The bell alongside S6 Pupils Gregor Holmyard, Isabella Della Sala, Head Teacher David Dempster, CALA Project Manager Craig Donaldson, S6 Pupils Imogen Moran and Greg Manson

Boroughmuir High School in Edinburgh has been presented with their original school bell from the 1930s which was discovered during the property restoration of the school's previous home in Viewforth.

The construction team at CALA Homes (East) facilitating the restoration rescued the artefact and has now gifted it to the new school.

A Grade B listed building, the former Boroughmuir High School was occupied from 1913 and was one of the first in Edinburgh to use steel frame architecture.

The recovered bell was produced in 1938, as is inscribed around the body, by specialist bell casters and hangers in Glasgow and Edinburgh, John Bryden & Sons.

Mr Dempster said: Were delighted that CALA has recognised and restored this significant part of our schools long history. The bell will remain with us as a reminder to all of our staff and pupils of the past.

Craig Donaldson, CALAs Project Manager at Boroughmuir, helped ensure the safe delivery of the historic bell to the new school.

He said: As with every restoration project that we undertake, at Boroughmuir we are working to breathe new life in what is an important building for the city.

Externally the building will remain largely untouched. We are sensitively restoring all 430 windows, as well as repointing and painting where required to bring it back to its best.

Inside, were carefully renovating the former school into beautiful modern apartments, with nods back to history throughout.

We were delighted to get to a point where we could safely retrieve the bell. Its a privilege to be able to give something back to the school that spent so many years on this site and it will hopefully give the staff and students a small reminder of their heritage every day.

CALA's work began at Boroughmuir in March 2019 and the final development will comprise 87 one, two, three and four-bedroom contemporary apartments.

Last year Cala Homes (East) hailed a report that its work to redevelop a former school in Edinburgh will deliver an economic boost of more than 45 million to the local area.

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Small piece of history returned as bell from 1930s makes its way back to Boroughmuir High School - Edinburgh News

Work to restore an A-listed Aberdeen landmark to its former glory could begin in the summer.

Westburn House was built by Aberdeens famous architect Archibald Simpson and has lain derelict for more than 20 years.

The Save Westburn House group set out its vision for the derelict structure at an exhibition at Robert Gordon University yesterday.

It used the showcase to display its own plans for the project as well as the history of the former residence, which sits in the centre of Westburn Park.

Heritage experts also explained the reasons for the scheme and the best way to successfully turn the decrepit building into a cafe, community space and museum dedicated to the life of Archibald Simpson.

Save Westburn House hopes to raise 300,000 to help complete the restoration and believes the bid to reverse the houses fortunes could begin at the end of spring or start of summer.

The project has been split into three different parts phase one is stopping the decay, phase two is the restoration of the building and phase three is opening it up for visitors.

The group is trying to take on ownership from the city council and also secure charitable status.

Gavin Esslemont, founder and chairman of Save Westburn House, said the first major project will be getting inside the building and checking what damage has been caused by the crumbling roof.

He hopes to get things moving within a matter of months.

Mr Esslemont said: We need to work with architects to weed out anything that is in a pile in the basement and make sure we retain anything of interest for Westburn House.

Little bits of cornicing or door panels all that is really important to be able to recreate the building the way it was when it was designed by Archibald Simpson.

Our objective is to put it back to the way it was in 1901.

That is phase one of our plan and we hope to commence in May or June this year, subject to funding.

Once we get that done, by October or November we will try to secure funding for phase two, which is the actual restoration.

Westburn House was built as a private home for David Chalmers in 1839 and was originally part of the 22-acre Westburn Estate.

The city council bought it in 1901 and the house was used as a refreshments room.

Mr Esslemont said yesterdays exhibition at RGUs Garthdee campus was a good chance to boost the project.

He said the group also wants people with experience of heritage and other building projects to join the cause.

We need to get professionals on board and actually help us, like architects and structural engineers, Mr Esslemont added.

