If you require further information on any issues please contact the appropriate Planning or Conservation Departments through their switchboards
|Departments through their switchboards||
|---|---|
|Broxbourne Borough Council (BBC)|01992 785555|
|Dacorum Borough Council (DBC)|01442 228583|
|East Hertfordshire Council (EHC)|01279 655261|
|Hertsmere Borough Council (HBC)|02082 072277|
|North Hertfordshire District Council (NHDC)|01462 474000|
|St Albans City & District Council (SAC&DC)|01727 866100|
|Stevenage Borough Council (SBC)|01438 242242|
|Three Rivers District Council (TRDC)|01923 776611|
|Watford Borough Council (WBC)|01923 226400|
|Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council (WHBC)|01707 357000|
## **HISTORIC ENGLAND**
For further information on Buildings at Risk go to:
## **https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/what-is-designation/**
## **BUILDING AT RISK REPORT**
The HBPT and BEAMS continue to monitor buildings that are at risk or require a new use and income. We aim to gather information from around the county and BEAMS can offer conservation advice as appropriate.
The majority of local authorities are members of HBPT Ltd and can report issues to Directors at the twice-yearly Company Meetings. This is a useful forum for recording progress (or often lack of) rescue and restoration work.
Planning laws forbid the demolition of listed buildings as a result many old buildings have remained but others have unfortunately slipped through the net. Historic England publishes an Annual Risk Register of Grade I and Grade II* buildings, historic parks and gardens. Several in the county are long term and remain unresolved.
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Hertfordshire Building Preservation Trust Annual Report & Financial Statements 2022 / 2023
## **Hertfordshire’s Buildings At Risk include:**
**Broxbourne Borough Council:** Grade II* Clay Barn, Theobalds Park Farm, House, Long Barn and land, Cheshunt are owned by an American Company Sunset Studios Ltd. Planning permission was granted for use as major film studios. HBPT provided photographic images for their condition reports.
**East Herts Council:** Grade II 1850’s ruined Orangery and with the former Stables in Panshanger Park, Hertford (Tarmac) await plans for a use within the Country Park. The Grade II* Humphry Repton park is on Historic England’s At Risk Register. Plans for an Art Hub at Hertford’s former British Schools are progressing (HCC owned). Grade II Mayor Ashley Webb’s 1937 Summerhouse in the grounds of Hertford Castle and the Norman Motte Grade I have been included in a scheme to enhance the grounds. Grade II 24-26 St Andrew Street, Hertford remain vacant and in poor condition but has received Planning Permission for restoration. The future of the early 18th century Briggens House (pictured below) near Ware Grade II is uncertain but traces of Charles Bridgeman’s landscape park remain and is listed on Historic England’s At Risk Register. Grade II Olives Farm barns formerly part of Briggens Estate are in a poor state (City & Country owned). Old Church of St Mary and All Hallows, Thundridge Grade II* (Diocese of St. Albans)- a local Action Group (TOCAG) was formed in 2019 to secure a future for the ruined remains and talks have progressed with Historic England and the Diocese of St. Albans
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Briggens House Hotel grade II in 1988
**----- End of picture text -----**
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Hertfordshire Building Preservation Trust Annual Report & Financial Statements 2022 / 2023
**Hertsmere Borough Council:** Grade II Delrow Cottage, Bushey (private owner) at risk from c 1997.
**North Herts Council:** Buildings at Risk include Grade II Barn at Clothallbury near Baldock; Grade II the West Tithe Barn, Pirton; ruins of Grade II* St Etheldeda’s Church, Chesfield and the ruined Grade II Minsden Chapel, St Ippolis. Three Gables, Pirton; Whitehall Farm, Luffenhall Grade II; Node Court, Codicote following extensive fire damage; Threshing Barn at Highover Farm, Hitchin Grade II*; East & West Barns, Friends Green Farm, Weston Grade II*
**St. Albans and District Council:** Old Parkbury House, Colney Street (Tarmac), Grade II originally 15 ~~[th]~~ /16 ~~[th]~~ century remains boarded up. Registered at risk in 1993.
