Appleby Moot Hall is one of 10 historic properties which have been taken off a key at risk list, after work to secure them for future generations.
Historic England has published its annual Heritage at Risk register for 2022, which gives an annual snapshot of the critical health of England’s most valued historic places and those most at risk of being lost as a result of neglect, decay or inappropriate development.
Over the past year, 10 historic buildings and sites have been added to the register in the North West because of their deteriorating condition and 10 sites have been saved.
Many have been rescued thanks to heritage partners and dedicated teams of volunteers, community groups, charities, owners and councils, working together with Historic England.
The Moot Hall, in Appleby, is one of the few surviving moot halls in England.
A building of exceptional historical significance, it has stood in the centre of the town since 1596, maintaining its original use for over 400 years. Extended over time, the hall’s two storey range of rendered rubblestone construction, alongside its sash windows and stone detailing, is an exemplar of Georgian architecture in Cumbria.
Surveys showed that extensive work was needed to address damp issues and to enhance its resilience in the face of extreme weather.
Repairs, including the replacement of render and the application of a natural limewash finish, have now been undertaken as part of a large-scale project jointly funded by Historic England working with Eden Council and Appleby Town Council.
These improvements have led to the removal of the Moot Hall from the Heritage at Risk register.
The hall sits at the heart of the Appleby Heritage Action Zone, and the town council is encouraging visitors to appreciate its history through tours. It provides a benchmark for the use of traditional materials and finishes for the buildings of the town for future generations.
Mayor Gareth Hayes said: “Appleby is familiar with making its mark in the history books.
“We do not take our history for granted. The Moot Hall building restoration project is a brilliant achievement in our ever-changing world and gives all of us an opportunity to celebrate, with immense gratitude, our unique past, the efforts that have made it possible and our optimism for the future.”