If we can get anything for free, we can actually give back to them somehow. We need to keep communicating to say to people this is what we are doing.

That is why forums like this exhibition are important.

This event is essentially a formal launch and fundraiser to make people aware of what we are doing.

Link:
Work to save A-listed Aberdeen building could start in summer - Aberdeen Evening Express

A woman has made a poignant 12,000-mile journey to donate money towards the repair of the historic building where her parents were married.

Susan Innes travelled from New Zealand to Aberdeen to make the touching pledge.

Her parents, Robert and Isobel Innes, tied the knot in Westburn House in July 1954.

In the decades after emigrating, the pair kept up with what was going on in the north-east via Press and Journal cuttings sent overseas.

Mr Innes died in 2012, but Mrs Innes maintained the interest.

She was recently dismayed to see that the venue which holds such a special place in her heart has fallen into ruin.

The former caterer is now unable to travel, but resolved to do her bit towards the campaign to return it to its former glory.

Her daughter instead made the trip and handed over 200 towards the restoration project, which is being carried out by the Save Westburn House Action Group.

Aberdeens historic Westburn House could be sold for just 1

Ms Innes also handed over a handwritten letter from her mother.

She said: When my mum saw the recent article she was really angry that something that means so much could be left to rack and ruin.

She was talking about all of the good times they had as kids being in the area, and how much that place meant to them.

The family moved to New Zealand in 1966 when Ms Innes was three months old, because of a lack of work in the city.

Mr Innes had worked at Cornhill and moved into a job in mental health while Mrs Innes continued to work in catering.

Ms Innes works in airport security and has always been proud to be Scottish, with Aberdeen being her second home.

For 50 years, her fathers sister Auntie Isobel has been posting clippings of the P&J overseas.

After reading about the decline of the historic A-listed site, and attempts to restore it, Ms Innes and her mother went through her wedding album reminiscing about the reception there.

Ms Innes said: Mum wrote the card and the letter so that they knew that somebody 12,000 miles away cared about their project.

The letter described the perfect and sunny day at Westburn Park when the pair were wed.

The family hope that Westburn House will one day host more wedding receptions.

Vice chairman of the action group, Adam Simpson, said: The donation is absolutely amazing, this is what its all about, capturing peoples memories of when they were young.

This is why it should be saved.

Ms Innes added: The story of what happened, and getting to tell mum about it it is going to be recited I dont know how many times.

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Woman travels 12000 miles to donate towards restoration of historic Aberdeen building where parents were married - Press and Journal

A GRADE II listed building in Newport city centre has been bought by Inspired Business Media - and they'll use it as their company headquarters.

The business bought Palace House,in Stow Hill, following a 1,000,000 investment supported by Barclays.

Inspired Business Media was set up in Newport in 2013 by Jason Awatar and Leigh Hussain. Their previous offices were in Gold Tops.

The business now employs 54 staff, producing industry-leading business-to-business conferences, round tables and events, supporting educational learning and strategic meetings for the worlds most innovative and pioneering organisations such as Google, Facebook, IBM and Amazon at luxury venues in London, New York, Amsterdam and Dublin.

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Leigh Hussain, director of Inspired Business Media, said: We are local boys who are passionate about our business and giving local talent the chance to grow and develop.

"We are going to create up to 50 new jobs this year and needed more space, which is when we decided to acquire the 200-year-old Palace House, home to former archbishops and derelict for a number of years.

"This property is part of Newports forgotten history and we are delighted that the local council and surrounding residents have been supportive in this huge restoration project.

Graham Turner, Barclays Business manager, said: As champions of local business, it is essential that we support local growing businesses such as Inspired Business Media. Leigh and Jason are great examples of an entrepreneur using their experience, contacts and skills to develop a successful business.

"By really understanding the business and issues they have faced, Barclays has been able to support the business throughout its development. This is great news for Newport in restoring this historical building back to its former glory while creating jobs for the local community.

