Firm wins buildings deal
A Staffordshire firm has won a £3.9 million construction contract to transform two historic buildings at the site of one of the oldest grammar schools in the Midlands. A Staffordshire firm has won a £3.9 million construction contract to transform two historic buildings at the site of one of the oldest grammar schools in the Midlands. Linford Group of Lichfield will restore a timber-framed Tudor house in Kings Norton, Birmingham, known as the Old Grammar School. It has fallen into decay and is on English Heritage's "at risk" register. The Saracen's Head, which shares the same site with a 12th century church, was built by a rich wool merchant in 1492 but later became an inn. The Saracen's Head has highly decorative medieval workmanship, sophisticated building techniques and it is believed the wife of Charles I, Queen Henrietta Maria, stayed there in July 1643. Read the full story in the Express & Star
Linford Group of Lichfield will restore a timber-framed Tudor house in Kings Norton, Birmingham, known as the Old Grammar School.
It has fallen into decay and is on English Heritage's "at risk" register. The Saracen's Head, which shares the same site with a 12th century church, was built by a rich wool merchant in 1492 but later became an inn.
The Saracen's Head has highly decorative medieval workmanship, sophisticated building techniques and it is believed the wife of Charles I, Queen Henrietta Maria, stayed there in July 1643.
Both buildings are owned by Kings Norton Parish Church which won the BBC Two Restoration series in 2004 to restore them.
Linford Group, of Dam Street, was chosen because of a substantial track record in conservation and historic building restoration.
Executive chairman Simon Linford said: "It is a very important, high profile contract so it is particularly nice to win because it is so much in the public gaze.
"In a way we are the unsung heroes of restoration but we want to make this an exemplar project.
"Our team are all trained in masonry and carpentry and it is a very long process to become skilled enough to work on historic buildings like this one, so I am sure it will be a huge success."
The project involves the Heritage Lottery Fund, English Heritage, Birmingham City Council, The Restoration Fund and the Wildlife Trust. Buildings are expected to reopen to the public in early 2008.
Canon Rob Morris, Kings Norton Team Rector, said: "We are delighted to commence the main building work which the programme did so much to encourage.
"Project volunteers and our project team have worked so hard."
