Passing on the message

[vicky whitworth]

Hello, I live in a small village and a lot of people have been interested in the building work we have had done to our cottage and why we have used traditional methods. I was thinking about how I could encourage more people in the village down that route as it's sad to see so many of the old cottages modernised. Many in our village are elderly and their properties unspoilt but, sadly, as they pass on, those that buy the cottages are less sympathetic. We currently have about half a dozen untouched properties up for sale (I wish I could buy them all!).

A neighbouring village has included some ideas in their village plan showing local window designs, wall construction, that sort of thing. We are in the processes of compiling a village plan here too and that might be the place to put out some information. I was thinking about producing a small booklet of advice including some pictures of our best village properties and what gives them their character. I also thought of producing a leaflet of a walk round the village discussing the architecture and the building methods, and making that available in the village shop.

I wondered if anyone else had attempted something similar or could offer any ideas. I don't want people in the village to feel nagged. But I do feel that some advice would be welcome by many. Your thoughts?

 

[Flyfisher]

What a wonderful idea. I realise there will always be some people who like the idea of an old property but will still insist on modernising it to within an inch of its life, but I'm equally sure many people simply don't know much about the more traditional methods and materials and the damage that inappropriate mixtures can cause to their home.

Regarding the 'historic walk', this might give you some inspiration: http://www.walsham-le-willows.org/maps/walking/historictrail
Lots of other interesting village history on their website as well.

 

[Carol]

A really good idea! We have a very active Buildings preservation trust which try to do something similar in our small town but find funding very challenging. They are a treasure trove of ideas when we have had work to do and decisions to make. Our local CO is very pro active and helps move things in the right direction, but is often faced with opposition on grounds of cost or difficulty.

Things are getting better in some areas, our council send out a quarterly magazine to all listed homes praising good work and explaining the best traditional methods and even run lime courses using community buildings as guinea pigs.

I think a walk or trail is a brilliant idea, stars for the lime and oak and slurry spreaders for the upvc and cement.

 

[LadyArowana]

We currently have about half a dozen untouched properties up for sale (I wish I could buy them all!).

If you can tell when they get sold then maybe you could introduce yourself to the new owners before they decide what work they want to do. If you catch them early on and extend a helping hand then it might be greatly appreciated and you could steer them in the right direction. Some agents websites update when properties go under offer or sold, so it would be easy to bookmark them and check occasionally. Good luck with everything, it's great that you are willing to make the effort.

 

[Penners]

More power to your elbow, Vicky. An excellent project!

Only one small concern - do you think that making the booklet available in the village shop is "pro-active" enough? I wonder whether it would stand a better chance of being read by the great majority of newcomers if it was posted through the letterbox when they move in.

If you dressed it up with a bit more "welcome to the village" information (buses, playgroups, shops, leisure info, etc.), and presented the architectural advice under the guise of a "look at the beautiful old buildings in this village" feature, you might be able to drop a heavy hint without the risk of being seen overtly to proselytise.

You might even by able to sell advertising space to fund it.

 

[vicky whitworth]

Thanks to you all for your wonderful suggestions. I've been inspired. You're right - pop it through letterboxes would be much better than the village shop who are lovely people but have just installed plastic windows in their adjacent house. Thank you.