Jason Awatar said: "We have faced a number of challenges since starting the business including my own personal challenge when I suffered a major stroke on stage during an event in 2017.

"We are well positioned within the local and international markets and can use this investment supported by Barclays to grow and strengthen our business.

"Running a business is tough but the rewards far outweigh the downsides even after working long hours. Corporate social responsibility is very important to us. We will continue to promote sustainability and ethical working practices, whilst finding new ways to invest in Newport and support our local economy.

The property was marketed through Hutchings and Thomas, of Newport.

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Palace House in Newport snapped up by Inspired Business Media - South Wales Argus

On the evening of Jan. 14, 1990, Doug Seyle knocked on his employers front door at Savannahs stately Mercer House on Monterey Square. Receiving no response, he let himself in and found the historic homes locally famous resident, 59-year-old Jim Williams, lying dead in the study.

He died from a simple case of pneumonia, but the location of his death was remarkable. In that same room on May 2, 1981, Williams shot and killed 21-year-old Danny Lewis Hansford. Williams, an accomplished antiques dealer, building restorer, and Savannah socialite, insisted that hed shot the young man his part-time assistant and occasional lover in self-defense. Within a few weeks, Williams was indicted for murder.

Three decades after his death, Jim Williams is famous far beyond Savannah. The circumstances of the Hansford shooting, and the four trials that Williams endured to clear his name, provided the primary plot for "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil", John Berendts 1994 bestseller. Known locally as "The Book", it later served as the basis for a Hollywood movie, and became a driving force behind modern Savannah tourism.

However, Williamss legacy extends beyond the provocative anecdotes that made Berendt a multimillionaire. Williams was a leading preservationist of historic Savannah buildings, revamping over 30 edifices citywide. His projects included the Olde Pink House on Reynolds Square, the Hampton Lillibridge House on East Saint Julian Street, and the Mercer House now called the Mercer Williams House Museum where he lived and died.

This palatial Italianate mansion, constructed just after the Civil War for General Hugh W. Mercer (the great-grandfather of musician Johnny Mercer), now ranks among Savannahs most popular landmark museums. Owned by Williamss sister, Dorothy Kingery, the museum is currently receiving a thorough external refurbishment, in what she considers an effort to preserve her brothers restoration legacy.

"People really enjoy learning about Jims history," Kingery said, noting that Williamss antique collection within Mercer House paints a tasteful portrait of his life. "To carry this on, it means a lot to me and my family, and we are pleased to be able to do it."

"He took it in stride"

While Williams worked on many impressive buildings, Mercer House was his masterpiece. After completing its initial restoration in 1970 and making it his personal home, Williams hosted legendary parties there and used it as a showcase for his finest antiques. During his trials, it also became a place of refuge.

"We spent a lot of time in Jims house," said Atlanta-based attorney Don Samuel, who served on the Williams defense team. "It was somewhat museum-like even then."

Most anyone standing trial for murder would be forgiven for letting the ordeal overwhelm their decorum. However, this wasnt Williamss style, Samuel said.

"He was a very charming guy, unlike 99% of people on trial," Samuel said, adding that Williams carried himself with grace and good humor while working on his defense. "He took it in stride."

When Williams was finally found innocent after his fourth trial in 1989, Samuel recalls that his client was "completely exuberant, of course."

Nonetheless, Williamss passing just months after his exoneration made the courtroom victory bittersweet for Samuel.

"That was very tragic and sad that he didnt get to enjoy his freedom," Samuel said.

"Its a huge job"

Kingery remembers sitting with her mother and Williamss lawyers at the dining-room table soon after his death, and being asked what the family would do with the historic home.

"I said, We will keep it, of course," Kingery recalls.

Although maintaining such a grand estate was no small endeavor, Kingery felt that her brothers extensive efforts to preserve Mercer House would help considerably.

"Jim had just finished a restoration," Kingery said. "I was confident that we were dealing with a house that was in excellent shape."

