SPAB
@SPAB1877
Followers
22K
Following
6K
Media
2K
Statuses
11K
The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings. We're here to help old buildings and the people who care for them.
Spitalfields, London
Joined October 2010
Chimneys may be functional, but that doesn’t mean they can’t be beautiful! . Here’s the Old Vicarage at Methwold with its striking 16th century chimney in three decorative tiers. Where else have you seen elaborate chimneys like this one? 🧐. 📷Nic McPhee CC By SA 2.0
20
91
482
Ever spotted one of these? A crinkle-crankle wall is an unusual type of garden wall, particularly associated with Suffolk, like this example in Bramfield. How they got their marvellous name is subject of some debate, of course. 📸CC BY-SA 2.0 / Nat Bocking #TechincalTuesday
34
62
390
Ever seen houses that look like this? . This is ‘pargeting’, a type of ornamental plasterwork that adds interest and texture to building facades. Although still a live tradition in Essex & Suffolk, pargeting is now an endangered craft. 📸The Sun Inn, Saffron Walden.
18
72
392
The George 🐲 London's only surviving galleried coaching inn. Formerly known as George & the Dragon, it was destroyed in the Great Fire of Southwark in 1676. It was rebuilt soon after, to the original plan. 📸 Nick Fraser CC BY-SA 3.0 . #StGeorgesDay
5
35
248
The greenest building is the one that already exists 🏡. Many old buildings can be repaired, adapted and reused so they can contribute to a more sustainable future. Want to know more? Check out these online talks from @SPABIreland. #WorldEnvironmentDay
2
76
217
London stockbrick — boring or beautiful? These bricks makes up the fabric of the city, yet unlike their more distinctive counterparts (Bath stone, for example) they often go overlooked. Let's see if we can change that. 📸Matthias Rohrberg
12
24
212
Unexpected bonus of the heatwave - 17th century garden revealed at Chatsworth
1
69
150
This Grade II* listed merchant's house is on the market for the first time in nearly a century. One of King's Lynn's oldest surviving properties — just look at those historic wall paintings! .
3
39
156
Historic graffiti can tell us so much about ordinary people, often those left out of history books. Here's a snippet of James Wright, a buildings archaeologist, exploring our Kibworth Harcourt mill. Over 200 names, ritual markings and sketches were found! #RememberACharityWeek
3
37
139
Whether it's cottages, castles or cathedrals, we're here because we love old buildings and want to protect them. So today, we're curious. is there a particular place that first sparked your love of old buildings? Let us know in the comments below. 😍 #LoveOldBuildings
15
15
114
This weekend @SPAB1877 staff and volunteers, with support from @HistoricEngland, stepped in to save a GII* medieval cob farmhouse in Devon which is on the brink of collapse #heritageatrisk #staveoffdecay
0
36
108
In the Georgian era, shutters were an elegant way to shut out the world. Internal shutters would fold back neatly into the window reveal and could be bolted from the inside to keep out burglars (and the cold!) — handy since glass was so thin. #WindowWednesday. 📷 Tony Baggett
3
22
111
Have you spotted these on building? These hooks were once used to pull thatch from the roofs of burning buildings. #TechnicalTuesday. This photo was taken in Wiltshire, in 1957. #thread
7
23
103
#Buildingofthemonth is 51 Tickford St, Newport Pagnell. This Grade II 'at risk' building was thought to be C18, we believe that it originated as a medieval hall house and that its listing should be upgraded to Grade II* 📷Eveleigh Photography
9
31
102
#BuildingInFocus A cobbled #Norfolk alley shelters England’s last surviving Hanseatic warehouse. 'Hanse House' was a trading post for the Hanseatic League - a confederation of #medieval merchants. Built in 1475, when #KingsLynn was England's most important port. 🧵 . 📷 SPAB
4
23
95
Before Elon, there were anchor plates. Have you ever spotted an 'X' on an old building? It's likely to be an anchor plate. These are connected to tie rods or bolts and used to reinforce bowing walls. Image: Frank Vincentz
4
27
102
Some delightfully "scattered fenestration" for you this #WindowWednesday! . The age and style of windows can give us clues about how a building evolved over time. What other features might help you piece together a building's story?. 📷 Blo Norton Hall © Ian Christopher Weston
2
19
97
SPAB founder William Morris was #bornonthisday - an inspirational craftsperson, designer, writer and campaigner for old buildings #OTD
1
73
94
We got our lime kiln burning today. It’s made of lime stabilised earth, this helps with insulation to reach the high temperatures needed for burning, and uses less fuel.
