LEDBURY’S FUTURE THROUGH ITS PAST

LEDBURY’S FUTURE THROUGH ITS PAST

Achievements

We are proud of what the Society has achieved over the years. Here are a few of our most notable achievements.

The re-siting of Butcher Row House, a sixteenth century timber-framed house. In 1979, we oversaw its disassembling and its re-assembling on its current site in Church Lane.

The preservation and restoration of Rutherglen, a complex of buildings including an early eighteenth century house which now has Grade II* listed status, in Church Lane. We did this by pressing Ledbury Rural District Council into holding a public inquiry into the Council’s plan to demolish the buildings, something which resulted in the plans being abandoned.

The placement of plaques at the entrances of 24 of the alleyways that separated the burgage plots from the High Street and Homend. (You can read an explanation of a burgage plot on the History of Burgage Hall page.) You can purchase a booklet on these and other historical features at the Butcher Row House Museum.

The provision of aid grants for conservation projects such as St Michael and All Angels Church, the sixteenth century frescoes in the Painted Room on Church Lane and the preservation of brickwork on the approach to the railway station.

Contributions to schemes such as the community bus scheme, hospital improvements and the repair of local churches.

The publication of the Millennium Album in 2000. The album commemorated festivals, events, education, businesses, services, sport, building and local scenery and copies were given to the County Records Office, Ledbury Library and the Society. The Society’s copy is on display in Butcher Row House Museum.

The publication of “Ledbury – A Medieval Borough” and other books by Joe Hillaby and other local historians.

The publication of the Ledbury Heritage Trail, a map which guides residents and visitors around Ledbury’s historic sites.

We have also funded projects such as:

  • “Welcome to Ledbury” signs on the approach roads
  • cast iron litter bins in the town
  • benches and gates to the Walled Garden
  •  the oak notice board by St Katherine’s Hall
  • repairs to St Katherine’s Barn
  • flagpoles by the War Memorial on the High Street
  • restoration of the Scout Hut
  • benches in the High Street.