Southend’s oldest building wins new award

Prittlewell Priory museum – Southend’s oldest continuously occupied building – has just won an award for looking to the future.

The recently-renovated 900-year-old Grade 1 listed building in Priory Park, Southend, clinched Silver in the building conservation project category of the prestigious Green Apple Awards.

These sought-after awards are presented to recognise, reward and promote environmental best practice around the world.

Prittlewell Priory museum achieved the accolade following the historic building’s successful and environmentally-friendly £1.9million restoration project which began in July 2011.

This was funded by the Heritage Lottery fund, Cory Environmental, Friends of Southend Museum, and Southend-on-Sea Borough Council.

The Council’s Executive Councillor for Culture and Tourism, Councillor Derek Jarvis said: “We are very pleased to receive this honour which recognises the continual efforts made throughout the project, to focus on sustainability.

“While the restoration and re-exhibiting of the Priory was our priority, we have also done our utmost to create a green museum.

 “This meant meeting sustainable criteria wherever possible in all elements of the restoration, exhibition and future running of the site

 “For instance, we installed low carbon technology in the modern Visitor Centre to act as a battery pack for all services in the Grade 1 listed building. 

“Such technology would not be acceptable to be used directly in such a historic building on a scheduled ancient monument site

“The majority of materials have been re-used or supplied from local environmentally-acceptable sources. Some even came from the original 11th century source – such as oak from the locally-managed woodland.

“The vast majority of tradesmen on site were local and helped train apprentice stonemasons and joiners in historic restoration to pass on these increasingly rare skills.

“Exhibition contractors were selected on strict sustainability and environmental criteria which included: Good environmental and carbon management policies and certification.

“We hope all these elements, together with the engaging way history can now re-told at Prittlewell Priory, will help it continue to be a hugely popular destination for our residents and visitors for very many years into the future.”