2
22
85
Speak to an expert for free. Open to all, for all your old buildings questions - from windows to wallpaper, mortars to maintenance. Call 020 7456 0916 weekdays 9.30am-12.30pm. Supported by @HistoricEngland
1
68
94
Keeping historic facades - horror or comedy?. This is our favourite local fright in Artillery Lane, Spitalfields. Hear from the Gentle Author and enjoy more breathtaking examples from the new book The Creeping Plague of Ghastly Facadism 📷@thegentleauthor
17
44
89
Last night, we wrapped up our 2020 working party. It was a smaller, quieter affair than usual, but we were so pleased to be able to hold the event at all. It was centred around the Boxley Abbey complex and included the former St Andrews chapel, our #SPABOldHouse project. #thread
3
18
87
We're very excited that this summer leading craftspeople and specialists will carry out urgent roof repairs at our #SPABOldHouse at St Andrew’s, Boxley in Kent. #thread #blog 📸@danielbridge
2
14
82
Happy birthday William Morris! Our founder was #BornOnThisDay in 1834. An artist, poet, socialist, conservationist and campaigner - a man of tremendous energy. Join us to support the work he started. Get 10% off with: SPRING2020 #otd #WilliamMorris
4
32
80
📣 Willoughby Almshouses update. The High Court has officially ruled that Broxtowe Council acted unlawfully in granting listed building consent for these Grade II* listed almshouses without notifying us. The listed building consent has been quashed🎉 .
3
20
83
Evidence of witchcraft beliefs have been found in the fabric of buildings throughout Britain. Witch-bottles, bones, charms, marks and more. Hear from Brian Hoggard, expert in archaeology of British folk magic on Friday 15 May, 6pm .📸@folkmagicman
1
27
73
It's easy to see how William Morris could have fallen in love with Kelmscott. We were on site today for #SPABcasework looking at proposals to reuse the historic farm buildings to house improved visitor and education facilities plus new interpretation in the main house
2
23
78
Do you know where this charming scene could be?. We'd love it if you could help us put a name to this unlabelled archive image. Let us know in the comments if you can spot any clues 👇. [ Ref: P1020771]. #Mondaymystery #archives #history
16
14
82
Adaptation & changes of use are inevitable. But what is good new design for old buildings? Scale, weaving in new fabric sympathetically, understanding the site, new forms echoing old, align conservation & design, new work is one phase in long timeline .#Newdesignoldbuildings2018
3
45
78
We see you @nationaltrust and @UkNatArchives … and we raise you. Pedro Pascal as bricks (a thread). 1) London stockbrick
3
22
67
A cacophony of tiles! Here, you can see plain clay tiles and Horsham stone slate on the roof, alongside vertically-hung plain and scalloped tiles on the first floor. Chaotic, beautiful, or both? . 📷Anne of Cleeves' House, Lewes © Matthew Slocombe
3
17
79
Mary, Ethel and Violet Pinwill were three extraordinary woodcarvers working from about 1889. While it was not unusual for women to learn woodcarving in the late Victorian period, it was quite exceptional for them to become professionals. Read our blog➡️
2
26
68
"I spent a decade in the fire service, but my free time was dedicated to learning ancient crafts. In 2021, the pull towards craft & buildings became too strong to ignore" . Dan Cheetham (SPAB Millwright Fellow) on learning a critically #endangeredcraft.
1
16
76
The Need for Old Buildings to Breathe. Download detailed guidance on what we think is a fundamental issue in care of historic buildings. Written by Philip Hughes.
