Subscribe now for full access and no adverts
Blue plaque unveiled for Reverend Wilbert Awdry
Historic England has unveiled a National Blue Plaque honouring children’s author and creator of Thomas the Tank Engine, the Reverend Wilbert Awdry. The plaque is located at 30 Rodborough Avenue in Stroud, on the house to which Awdry retired. Its unveiling marks 80 years since the first of the classic Thomas & Friends books was released.
Commenting on the occasion, Awdry’s daughter Veronica Chambers said: ‘On behalf of the Awdry family, I am delighted that my father has been honoured with a National Blue Plaque from Historic England. Alongside his role as a parish priest, he was a lifelong, dedicated railway enthusiast and, by creating Thomas the Tank Engine and friends, he invented a magical, fictional world that has enchanted generations of children and adults across the world.’
Caring for the Castle of Old Wick
Specialist teams from Historic Environment Scotland (HES) have carried out a careful inspection of and minor repairs to the ruins of the Castle of Old Wick, a 14th-century tower that stands on a narrow headland overlooking the North Sea in Caithness.
Christa Gerdwilker, Team Leader for the High-Level Masonry Programme at HES, said: ‘By examining the stonework by hand, we can see exactly how the exposed fabric is performing. On this narrow headland above the North Sea, conditions change quickly, and access is challenging, so a close-up inspection is essential. The “Old Man of Wick” is a much-loved, much photographed landmark for locals and visitors alike, and this work helps us target conservation where it is needed most, and plan safe public access so people can continue to enjoy it.’ Now that the inspection and repairs are complete, HES is working towards safely reopening the site to visitors.
Heritage at Risk Register announced for 2025
On 6 November, Historic England announced its Heritage at Risk Register for 2025. Some notable sites have been saved and removed from the register in the past 12 months, including Bruce Grove Public Toilets in Tottenham, London, which have been converted into a café and community space, and the historic Papplewick Pumping Station near Nottingham (see CA 366 and CA 394). Those that have been added to the list include Hill Garden Pergola on Hampstead Heath in London, and the birthplace of vaccination, known as Dr Jenner’s Hut, in the Garden of the Chantry in Gloucestershire. In all, 138 sites have been added to the Heritage at Risk Register, while 129 sites have been saved. See http://www.historicengland.org.uk/listing/heritage-at-risk.
Text: Kathryn Krakowka / Photo: © David O’Neil/ANL/Shutterstock