**Three Rivers District Council:** Grade II* late 14th[h] century Croxley Great Barn (St. Joan of Arc School) remains at risk despite remedial works in recent years including SPAB volunteers. Its location prevents regular access or commercial use. Other buildings have included an inappropriate extension to a Grade II cottage near Rickmansworth; a 16[th] c Grade II house in Rickmansworth where excess flooding has damaged the fabric; Oxley Hall near Bushey Grade II* (Affinity Water) water damage caused by lack of maintenance of a timber framed building.
**Watford Borough Council:** Little Cassiobury (HCC) Grade II* - essential repairs were carried out by the Borough Council and returned to HCC. The HCC plans to sell but the Friends Group remain concerned for its long-term future use. Kytes House, Watford Place and 97 High Street each Grade II may become buildings at risk.
We are always glad to learn of buildings no longer at Risk. The Peach House at the Node, Codicote has been fully restored. The Dovecote at Wymondley Bury, Little Wymondley is out of danger.
132 Piccotts End Cottage, north of Hemel Hempstead Grade I (private owners) has rare 15th century wall paintings. The cottage is hopefully no longer at risk but is open for visits. For details contact info@piccottsendpaintings.uk
**Dorothy Abel Smith Chairman**
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Hertfordshire Building Preservation Trust Annual Report & Financial Statements 2022 / 2023
Since the annual report of 2021-2022, BEAMS has had its first truly post pandemic year. The staff have now settled into hybrid working with a regular office day on Tuesdays. The workflow has been consistent and the resources needed such as HALS (Hertfordshire Archives and Libraries Service) are maintaining reliable hours and service. This has made for an easier year all round. In the circumstances, BEAMS was able to turn a much larger profit than the previous financial year which we are all delighted by. This was mainly achieved by taking on more local authority work at the expense of private work. Dacorum Borough Council has rolled _Window detail of Yeomanry House_ over its initial year-long _28, St Andrews Street, Hertford grade II*_ contract, and we are currently
providing three days per week of consultancy work. We were also asked to provide conservation advice for the London Borough of Hillingdon, when their conservation officer moved on, which commenced in December 2022 on a two days per week basis. We continue to provide conservation advice to the Borough Councils of Stevenage, Luton and Slough on an ad hoc basis. The advice provided has been on statutory casework, as well as work on enforcement cases, appeals and conservation area appraisals (in particular Long Marston in the northwest of Hertfordshire)
Due to the amount of local authority work that BEAMS has taken on, the capacity for private work has been significantly reduced. We continue to provide Heritage Statements for proposals to listed buildings or within their setting, to assist the planning process albeit a reduced number. Some interesting cases have
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Hertfordshire Building Preservation Trust Annual Report & Financial Statements 2022 / 2023
been Hole Farmhouse, Albury; 28 St Andrews Street, Hertford, (pictured page 25) St Edmund’s College, Ware and Kingswood Primary School in London.
BEAMS continues with a small staff of two people. Emma Lauze, who has taken on the work for Dacorum and Hillingdon full-time and Helen Cal Fernandez works two days a week for Stevenage, Luton and Slough. Initially at the beginning of the year the Heritage Statement work was shared but this is now undertaken by Helen exclusively, due to Emma working full time on local authority work. Charlotte Threlfall continued to assist two hours per week with sorting out the BEAMS papers and more recently the HBPTs papers. Having completed her A’levels she is now beginning an apprenticeship and we wish her well with all her future endeavours and thank her for all her hard work.
Richard Threlfall continues as Chairman of the Board, and we are grateful for all his advice and encouragement throughout the year. BEAMS is also hugely grateful for the invaluable administrative support provided by Anne Haworth and the financial advice and guidance of Dariel Lines.
