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Three outstanding - and very different - survivors of Britain’s heritage have been short-listed for one of the prestigious Conservation Awards, the “Oscars” of the conservation world, which are supported by Sir Paul McCartney. Having made it through to the 21st century, their future has been safeguarded thanks to the expertise of British conservators. In addition the shortlists are announced for the Student of the Year Award and the Award for Care of Collections , the Anna Plowden Trust Award - featuring the work of some of the leading conservation scientists in the UK - and the Digital Preservation Award.
in pale golden silk has been meticulously conserved by The Scottish Conservation Studio and put on display in Perth Museum for the first time ever, together with a replica – for trying on – and a pair of matching breeches. Once an essential part of a fashionable man’s wardrobe, few garments of such quality have survived the centuries. This Scottish treasure was in the hands of the McBain Menzies family for many years and is thought to have come originally from the Stewarts of Killiecrankie, Perthshire.
An even earlier survival is made for Bess of Hardwick in 1579, now on show at Hardwick Hall, near Chesterfield. Reconstructing the Tobit table carpet was a labour of love for the National Trust’s textile conservators, who spent nearly 18 years removing earlier defective restorations, restoring it to its former size and revealing the glory of the original design with its riot of fruit, flowers, birds and animals. Now displayed at full length in a custom-built case, the carpet bears witness to the splendour of Elizabethan banqueting.
, the world’s first screw-propelled, iron-built passenger liner, rescued from the Falklands in 1970 and towed across the Atlantic to her “birthplace” at Bristol dry dock, has been transformed by the innovative application of conservation research and technology into a leading visitor attraction. By 1998, parts of the iron hull resembled lacework barely able to support the ship’s weight. The solution for this rampant corrosion was a giant climate-controlled chamber sealed by a glass “sea”, upon which the ship appears to be afloat, while allowing visitors on board via an airlock.
These three exceptional projects will compete to win the coveted Award for Conservation of £15,000, one of five Awards offered this year. This Award celebrates excellence in the conservation of the cultural heritage in the UK.
The Awards judges have visited all the shortlisted projects, including those competing for the other awards, and have chosen the winners . These will be announced at the British Museum on 27 September.
Details of the Digital Preservation Award short-list
Chair: Dame Liz Forgan Chair, Heritage Lottery Fund
George Ferguson Chairman, Acanthus Ferguson Mann Architects
Maev Kennedy Arts Correspondent, The Guardian
Gillian Lewis Formerly Head of Conservation, National Maritime Museum
Georgina Nayler Director, The Pilgrim Trust
Alice Rawsthorn Design Critic, International Herald Tribune
Ros Savill Director, Wallace Collection
Anna Southall Vice-Chair, Big Lottery Fund
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