Ringwood Society gives design awards to owners of Orchard House, The Pour House and St Peter and St Paul’s Church

A GROUP that aims to protect the unique character of Ringwood’s architecture has given out awards to three property developers.

Ringwood Society members said they were “delighted” to present the gongs as part of this year’s Design and Conservation Awards.

Society committee member and deputy town mayor Rae Frederick gave the award for Best Residential Project to Emily and Joe Sturdy for Orchard House.

The couple’s work on the home was described as an “excellent example of a thoughtful and thorough restoration”.

Judges said “inappropriate paint and poor quality modifications have been removed” from the building and new timber sash windows have been installed.

On receiving the award, Emily said: “We are so proud of our new home. It’s been a long road to get it to where it is now. It’s been great uncovering some of its old features and adding some new things too. We are excited for our future at Orchard House and glad we’ve been able to revive it.”

The society’s award for Best Commercial Project went to The Pour House for the restoration and reopening of Ringwood Social Club. Award judges said the club closed in 2011 but has now been returned to its former glory after “12 years of hard work”.

The judges said the work is a “testament to the determination and drive” of Tina Saddington and Helen Homewood. Tina picked up the award alongside Simon Jeanes, with Helen adding: “It was a wonderful surprise to be a recipient and to have the committee’s hard work and dedication recognised.

“We hope that The Pour House goes on to be a long-standing integral part of the wonderful community that makes up Ringwood.”

The restoration of St Peter and St Paul’s Church’s southern window won the society’s Best Community Project award – with Jacqueline Brown and Roger Dewar from the Ringwood Benefice and Emma Mullen of St Ann’s Gate Architects picking up the accolade.

Emma said “The urgent need to make the south elevation structurally sound and watertight provided an exciting and rare opportunity as church architect, to design a new window.

“The contemporary and simple design sought to enhance that which it replaced; introducing coloured glass and motifs inspired by the New Forest, whilst working within a traditional diamond leaded matrix. It was a pleasure to work with the parish church and the experts at Salisbury Cathedral Stained Glass and Colin Avery stonemasons on the successful delivery of this project.”