It seems fitting therefore that, in this record breaking year, we present the Awards at Lancing College Chapel, which has won multiple Awards over the years. The Trust would particularly like to thank Lancing College and the Friends of Lancing College Chapel, for welcoming us today.
Most importantly this continued success would not be possible without the support of all our sponsors. This year we have welcomed NFU Mutual Chichester and Horsham as sponsor of our hand carved slate plaques which are designed to adorn the winning projects, and also Kreston Reeves who are co-sponsoring The Eco Award this year, with Ernest Kleinwort Charitable Trust. Launched last year, I am delighted that this important category has received 33 entries in 2024.
St Michael and All Angels Church in Berwick was the winner of the inaugural Eco Award and the venue for our launch, which was sponsored by Toovey’s Antique & Fine Art Auctioneers & Valuers. We were delighted to welcome 100 guests in early March, including the Lord Lieutenant of East Sussex, Andrew Blackman alongside many of our friends and supporters.
Due to the number of entries, we have also had to increase the number of judges and it has been wonderful to see so much new talent join our knowledgeable and committed teams. My thanks to all who entered the Awards, working tirelessly to protect the heritage of Sussex and to the judges who do so much to make the Awards such a success.
These last twelve months has been busier than ever, and it is hard to summarise in a few short paragraphs. We have had very special visits to the restoration work at Wakehurst Place with thanks to our friends at DBR Southern; a garden tour with head gardener Tom Coward at Gravetye Manor; and a visit to Petworth House Gardens with our President, Lord Egremont and Lady Egremont. Later in 2024 we will host a lunch at Bentley Manor, with a lecture on leading 20th-century classical architect, Raymond Erith by his daughter and biographer, Lucy Archer. These fundraising events do so much to raise money for our important work.
At the beginning of June we launched our pilot scheme to encourage young people into the construction and building conservation sector.
