Second award for Combermere Abbey

Another Award Won for Abbey's Restoration Project

Another prestigious Restoration Award for Combermere Abbey's North Wing has been presented to Sarah Callander Beckett, owner of Combermere Abbey and her husband, Peter.
The 'Restoration of a Georgian Country House Award' from The Georgian Group was announced at RIBA (Royal Institute British Architects) in London on November 3rd. The celebratory evening was hosted by Chairman of this year's judging panel, heritage expert and TV personality, Loyd Grossman. The President of the Group, The Duke of Buccleuch and Queensbury was also in attendance.

David McKinstry, Secretary of The Georgian Group, commented:
Our Architectural Awards recognise exemplary conservation and restoration projects in the United Kingdom and reward those who have shown the vision and commitment to restore Georgian buildings and designed landscapes. Awards are also given for high-quality new buildings in Georgian contexts and in the Classical tradition. We were delighted to award Combermere Abbey the Award for Restoration of a Country House. The transformation of the building has been remarkable and is testament to the dedication and hard work of the owners and those they engaged in the project.

This is the second Restoration Award won by Sarah Callander Beckett and her husband Peter, since the completion of the £2m project earlier this year – the first was the HHA/Sotheby's 'Restoration of the Year Award', which was announced in July.
The whole restoration project has been in progress for over 20 years, with the final 2 year phase, the restoration of the Abbey's North Wing completed this summer. This wing will provide a luxurious boutique B&B, as well as bridal accommodation, to complement the estate's existing wedding venue and tourism business. Ancillary buildings have also been restored, including a Grade II* game larder which is thought to date from the 19th century with a grant from the Country Houses Foundation. Most of the restoration funds were raised from an enabling development scheme.

Sarah Callander Beckett, owner of Combermere Abbey, commented:
"We are delighted to have won this second prestigious award for our Restoration project. The restoring of our wonderful home has been my mission since inheriting it in 1992, and it has taken my family and me on an extraordinary journey over the past 24 years. It has not been a project for the faint hearted but the tremendous support and encouragement that we have enjoyed, and the superb craftsmanship and specialist restorers employed, has been wonderful to watch unfold, leading to the successful renaissance of this superb Grade One building, one of very few which are still privately owned."

For further information, please contact Heather in the estate office on 01948 662880.
www.combermereabbey.co.uk
Combermere Abbey, Whitchurch, Shropshire, SY13 4 AJ

Image ' Left to right ' Loyd Grossman; Sarah Callander Beckett and His Grace The Duke of Buccleuch and Queensbury.

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