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View of Berwick at the mouth of the
Tweed
Berwick
Walls
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Click on any of
the thumbnails below to get an enlarged version of the project together with an
explanation. The projects run from left to right and are in chronological order
dating from 1972 to 2001. Please use the arrows at either end of the bar
below to scroll to see more projects.
12-13 Quay Walls
1972 - 1973 5 Quay Walls
1975 to 1976 The Lion House
1975 - 1976 30 Ravensdowne
1977 - 1979 41-42 Bridge Street
1989-1991 The Quayside Lookout
1997 - 1998
These Quay Wall properties were built in 1825 and leased to H M Customs who used them as a custom house for the Port of Berwick. In 1917, they became private houses but by 1971 they were empty, boarded up and falling down.
This task took alot of work but the rewards were ample compensation.. Importantly to the local people and town was the fact that the ruins on the Quay Wall, which had been a conspicuous blight on the face of the town, had been restored, brought back into use and integrated once again into Berwick's unique heritage. This building dates back to 1770 and was deemed an important Grade Two listed property. By 1972 this building was in a state of total disrepair. The property was donated to the trust through the generosity of the late Lt Col Collingwood. This was completely rebuilt by the trust and renamed Collingwood House. It achieved a Civic Trust Commendation in 1978.
The Lion House is an early nineteenth century house which occupies a prominent position on the Elizabeth Walls. This building has a particular significance to Lowry in that he is purported to have looked into buying this property. By 1971 as you can see it stood neglected and forlorn and there was a danger that it might have to be pulled down. The house was purchased and presented to the trust for restoration in 1972 by the late Col Jim Smail, the Trust’s Chairman for twenty three years. This project was not actually carried out by the trust but through the generosity of three local businessmen – Tom and Robert Gladstone and Jim Mulhern. 30 Ravensdowne was originally built in the 1790’s as a pair of cottages associated with two adjoining icehouses. As details from 1978 state – it occupies an important site in a street of fine houses, with the Lions Gardens and the Elizabethan Town Walls behind. The cottages and gardens were purchased by the trust in October 1977 and the conversion was completed in 1979. In 1982 the trust purchased and restored number 25 Palace Street the former home of Berwick’s principal shipbuilder, Arthur Byram. This as per all the other projects had been in a state of total disrepair and was lovingly restored by the trust to its former glory. This has been the trusts most ambitious project to date and was originally built in the late 18th century as a granary. The trust acquired the property in 1986 when it was totally derelict with both the walls and the roof having collapsed in various places. This building was successfully converted to nine flats and offices and completed in 1988. It was the success of the 3 Quay Walls project that involved the trust in their next venture – the restoration of the two shops and flats at 41 & 42 Bridge Street. These two properties back onto the rear of 3 Quay Walls and were at the time of their acquisition - as all the previous projects in a perilous state which detracted from the work carried out by the trust. So these were purchased in 1989 and successfully restored with their original style shop fronts by 1991. Shoe Lane was acquired in 1993 on generous terms from its owners the Mosgrove family. It had been an old shoe factory but was now redundant and derelict. This property was converted into three flats - but just as important this development created a new walk way from Eastern Lane to Bridge Street - hence the name Shoe Lane. It received a commendation in the Civic Trust awards of 1995. The trust acquired the derelict public convenience now known as the Quayside Lookout in 1997 from the Borough Council. These had been redundant for some thirty years and were in a state of total disrepair. Being in such a prominent position attached to the old bridge and looking out over the Quayside the trust felt they were an important project to carry out. This building has been converted into highly unusual office accommodation - with the added advantage of the roof now providing access to the public as a lookout from were they can survey the river and all the magnificent buildings on the Quay Walls. The Lookout received a mention in the Civic Trust awards of 1999. Lowry’s seat as it is known locally is a beach shelter down behind the pier and one that achieved fame because of L.S.Lowry’s painting ‘On the Sands’ 1959. This project came about because of the hue and cry from the citizens of Berwick and Lowry fans nationally, when this Landmark was to be demolished in 1998. The success of this project is the culmination of a coalition of local societies, public bodies and companies. The Preservation Trust played the lead role, but with the help of the County Council, the Countryside Agency, the Town Council, the Sir James Knott Trust, the Civic Society and local business support with regard to providing materials – including Jewsons, M & W Engineering, M.T.Richardson Builders, Tweedside Timber and our architect Thomas Stewart.
12-13 Quay Walls
1972 - 1973
These Quay Wall properties were built in 1825 and leased to H M Customs who used them as a custom house for the Port of Berwick. In 1917, they became private houses but by 1971 they were empty, boarded up and falling down.
This task took alot of work but the rewards were ample compensation.. Importantly to the local people and town was the fact that the ruins on the Quay Wall, which had been a conspicuous blight on the face of the town, had been restored, brought back into use and integrated once again into Berwick's unique heritage.
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