Station House, the former stationmaster’s house at Malvern Link station, is the unanimous winner of this year’s Civic Award.
When Lee Bone, local builder and property developer, bought the building in April, 2016, it was a sad, deteriorating ruin. Lee was determined to rescue it. His ingenious concept was to create three inter-connecting holiday apartments which could be rented singly or as a group. Both inside and out he has taken infinite pains to present elegant 21st century accommodation within the context of a 19th century railway house. When normal times return there is no doubt that a succession of visitors will rent these apartments and bring new life to the town.
Three other nominations had been visited before the pandemic lockdown curtailed this year’s process. They all had commendable features.
Sally and Patrick Fallon transformed their 1960s bungalow “Three Pines” in Imperial Road; Paula Kingston and Eoin McCarthy extended their handsome 1920s house, 11 Ebrington Road, West Malvern; Michael Hodges of Broadway Heritage Ltd. rescued another important Malvern house, St Leonard’s, Ranelagh Road, Malvern Link. This was formerly “Salvation House”, the family home built in 1868-9 for the Rev. George Herbert, the founder of the Convent of the Holy Name. The Civic Award committee decided to present Mr. Hodges with a special commendation for safeguarding this important part of Malvern’s architectural heritage.
The Covid lockdown prevented the committee from visiting three other nominations. They will now be put forward for next year’s award, together with any others. A building, either a renovation or newly built in the Malvern area, needs to be completed by March 31st 2021. It must be well designed and constructed and must add something special to the local built environment. Anyone can make a nomination before the end of March. Please email awards@malverncivicsociety.org.uk
Malvern Civic Society has been making these annual awards for the past 26 years, since 1994. During this time over 100 local buildings have been considered. The award is a small metal plaque designed to be attached to the building; it is highly regarded by owners, architects, builders and developers.
John Dixon
Chair of the Civic Award Sub-Committee.