This event concerns the restoration of a Norman Monastery and is organised by Corinne Fitzpatrick and Rob Harding. The Priory Church of St. James is a Grade I listed building and the oldest church in Bristol, founded in 1129 as a Benedictine Priory by Robert Earl of Gloucester. The nave survives from 1129 but the tower was added around 1374. A two-year £4 million restoration was completed in 2011.
Rob Harding is a retired Chartered Building Surveyor who formerly worked for English Heritage. He project-managed the work to St James Priory on a voluntary basis. Rob will outline the history of St James Priory from its foundation in c. 1129 to its post-World War II decline. He will speak about finding a new sustainable use for the building, assembling the funding and the delivery of the final project.
Corinne Fitzpatrick was the project architect for St James Priory Restoration Project. She will show how a rigorous philosophical approach should inform the decision-making process in conservation architecture, and will talk about the design challenges entailed in the alteration of listed buildings in a very constrained and sensitive setting. Corinne is an Associate at Ferguson Mann Architects in Bristol with over 20-years experience of working with historic buildings and structures both in London and throughout the south-west of England.
7.30pm St James Priory, Whitson Street, Bristol, BS1 3NZ. There is some parking space in the Priory Yard, then nearest car park is Rupert St. multistorey (£2.50 evenings).
Members £2 (voluntary) Non-members £6 Booking Not Required