For the next 14 years, Kingery maintained Mercer House as a private residence for herself and her daughter Susan, who now manages museum operations despite initial reservations about her mothers plan to turn the mansion into an exhibition.

"She said, Im going to turn it into a museum, and I said, Youre crazy," Susan Kingery recalls with a laugh.

Dorothy Kingery, who earned a history masters and a sociology PhD from the University of Georgia before establishing and directing UGAs Survey Research Center, was confident that the family could open Mercer House to the public.

"I knew how to hire and supervise people," Dorothy Kingery said, and in the years that followed, the mother-daughter team turned Mercer House into a premier Savannah attraction, although they declined to reveal specific visitor totals. "You would be amazed at the number of people who come here."

Still, museum operations require a great deal of work, and the elements also present challenges to the nearly 150-year-old building. With paint chipping on the trim and areas of the brick facade requiring cleaning, last year the Kingerys decided to refurbish the entire exterior. The restoration began in December, and is expected to continue through March, with the Savannah branch of Choate Construction handling the project.

"Its a huge job," Dorothy Kingery said.

"Its really a family home"

While Williamss untimely passing created an unwanted bookend to his lengthy legal difficulties, his family takes comfort in the final verdict.

"Im so grateful that he did clear his name before he died," Dorothy Kingery said.

At times when the Mercer House is closed to the public, Williamss family continues to gather there and enjoy the magnificent setting and all of its finery. On this past New Years Eve, Dorothy and Susan Kingery joined friends in the dining room to drink champagne from Williamss Baccarat crystal glasses that visitors view during tours.

"Its really a family home," Dorothy Kingery said. "We still love it and enjoy it. I think he knows."

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30 years after death of Jim Williams, his iconic Savannah home is being restored - Savannah Morning News

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTHI) The Wabash Valley experienced heavy rainfall this past weekend.

This may have caused water damage for some.

News 10 talked to Paul Davis Restoration about what to do in the event of an emergency.

It's important to immediately stop wherever the water is coming from.

That might mean tarping off an area.

Make sure your sump pump is working. You may want to have a back-up power supply in place.

Check your insurance policy to see what coverage you have in the event of a flood.Make a list of the items in your home. While it may seem tedious, it will help if you have to file a claim.

General Manager of Paul Davis Restoration, Ken Bovenschen shares why it's important to reduce the damage quickly.

"We can extract a lot more of that standing water and speed up the drying process,Bovenschen said. Once again, what we would normally refer to as mold can start growing in as quick as 24 to 72-hours."

The company says they did not respond to as many calls as they expected this weekend.

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How to handle water damage in your home - WTHITV.com

SILSBEE, Texas Some in the city of Silsbee are hoping to get a helping hand from the crew of one HGTV show looking to revitalize a small town in the US.

Silsbee Economic Development Corporation shared a Facebook post on Monday, inviting the community to be part of the effort to be selected for 'Home Town Takeover.'

"What an awesome way to see some of our dreams come to fruition...from restoring our movie theater, revitalizing downtown, improving parks and beautifying our entire community," the post says. "We are working on a submission video and we want you to be a part of it!"

A news release from HGTV says the selected town will 'witness the rehab of multiple individual family homes and the revitalization of public spaces, such as parks, local diners and recreation centers.'

The town will be part of a six-episode series set to premiere on HGTV in 2021.

Ben and Erin Napier host the show, and say this is a new feat for HGTV.

HGTV has never, ever taken on a whole town renovation and restoration project and were so proud and excited to be leading the team that will get it done. Show us those photos and videos," Erin Napier said. "Tell us what makes your town special and how youd like us to help make it better. You may see us in your town soon.

Silsbee's estimated population as of July 2018 was 6,651.

Silsbee EDC Mission and Values The mission of the EDC is to support economic and community development projects that will improve the business climate, strengthen the economy, create jobs, and enhance the quality of life in the city of Silsbee, Texas.

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Silsbee looking to be part of HGTV's 'Home Town Takeover' - 12newsnow.com KBMT-KJAC

PERRYSBURG, Ohio Over two inches of rain impacted a portion of our area Saturday, leading to residential flooding and water damage for some home owners.

Cousino Restoration in Perrysburg has been dealing with emergency damage situations for decades. Co-owner Michael Cousino said water damage is a problem many homeowners face every year.

"Every 100 homes, there's going to be about two of them homes per 100 that are going to flood a year," he said.

Cousino said the two main problems people face is a failing sump pump or a clogged drain.

A sump pump is a common way to remove water from your home and Cousino said investing in a good one is some of the best insurance you can have, in addition to homeowners insurance. He said people should check on them ahead of heavy rain events.

"I recommend dumping five gallons of water down into the sub-crack," he said. "Just to flush and make sure it keeps flowing."

Cousino suggests that property owners keep an eye out for clogged drains as well.

"I recommend that people make sure that they clean their drains every three years," he said. "Especially if there's a tree growing in line with the drain."

If you wake up to water in your basement and want to clean up yourself, Cousino said the number one thing to know is safety. Since it can be a hazardous environment, wear protective gear like rubber gloves, boots, a body suit, etc.

"A lot of the way that pathogens get into our bodies is they're ingested through our breathing through our nose and as things are dried and cleaned up, they become airborne and we don't want to ingest those," Cousino said.

Cousino said homeowners can handle most minor cleanups and investment in prevention could save you thousands of dollars.

RELATED: First Alert Forecast: Warm start to the week ahead of weekend rain, snow

RELATED: Steady rain floods roads and basements throughout area on Saturday

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How to prevent and treat home water damage after heavy rain, flooding - WTOL

Ranger Michael Marion talks about the history of Baker Island in Acadia National Park while leading a tour. Friends of Acadia has provided funds to help preserve the islands historic structures/FOA, Julia Walker Thomas

A visit to Acadia National Park can take you back to the 19th century if you make the journey out to Baker Island. Home to a lighthouse at the southern entrance to Frenchman Bay, the island was also a backdrop to generations of the Gilly family, which lived on the island for 123 years running. But time has taken a toll on the island's structures, some of which contained hazardous materials.

During the past year the Park Service staff at Acadia began tackling some of the restoration work at Baker Island. Provided with funding raised by Friends of Acadia, the agency was able toassess the presence of hazardous materials, including lead paint, asbestos, and universal waste such as petroleum products and mercury switches. Licensed contractors removed asbestos roof shingles from the oil shed, enabling the park service to repair the leaking roof with cedar shingles and prevent further degradation, according to the friends group.

Asbestos was also found in the keepers house in floor tiles, pipe insulation, and the stove thimble, notes a story in the winter issue of the Friends of Acadia Journal. A treatment or removal plan has not yet been decided.

According to Friends of Acadiam "(T)he historic structures on the island date mostly from the mid- to late 1800s and have been closed to the public due to hazardous materials and conditions. Great strides were made in 2019 by the National Park Service toward protecting the historical integrity of these structures and making them safer for the public to enjoy."

In addition to the funding provided for the restoration work, the friends group also provided $34,242 toward the production of detailed drawings and a conditions assessment report of the lighthouse tower, the keepers house, the oil shed, and the fuel house. That funding in turn leveraged $28,000 in federal contributions from Acadias entrance fees.

The National Park Services Historic Preservation Training Center will be working through February 2020 to document the conditions of the facilities and prepare recommendations for treatment and future uses for each building. The report will serve as the roadmap for future stabilization and restoration.

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Baker Island Restoration Work Helped By Friends Of Acadia - National Parks Traveler

WHEN Christian and Ana Cox found this Georgian townhouse, tucked behind Windsor Castle, in 2010, it was a shadow of its former self. One of three houses that had been clumsily converted into offices for an insurance company, its glorious original features had been stripped out and it had no floors and no roof.

