The need to preserve historic sites and buildings is of vital importance.
In the UK, Parliament has recognized its duty to make sure this need is fulfilled for well over a century.
The first legislation for the preservation of archaeological and historic sites in the UK was the Ancient Monuments Protection Act of 1882.
Despite several further acts, during the 1960s many beautiful buildings in English towns were unfortunately attacked and knocked down to be replaced by monstrosities.
Shrewsbury is generally a wonderful example where buildings have been given a new lease of life.
The exception is the clock tower Market Hall, which is a huge, ugly 1960s building in the middle of town.
Rigorous planning laws were laid down in 1968 introducing the concept of a listed building. This means there are statutory obligations for care and conservation.
Shrewsbury boasts more than 660 listed buildings including the Castle and Shrewsbury Abbey.
Listed buildings are placed in one of three grades, which give an indication of their relative importance — grade I, grade II* or grade II.
I mentioned the Old Market Hall in my column last week. This building is grade 1 listed and was built in 1596.
Over the centuries, it has served many different purposes for the people of Shrewsbury. It was first used by the Shrewsbury drapers to sell Welsh wool and was at the heart of the town’s economy for 200 years.
In the 19th century it was used as a warehouse and later as a venue for dances and lectures.
In the 1870s it was converted into offices and a courthouse until purpose-built courts were opened in 1995.
Then the building fell into disrepair and there was a danger it would not survive. It was added to the English Heritage Buildings at Risk Register.
Now with new life breathed in, it is a thriving cinema and a wonderful example of how historical buildings can be made modern for the future.
Another example in Shrewsbury of a building needing new life is the grade 1 listed former Ditherington Flax Mill and former Malting Kiln.
It was built in 1797 and immediately famed for its iron frame — the first such building in the world and the ancestor of the modern skyscraper.
The flax business began to decline in the 1870s and in 1886 the mill closed.
In the late 19th century, the buildings became a maltings, finally closing in 1987.
It is a very complicated set of buildings and plans for a £30 million (about US $48 million) regeneration of the site were recently submitted to Shropshire Council.
If the scheme goes ahead, the site could be transformed into a housing and leisure complex.
There’s a long way to go as up to £17 million (US $27 million) of public funding still needs to be found.
It is always so sad if a historical building is left to go to ruin and it’s our duty to preserve these treasures for the future while continuing to celebrate their past.
Rebecca Lawrence can be reached at 691-1258.
