Sustainable woodcarving studio wins South Downs trophy in heritage awards
August 16, 2023
A sustainable studio space for a nationally-renowned woodcarver was the winner of the coveted South Downs Award for 2023.
The Woodcarvers Studio in Nyewood, West Sussex, was a worthy winner at the annual Sussex Heritage Trust Awards.
Professional artist and wood sculptor Alison Crowther was presented the award by Ian Phillips, in his last engagement as Vice-Chair of the National Park Authority.
The special award is sponsored by the National Park and our judging team said:
“A hugely well-crafted building sitting comfortably in the landscape, which has enhanced the area. The use is an exemplary economic activity for a rural location and demonstrates that the right type of use can have a positive impact on landscape both within and beyond the site boundaries when adopting a site-selection and design ethos that sits well with the purposes of the National Park.”
The South Downs National Park saw 15 Sussex Heritage Trust Award winners and six commendations across 10 categories, from residential schemes to public and community buildings to commercial projects. Each were presented a hand-crafted slate plaque by the Trust’s President Lord Egremont.
Award winners included: Grade I listed church St Michael and All Angels in Berwick; Seven Sisters Country Park including a new Visitor Centre and conversion of the Dairy Barn; the extension, restoration and reorder of a Grade II listed Charlton Court Farmhouse in Steyning and the restoration of a rare agricultural 19th-century Grade II listed The Byre, near Polegate. King Edward VII Estate, in Midhurst, achieved two awards for further improvements and extensions to the main ex-sanatorium building, as well as its walkways and courtyards.
The awards are sponsored by Irwin Mitchell, as the headline sponsor, alongside other well-known Sussex companies Gravetye Manor, Savills, Henry Adams, Valley Builders, Covers, Harvey’s Brewery, Lawson Commercial, Pilbeam Construction, RH and RW Clutton and Toovey’s Auctioneers.
For a full list of all the winners go to www.sussexheritagetrust.org.uk
Other winners included:
