How are Bates Weston and South Wingfield Station linked? Stuart Hulland, Partner at Bates Weston explains:
“When we were approached by Derbyshire Historic Buildings Trust in May of last year, we were delighted to be able to support the renovation of the not-for-profit redevelopment and restoration of Wingfield Station. We operate from an 1830’s silk mill on Canal Street in Derby, so heritage buildings are in our blood.”
Wingfield Station was originally opened in May 1840 and the project aimed to reinstate it as it would have been back then, but with a viable economic future as commercial office space.
The restoration team discovered a hidden 3m granite set roadway in the station yard, and along its 150m length, they planned to place bollards representing the original stations on the line between Derby and Leeds. This line originally facilitated the development of the north Derbyshire and South Yorkshire coalfields and by 1845 coal from George Stephenson’s own Clay Cross colliery was the first to arrive in London by rail, passing through Wingfield Station. Wingfield station is the only original station along the Derby-Leeds line to survive.
Bates Weston were asked to sponsor the bollard representing Belper station, which we were delighted to do.
We were given the opportunity to view the station before its launch to the public at the weekend and were struck by the evident passion for the project demonstrated by all those involved. Peter Milner, project manager for the Derbyshire Historic Buildings Trust gave heart felt thanks to the many specialist teams involved, and thanked the National Lottery Heritage Fund in particular for their support.
The restoration has not only preserved this important building, but delving into its past uncovered the people, their stories and the community of which it was part.
Peter Milner comments:
“It’s been a case of continually linking the significance of the building and its history and also revealing some wonderful stories along the way.”
“Wingfield Station was at the forefront of the pioneer era of train travel. It’s the only surviving railway station from the era on the line, and its significance in railway history is of international importance. With a huge amount of support from the local community, grant funders including The National Lottery Heritage Fund and the craftsmen themselves, we’ve been able to save this building. We think that’s something worth celebrating.”
For more details of the activities on offer at Wingfield Station, please visit the Derbyshire Historic Buildings Trust website.
