Monday 28 April saw the official unveiling of the plaque awarded to the Derbyshire Historic Buildings Trust in the 2024 National Railway Heritage Awards officially unveiled on the superbly restored railway station in Derbyshire.
The unveiling was held on a bright day which fully illuminated the wonderful restoration which had been carried out at Wingfield Station, listed Grade II* and designed by Francis Thompson for the North Midland Railway and constructed between 1836 and 1840, which had been released from the grip of heavy vegetation and once more brought into full view to both the forecourt and the adjacent main line.
The National Railway Heritage Awards were represented by Trustees, Andy Savage MBE (Chairman), accompanied by Gavin Johns (Chairman of Adjudicators), Robert Hayward (Awards Manager & Trustee), Malcolm Wood (Awards Manager & Trustee), and Tim Hedley-Jones MVO (Sponsorship Manager, also representing the Railway Heritage Trust).
The Awards party were welcomed by Peter Milner (Trustee DHBT) and introduced various members of DHBT who were present together with those involved in the direct operation of the station.
An opportunity was taken to look round the building and see the impressive work that had been carried out with sympathetic interventions and finishes based on historic details uncovered during the restoration which had to degree been protected during the dormant period of the building.
Guests were able to experience the features which had been included at the station for the benefit of visitors which included the tea-room, shop and the model railway layout in the former Goods building, based on the historic track formations at Wingfield.
The unveiling ceremony took place at the northern end of the building where Peter Milner welcomed the distinguished guests from the local community and explained the experience of discovering that DHBT had won the overall Best Entry award, sponsored by Greater Anglia, and the importance of the award to the heritage of Derbyshire, and the local community in Amber Valley.
Andy Savage spoke on behalf of the National Railway Heritage Awards introducing the attendees from NRHA and described the importance of the project in the context of restoration schemes, and to the Awards themselves.
He also thanked the awards sponsors, without which there would be no awards competition and welcomed Stuart Freer, representing Greater Anglia, who spoke on behalf of the sponsors and explained the importance of their involvement and continued support of the Awards.
He then unveiled the plaque together with Peter Milner and Andy Savage, after which group photographs were taken with local guests including Lindsey Farnsworth MP for Amber Valley, Chris Emmas-Williams the Leader of Amber Valley Council, Paul Lobley the Mayor of Amber Valley Borough Council, after which refreshments were taken with other local council and community representatives.
The unveiled plaque with, from left, Peter Milner, Trustee Derbyshire Historic Buildings Trust, Stuart Freer, Greater Anglia, Andy Savage, National Railway Heritage Awards, Chris Emmas-Williams, Leader of Amber Valley Borough Council, Linsey Farnsworth, MP for Amber Valley, and Paul Lobley , Mayor of Amber Valley Borough Council.
The restored Grade II* listed station at Wingfield; long closed but listed in 1971, the building’s condition deteriorated over many years, resulting in it being listed by the Victorian Society in 2012 as one of the country’s top ten threatened buildings from the period. Following compulsory purchase and transfer to the Trust, work commenced on its restoration in 2029 with work completed four years later. The superb work undertaken by the Trust resulted in being named the winner of the Greater Anglia Award for the year’s best entry at the 2024 National Railway Heritage Awards when these were announced at Merchant Taylors’ Hall in early December 2024.