1
37
78
Our HQ 37 Spital Square, in London's Spitalfields is the last Georgian house on the street. It's been a year since we've been able to welcome visitors here. Let's take a tour. #OurSpitalfields #thread 📸@fotofacade
3
12
75
Catslide roof 🙀. A roof that sweeps below the main eaves (often at a dramatic angle) to cover a side room or lean-to. Nobody quite knows how it got its name. What do you think?. 📷 Catslide roof, Hampshire © Oswald Bertram. #InternationalCatDay
4
15
72
It's #NationalMaintenanceWeek! Get involved with simple building care this week 20-27 November and protect buildings from winter weather. Join us for loads of FREE events and get your questions answered by experts. #maintenancematters
1
33
71
A winner! 🏆 Our Old House Project has won the @MandHShow award for Best Restoration or Conservation Project of the Year! The repair project at St Andrews, Kent champions careful repair and community engagement so we're delighted to be recognised
1
18
68
Roof tiles were adapted for vertical tiling in the late 17th century, often to protect timber-framed buildings in south-east England from driving rain. These tiles tend to retain colour better than those on the roof, giving these houses a lovely gingerbread appearance 😍
1
12
66
If you've ever lived in an old house, what's the one thing you wish you'd known before moving in?
67
17
69
Happy birthday William Morris! Artist, designer, writer, campaigner - and our founder. Born #otd in 1834. "We are only trustees for those that come after us." .Read our founding Manifesto: #WilliamMorris
1
28
67
John Piper and John Betjeman - two great minds of the 20th century. They were also great friends. Hear from Professor Frances Spalding at our online lecture: 'A Marriage of Minds: John Betjeman and John Piper', on 25 March, 6.30-7.30pm:
0
19
64
Architect & teacher W R Lethaby was born #otd in 1857. Our Scholarship, which trains young architects, is named after him . This is his last great building - All Saints, Brockhampton #Herefordshire 📷Roger Davies/Geograph
3
16
63
Join SPAB & @friendschurches director Rachel Morley for a talk on careful work gently transforming St Denis's, an ancient Cambs. church with substantial Butterfield work, from an ivy-smothered semi-ruin to a building with a bright future. 1 Apr, 12-1pm
2
13
60
SPAB Director Matthew Slocombe is a signatory (with leaders of other heritage groups) to a letter in today's Times opposing plans to demolish the Empire cinema on Haymarket, London. Built in 1927, the Empire is the last of the grand palace cinemas
2
42
60
At the weekend our ‘guerilla’ conservationists assembled to save a Devon longhouse. Read more about the amazing work they did: #heritageatrisk #staveoffdecay
1
32
59
The @WmMorrisSocUK is holding an online exhibition exploring Islamic art and its influence on the British Arts & Crafts movement . This tile design of saz leaves, lotus and red tulips was from Iznik in the Ottoman Empire, now Turkey . Until 14 January 2021
3
23
60
‘If I were asked to say what is at once the most important production of Art and the thing most to be longed for, I should answer, A beautiful House’. William Morris, 1892. @WmMorrisSocUK curator Helen Elletson writes of his magical London home ➡️#thread
2
17
58
These houses look like they're straight from a fairytale. But they weren't built wonky -- it's happened over time. For some, the crookedness of certain timber-framed buildings only adds to the appeal. What do you think?. 📸Martin Pettitt; Brian Robert Marshall [CC by SA 2.0]
6
3
58
On the subject of the barn, the roof is exceptional - a 600 year old scissor truss construction.
4
6
57
Have you read our practical guide to building conservation? Download the SPAB Approach now
2
63
63
This humble cottage was built in 1757. Just two years later it would become the birthplace of Robert Burns, the Scottish bard 📚. It's a charming example of Scottish vernacular, with clay-bonded walls (harled & whitewashed) and reed thatched roof. #BurnsNight
0
20
61
Today we're looking at maintaining windows #NationalMaintenanceWeek 🏠✨. Painting your windows regularly protects them from decay and keeps them looking beautiful. You can download our full briefing on caring for windows and doors #MaintenanceMatters
2
17
60
In Georgian times, glass was still relatively thin and weak, making it hard to fill large spaces. Yet light-filled rooms and large windows were all the rage. The solution? Small panes held in place with numerous glazing bars, often in this 'six over six' grid. #WindowWednesday
2
10
61
SPAB stalwart Anthony Goode shortlisted for an EH Heritage Angel Award for his work on a unique earth-built dovecote
2
17
59
What an entrance! Raglan Gatehouse, Plymouth is up for auction and needs a sympathetic new owner. Built in 1853-56 by the designer of the Albert Hall, it's GII listed but has been neglected for deacdes. For sale on 19 April, from £300k👉📸 @bradleysgroup
3
16
58
📢Broxtowe Council is set to agree damaging plans to redevelop Willoughby Almshouses in Cossall. Built in 1685, they are Grade II* listed (top 8% of listed buildings in England). These plans will see their unique character destroyed. We urge @broxtowebc to reconsider.