The only original feature was an ornate fanlight above the front door and the mahogany staircase, recalls Christian, who runs a property development and design company. It felt like the bones of a fish, once youve finished eating it. But we fell in love with the Georgian faade and the staircase.

It was only after the couple met the landlord of the nearby 16th-century pub, Two Brewers, who produced pictures and paper cuttings of everything to do with historic Park Street, that they were able to piece together images of the original cornicing, the shade of the mortar and the shape of original bookshelves and cupboards. Scaffolding had been holding the house up for around seven years but was now unsafe.

A few weeks into the refurbishment, we had a message from a member of staff at the castle that the Queen was delighted the scaffolding had come down and her view of Park Street had improved vastly, Christian says. We took that as a joke.

It then took us almost a year to refurbish it and create this nearly 3,000sq ft home. It was a lot of work.

Today the exquisite Grade II-listed, four-bed property is a comfortable home to Ana, Christian and their children, James and Clara. It has been restored to its magnificent origins, with lofty 13ft-ceilings in the hall and lavish living rooms, and has been beautifully adapted to modern living. All the bathrooms, and the tiled living areas on the lower-ground floor, have underfloor heating and theres air-conditioning in the splendid master bedroom, with its enormous dressing area (once a separate room), outdoor terrace and elegant en-suite bathroom. At the back of the house, an incredible double-height glass atrium has been added, with sliding doors leading into a lush and leafy landscaped garden.

Then in 2012, when the Coxes received an answerphone message, from the castle to inform the couple that they were to receive an award from the Royal family for the beautiful home they had recreated, they thought it was a prank.

I told my wife about it, but deleted the voicemail, Christian recalls. I thought it was a friend playing a joke.

But 12 days later, a lovely chap from the 2012 Windsor Facelift came to the house concerned we hadnt RSVPd and explained we were receiving an award for works in improving Park Street.

Two days later the Coxes received the award from Prince Edward and Sophie, Countess of Wessex. The photo now sits among a gallery of family pictures in their hallway. But it is the recreation of this glorious house that continues to give them the greatest pleasure a home which sagely nods to the past but has all the facilities desirable for contemporary living.

The grand living room boasts original working fireplaces, engineered oak floors, exquisitely recreated coving, and enormous sash windows to front and rear. There are two vast mirrors one of which craftily conceals the television and a grand piano.

Huge sash windows at the front overlook the stables block at the back of Windsor Castle where the Coxes have often seen Prince Philips carriage horses being exercised.

The kitchen has large, slabbed porcelain floor tiles, an island and classic Corian work surfaces.

In the dining room, within the vast glass atrium, a 19ft x 5ft bespoke picture, created on perspex, depicts family and friends in front of the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona the couple once lived in the city for six months.

From the top of the atrium, a Bocci pendant light-fitting, with hand-blown glass globes, adds sparkle and drama.

A nearby snug or playroom features a panel of wallpaper showing an 1850s map of Windsor, while another wall boasts an historic map of Notting Hill, another former home for the couple.

On the landing to the top floor, there are two further bedrooms, one with expansive views of the nearby Great Park, and a study.

A Holloways of Ludlow Swan chandelier holds pride of place, while a galleried family bathroom has a remote-controlled velux skylight, which is a constant delight to the children. The greatest challenge in creating this outstanding family home was the sheer amount of dirt we had to remove from the garden says Christian, as some 300 tonnes of mortar, rubble and dirt were taken out to restore it to its former level. He happily admits, however, that he left much of the day-to-day negotiations with builders down to his wife.

Ana runs the builders, he says. Im far too easy going, Im told. Im happy to leave early to the pub and tell them to get on with it.

The couple is selling with great reluctance and because they now have a third child on the way. It has been wonderful here, but it is a townhouse, Ana says.

I feel with a larger family we need a different kind of home. But it will be a wrench to leave this one.

Park Street is on the market for 2.95million, struttandparker.com

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Property: How the restoration of one Windsor home met with a Royal seal of approval - Metro Newspaper UK