Roof Conservation and Garden Tours at West Dean College

On Tuesday 21st June, Sussex Heritage Trust friends and supporters spent a glorious afternoon at West Dean College.

As guests of the Trustees of The Edward James Foundation and Chief Executive, Alex Barron, we enjoyed a private tour of the roof conservation project and gardens.  Chairman, Simon Knight DL, was delighted to welcome the new High Sheriff of West Sussex and his wife, Mr James and Mrs Sara Whitmore.

In 2020, West Dean College received a Sussex Heritage Trust Award for the roof conservation project.  The restoration of the 130-year-old roof on the Grade II* listed building, central to delivery of the College’s courses, was recognised by the Award judges as a “superb restoration of an historic building using appropriate traditional materials, with excellent detailing and craftsmanship.”  Guests heard from architect, Jane Jones-Warner from Jane Jones-Warner Associates and Frank Clarke (pictured with Simon Knight) from Clarke Roofing Southern about the project and the challenges they faced in ensuring the future of this important building.

The gardens at West Dean have also won multiple Sussex Heritage Trust Awards and are widely regarded as one of the greatest restored gardens open to the public today.  Guests had an exclusive tour with head gardener, Tom Brown, to see the walled kitchen garden and the thirteen working Victorian glasshouses.

For further images from the event please visit our instagram page.