10
30
60
Wood tar has been used for thousands of years as a timber preservative as well as a medicinal product. SPAB members can join an online talk exploring the practical side of making and using wood tars on historic buildings. On 15 July, 5.30pm.
1
17
58
The greenest building is the one that already exists. Regular maintenance will help our homes to last longer and be more energy efficient. #MaintenanceWeek. Watch a free introductory talk on building care ➡️
0
15
54
In case you missed it. 📺. Rachel Morley, Director of @friendschurches and former SPAB Chair, puts forward the case for the rescue and repair of redundant churches. What do you think — should historic church buildings be saved?.
6
15
60
This Grade II* listed 'building at risk' stood empty for 50 years. Hidden behind an overgrown garden, damaged by vandals and with a leaking roof. This ‘sleeping beauty’ needed rescuing. 📸Ralph Hodgson
1
7
54
William Morris urged people to ‘stave off decay by daily care, to prop a perilous wall or mend a leaky roof’. Sound, practical advice. Faulty gutters & blocked drains don't mend themselves - the longer you ignore a problem the more costly it is to repair #NationalGuttersDay
0
33
57
Exciting find 👀. This horse's head (14th C) was possibly the handle of a puzzle jug. It was found by Kevin Cornwell as part of a dig near Boxley Abbey's medieval hospitium, where we're carrying out repairs. Did the jug once belong to a pilgrim on the way to Canterbury?
1
11
50
Ian from Wienerberger Heritage Service @wienerbergeruk working live with aluvial clay from the humber to demonstrate bespoke clay tiling. Come down to be in with a chance of winning this handmade dragon model #OldHouseShow2018 #Clay #Tiling #Handmade #Greenwich #Crafts
0
12
50
Harmondsworth Barn, c1425 - a casualty of Heathrow's third runway? It's a rare and exceptional survival, but for how long?
11
79
52
Happy 200th birthday John Ruskin! Artist, writer and founding SPAB member born #otd in 1819. We’re celebrating his bicentenary with a lecture series on this great #Victorian and his legacy – book your place online: @ruskinland #Ruskin200 @RuskinToday
0
20
49
We'll be closed for Christmas from tomorrow. Our services, including our Technical Advice Line, will be back on 2 January. Thank you to everyone who has worked with us this year to give old buildings a future. We hope you all have a wonderful festive break! 🎄. 📷 Andy Newton
1
6
53
Congrats to bricklayer Emma Simpson on her new MBE for services to Heritage Conservation. Emma is an enormously respected craftsperson, an inspiring teacher and unstinting SPAB supporter. Know a craftsperson new to their trade who deserves an award?🏆
0
9
51
A medieval farmhouse in Exmoor, the site of a SPAB emergency ‘Guerilla Working Party’ to secure it for the winter, has been officially recognised as ‘at risk’ by @HistoricEngland We hope this spotlight will attract more attention & possible funding
1
20
55
FREE heritage roofing skills training 🥳 Are you a contractor, trainee or apprentice working on listed/traditional buildings? Free course 20-21 Jan at Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings led by legendary #SPABFellow @JordanConserv Email crafttrainingservices@gmail.com today to apply.
0
36
53
A corbel is a piece of stone, wood or metal that juts out from a wall and carries weight (e.g supporting an arch). These rather striking examples are found on St. Mary and St. David Church, Kilpeck. We're curious. which makes you smile most?. Photos: Michael Garlick
6
9
54
Happy St Andrew’s Day! This is St Andrews in Kent, our Old House Project. Built in 1484 as a gatehouse chapel to a Cistercian Abbey, we believe it once housed a relic of the finger of St Andrew, clad in silver. Find out more 📸Daniel Bridge
1
8
52
Prince Frederick Duleep Singh was born #otd 1868. ‘Freddie’ was a SPAB volunteer; we have dozens of his letters in our archive. His father, the last Maharaja of the Sikh Empire, was exiled to Britain after the Second Anglo-Sikh war. His sister Sophia was a prominent Suffragrette
2
11
48
These charmingly top-heavy buildings are 'jettied'. This is when the top floor protudes or jetties outwards. It comes from the French 'to throw out'. You'll often see it in medieval timber-framed buildings, like these in York. Where else have you seen buildings like this?