## **Ms Emma Lauze Head of Conservation**
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St Edmund’s College, Standon
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Hertfordshire Building Preservation Trust Annual Report & Financial Statements 2022 / 2023
> Hertfordshire Building Preservation Trust Annual Report & Financial Statements 2022 / 2023 **PART TWO**
## **LIVES REMEMBERED**
Just ten years ago the HBPT was celebrating 50 years and BEAMS Ltd 20 years. Much has gone on since. Covid- 19 prevented the opening of Much Hadham Forge Museum, Place House Hall and Cromer Windmill so vital income was lost. BEAMS Ltd suffered too with lack of business. We can report that normality has returned but funds remain in short supply.
REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER:00783226 (England and Wales) REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER :232686
We have mourned the loss of three of the HBPT’s greatest supporters who have passed away. Over the years their roles within the Trust have helped shape what we do now.
**Robert Dimsdale** (d May 2019) a Director then appointed Chairman from 19851995. He remained a Director until finally retiring in 2005.
He was from an old Hertfordshire family and was greatly respected within the county which gave him opportunities to take an interest in the built heritage. It was he who suggested I should to join the Trust, first as a Director then Chairman. I accompanied him on many occasions to inspect Buildings at Risk with an attempt to find long term solutions. Some of which remain unresolved or even lost. He wrote in the 1993 Jubilee History there was good reason to celebrate the first 30 years and the formation of BEAMS Ltd. He looked forward to new challenges.
**Russ Craig** (d December 2019) formed BEAMS Ltd in 1993. He was Head of Hertfordshire County Council’s Design and Conservation Unit.
In 1989 the Unit closed and seconded its services to the HBPT with Russ continuing as head. A business plan was drawn up to meet the changing economic and conservation needs and a plan to establish a trading arm. Thus it was in 1993 BEAMS Ltd was incorporated as a Company. When at the HCC, Russ was the sole Conservation Officer for the county. He knew or worked on large numbers of projects including the restoration of Place House, Ware with the HBPT in 1975-1978. Russ skilfully guided the fledging BEAMS to work alongside local authorities, developers and individuals with help and advice for the best practice in conservation and design. His dogged determination and enthusiasm was infectious and I valued his knowledge and friendship to the end. His Northern Irish charm saw him through the many complex issues that arose.
**Duncan Brand** (d July 2019) a Director and Finance Advisor and Honorary Treasurer to the Trust from 2005 until his untimely death. He came from a sound financial background in the Construction Industry. He tackled the Trust’s and BEAMS’ finances with vigour and professionalism and was always ready to help and advise. He found it difficult to master technology but always worked hard to improve the Trust’s balance sheets. He had great charm and got on well with the majority of people. We admired his good sense and tact in dealings with organisations like banks, Companies House and Charity Commission. We were so fortunate that he chose to join the HBPT on his retirement.
**We owe an immense gratitude to Robert, Russ and Duncan for their dedicated work for HBPT and BEAMS Ltd. They are remembered with admiration and respect.**
**Dorothy Abel Smith, Chairman**
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Hertfordshire Building Preservation Trust Annual Report & Financial Statements 2022 / 2023
Hertfordshire Building Preservation Trust Annual Report & Financial Statements 2022 / 2023
_Grade II* 12a Market Place Saffron Walden, subject of a BEAMS Heritage Statement_
_Yeomanry House 28, St Andrews Street, Hertford grade II*, subject of a BEAMS Heritage Statement_
## **THE HBPT & BEAMS’ PHOTO ALBUM 2022/2023**
_Heritage Open Day at Place House Hall Tudor costumes and household items from Ware Museum_
_Place House Hall set up for a wedding courtesy of Sioned Rogers Events_
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Hertfordshire Building Preservation Trust Annual Report & Financial Statements 2022 / 2023
Hertfordshire Building Preservation Trust Annual Report & Financial Statements 2022 / 2023
_Much Hadham Forge Museum - MAGS@Stansted team help repaint the museum tea room and shop_
_Grade I listed Belton House - featured in ‘Royals, Rebels & Aristocrats: the pleasure and the pain of writing about Britain's 'blue-blooded' families’_
_Ben Freeman, The Mayor of Hertford, Dorothy Abel Smith, Alan Hickman and visitors at the mill, March 2023_
_Peter Ruffles is a long time volunteer guide at Cromer Windmill and supporter of the Trust_
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