Headline-grabbing limewash church tower wins award

A 15th Century church tower in the Yorkshire Dales that attracted national headlines for its opinion-splitting makeover has won a national award.

Views were divided about the stark white colour of the limewash rendering on the tower of St Oswald's Church, Askrigg, when repairs were unveiled in March.

Some locals described it as "an abomination" and a "hideous eyesore", but others defended the look and said it had made the building more of a landmark.

The work has been honoured by the Ecclesiastical Architects and Surveyors Association (EASA), which awarded the church the "King of Prussia Gold Medal" at the group's annual meeting in London.

The medal is awarded for "innovative, high-quality church conservation or repair work", according to the EASA.

The project, one of six finalists celebrated at the ceremony last week, was commended for a "strong solution to a long-standing problem" and for its use of traditional lime render.

The team behind the work received the award from Prince Nicholas von Preussen, patron of the EASA and descendant of King Friedrich Wilhelm IV of Prussia.

The project was carried out to resolve damp in the church and the tower, with the issue previously causing mould and decay.

Informed by research and consultation with Historic England, the solution was a traditional construction technique of using a lime coating to combat moisture.

This method was further supported by research revealing an original lime coat had been removed in 1853, the team said.

The project received support from the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, the Diocese of Leeds and Askrigg Parish Council.

Local residents said the national publicity had caused an increase in visitors to the village over the summer and autumn, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

North Yorkshire councillor Yvonne Peacock praised the quality of the work and said it was well-deserving of an award.

"The workmanship on the tower is unbelievable, it really is," she said.

"I know there's been some controversy over it, but it's starting to blend in better.

"I think it's a credit to the church that they've been recognised for the work."

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