7
12
53
After many months of hard work, we are delighted to launch our new online archive catalogue for #InternationalArchivesDay! . ✨ The catalogue currently contains over 20,000 descriptions of historic casework files and photographs, collected since 1877.
0
21
47
“St Peters, Bradwell on Sea, was constructed with a potpourri of materials, some from the Roman fort, Othona, which it replaced. As it stands, unadulterated, it’s a triumph for SPAB activism. ”. From @gilliandarley's piece #essex
2
17
41
When Eleanor of Castile died in 1290, Edward I commissioned 12 crosses along the route of her funeral cortege from Lincoln to London. Today only three crosses survive, including this one at Hardingstone, Northampton, as seen in our archives in 1884. #NorthamptonshireDay
1
14
46
"Stave off decay by daily care, to prop a perilous wall or mend a leaky roof" ~ SPAB founder William Morris. Preventative maintenance saves buildings, energy and money. #LoveYourBuilding .Find out more:
1
27
47
Lovely photos showing the healthy state of the soft capping put on by volunteers during our 2016 #SPABWorkingParty 🌱🌿💚.
The old church of St John the Baptist in #Greatham, #Hampshire. c.1282. Chancel and ruined nave. Just over the road from the new church. #Februinary
1
7
45
Heartfelt thanks to all the craftspeople, consultants, supporters and funders who are helping to make the Old House Project a success. We're over the moon the Project has been recognised with an award, but we could not do it without you!.#MandHAwards . 📸@danielbridge
1
11
49
Happy #WomenInEngineeringDay! . @Triona_B a structural engineer working primarily in conservation & #SPABScholar explains what her work involves and how she specialised in old buildings. #thread #INWED20 #blog . @SPABScotland
2
22
45
Why did one of the wealthiest American women in the early 20th century buy a ruined medieval manor outside Totnes? . Dartington Hall, Devon had been a ruin for 200 years when it was bought in 1925 by Dorothy and Leonard Elmhirst. ➡️
2
20
43
Ever spotted walls that look like this? 🧐. This is tile repair, a method sometimes advocated by the SPAB to patch historic masonry. Why? It’s all part of our conservative approach to repair, seeking to retain as much of the building’s original fabric as possible.
1
6
46
Have you ever found animal bones in old buildings? Resourceful builders in the past used materials which were cheap, effective and to hand. They hung roof slates hung on sheep bone pegs and laid pavements of cattle bones, like this one in Oxfordshire. 📸Don Fisher
2
10
44
As it's St Piran's Day, we checked our archive for Cornish gems. These curious culverhouses (dovecotes) near Tintagel and Wadebridge date from C13th, built in stone and earth to house pigeons for coooking. 📸1900s, taken by local architect Edward Sedding
5
14
44
Winter is a good time to check your building and identify potential problems that might need attention #LoveYourBuilding. This week we'll share some maintenance #toptips and look forward to your gutterly photos for #NationalGuttersDay on Friday. Please share and tag us in!
2
21
44
A feast for the eyes 😍. This 17th-century, Grade II* listed manor house is brimming with original features. Its owner has been carrying out loving repairs and it's an ongoing project — who's up for the challenge? .
6
9
45
Happy birthday John Ruskin! Born #otd in 1819. Talented and troubled, Ruskin was a hugely influential writer, thinker and artist. His ideas about building conservation were a great inspiration to our founders, William Morris and Philip Webb. #JohnRuskin
3
14
43
We were delighted to discover a medieval encaustic tile at our #SPABOldHouse during some landscaping work this week. It looks unused and is identical to one found during excavations at next door Boxley Abbey in the early 1970s. More about our project➡️
2
7
43
We've campaigned for Interim Protection prior to listing. Wales has it but nothing in place in neighbouring Bristol
7
36
42