Wellesbourne’s heritage wheelwright’s yard set for TV Restoration boost.
Just weeks after they had formed a ‘Friends of Chedham’s Yard’ support group it looks like the village’s hidden historic gem might have struck gold. Chedham’s yard has been chosen to be one of only 3 sites in the Midlands area to be filmed for the next series of the BBC’s popular programme, Restoration.
Across the UK, thousands of historic buildings are in danger of being lost to the nation forever. The third series of the successful BBC programme is returning with Gryff Rhys Jones fronting yet again.
Each programme focuses on three endangered properties in one area. The Midlands area stretches from Shropshire to the East Anglian coast. Viewers vote for the building they would most like to see restored. Each of the regional winners goes forward to the Live Final, and a chance to win a substantial sum and professional help from the Heritage Lottery Fund.
The last series was won by the charming medieval Grammar School, Kings Norton in the heart of Birmingham. Chedham’s Yard is a complete time capsule of a working past a bit nearer to our time.
The Chedham’s family wheelwright and blacksmith business started in the 19th century and only stopped when young Bill Chedham locked the door in the 1970’s. Untouched until a few years ago, it remains one of only a few complete examples of the wheelwright’s craft and a testament to our working lives from not so long ago.
David Close the chair of the parish council said,
“We are thrilled to be even considered for the programme. The support group and villagers have been the drivers of keeping this fabulous place from careless destruction and development. The parish council are fully behind the efforts to keep this place alive.”
Chair of the support group Charlie Gilbert adds,
“We want to conserve some of the magic of the place and open it for all generations to understand what village life was like before the motor car. There is a lot of interest in the revival of rural crafts and we would love to be part of helping a new generation learn the skills of old through our Yard.”
The Friends group were busy preparing for an exhibition of photographs and artefacts from the yard when the news came through from the BBC. They are now hoping the good news will attract even more visitors to see how they are doing. The exhibition will be held on Friday 28th April from 2pm – 5pm and Saturday 29th April from 10am – 4pm at the Methodist Hall, Bridge Street, Wellesbourne. Along with some stunning photographs by local photographers, there will also be historical photographs and maps, the restored bellows, the restored child’s toy cart and a demonstration wheel made by a professional wheelwright with timber from the Yard.
Refreshments will be available and activities for children so come along and see what all the BBC excitement is about!