On Friday 4th November 2022, Selby Civic Society hosted its Good Design Awards for 2022 at Wetherells Department store, with Mayor Wendy Nichols and Civic Society members as guests.
Chair of the Selby Civic Society, Michael Dyson, introduced proceedings and explained how important it was to enhance our buildings to maintain Selby’s heritage. A main aim of the Selby Civic Society is to encourage high standards of architecture, town planning and design and the Good Design Award very much fits with this aim.
Angela Lambert-Dowell, Committee Member reminded everyone how important it is to celebrate and congratulate all those who have put a special effort into enhancing buildings, both new builds and renovations, and those who have helped to make our town a better place for all. She explained that nominations had been received for 9 buildings. The Committee of the Civic Society met and using a Criteria looking at the Quality of Design, how well the building fitted in to the rest of the townscape, how appropriate the materials used were, and the quality of the workmanship, they had managed to put 5 buildings through to the voting stage. After voting there was one clear winner and 4 buildings were awarded ‘Highly Commended.’
Details of the winners:
24 Finkle Street– Financial Options and J P Harll Estate Agency – Highly Commended – The Civic Society awarded this as it is now a well designed and traditionally proportioned shop front which is smart and fits very well with the rest of the street. The materials and workmanship are of high quality and the added detail of the clock is very striking.
Selby Abbey North Porch Gates – Selby Abbey and Simmonsheriff Architects – Highly Commended – The Civic Society felt that this was a very beautiful design which elegantly echoed the stone detail of the archway behind it. It showed very good craftsmanship and use of appropriate materials and had a very practical use as well.
Park House, 6 The Crescent Selby – Rose Xu – Highly Commended – The Society felt that this had been a building in urgent need of renovation and repair and one which holds a key position opposite the Abbey. Quality materials had been used and excellent workmanship. The renovation had been very accurate for the building, being a Georgian town house and it now looks very beautiful within the streetscape.
The Former Natwest building on the Crescent – The Crescent Dental & Implant Centre – Highly Commended – The Society felt that this was an excellent repurpose of a key building again opposite the Abbey. A great deal of work had been required on the inside of the building, it is now very smart, matches well with its surroundings and the quality of the work carried out was high.
21-23 Brook Street – Mack & Lawler Builders and DWA Architects – Overall Winner of the Good Design Award – The Society felt that this was a building that had been spoiling the area and was really beyond repair. The committee were impressed by how the design of the new building echoed the original building even down to the small touches such as the stone sills and window shape. This therefore meant that the new building fitted into the rest of the street very well. The quality of workmanship was excellent, with good materials. It had made a dramatic improvement to the streetscape and was of high value to the community with many people living there.
If Selby’s historic streetscape and heritage are important to you, then you might consider coming along to one of our meetings. The Society is a community organisation which aims to care for the beauty, history and character of the town and its surroundings. By joining the Society you can help make Selby a more attractive town and new members are always welcome. A regular events programme is held and more details can be found on www.selbycivicsociety.org.uk and on Facebook and Twitter.