Leek and Moorlands Historic Buildings Trust was established in 1995 to support the local conservation department in their efforts to secure the future of historic buildings in the Staffordshire Moorlands that were deemed to be ‘at risk’. The immediate problem was the Consall limekilns. Here the RSPB were struggling with the problem of how to stabilize and repair a large and economically unviable Listed Building in the centre of a nature reserve where both the building and the general public were at risk.
‘In the ensuing years the Trust worked quietly to support a range of projects related to listed buildings or objects within them that were deemed to be ‘at risk’ or required support to ensure their survival. This has included the commissioning of feasibility studies, the essential tool to bring the reality into focus for both the owners and the Local Authority. Studies produced for the Red Lion, Haregate Hall, Tean Hall and Cliffe Park Lodge: all resulted in action, with varying degrees of success in terms of long-term solutions. Completed projects have included the consolidation and restoration of Consall Limekilns, and the restoration of the chimes at St Edward’s Church, Leek.
Smaller projects have included a maintenance programme for milestones; involvement in the pilot project for Heritage England’s survey of Heritage at Risk; the production of a photographic record of Leek Conservation Area; and a review of the development areas proposed by the Local Authority to help minimize their impact on historic buildings and conservation areas.
The Trust is a not-for-profit organisation and a registered charity. It operates with between nine and twelve trustees and works with either in-house and external professionals to provide help and advice to groups or individuals in the Staffordshire Moorlands who share their love of its historic buildings. Its key role is to identify funding sources.
The Leek and Moorlands Historic Buildings Trust is one of over 250 Buildings Trusts scattered across the United Kingdom. Some cover building across a wide area, some were set up to rescue a single building, others like ourselves provide a local pressure group to act as general support for those who, like ourselves, care deeply about the long term future of historic buildings and the built environment.