HOWSHAM Mill in Ryedale has beaten off strong competition to win a major award from English Heritage.

The Mill was presented with the Angel Award for the ‘best rescue of an industrial building’ at the Palace Theatre in London on Monday night,

Founded by Andrew Lloyd Webber in 2011, the awards are given to local people who go to extraordinary lengths to rescue historic buildings and sites of all kinds that would otherwise be lost to ruin and decay.

Originally a flour mill, Howsham Mill has been restored back to its former glory using traditional methods, though progress was difficult due to four separate floods and vandalism. Backed by the Renewable Heritage Trust, its newly installed waterwheel has been supplying the National Grid since 2010. Watch the video.

Andrew Lloyd Webber said: “I’m thrilled to be on stage presenting awards for heritage rescues. This is the fourth year of the Angel Awards which I founded to bring public attention to all the amazing people who dedicate themselves to saving heritage at risk.

“I applaud our winners and indeed everyone who enters the Angels Awards – there are hundreds of unsung heritage heroes out there. It takes courage, tenacity and perseverance to tackle historic buildings at risk but the results make this country a better place for all for us."

Judges George Clarke, “Restoration Man”, Bettany Hughes, award-winning author, historian and broadcaster, and Emma Bridgewater, the famous pottery manufacturer, announced the winners and presented the awards.

Simon Thurley, Chief Executive of English Heritage, said: “Bringing life back to heritage at risk benefits the economy, provides jobs, training and opportunity for local communities and gives this country its deep and lasting advantage as a place to live, work and visit. Heritage organisations are here to champion, advise and guide but the hard work at the coal face is done by people like our Angels here tonight – local volunteers, owners, craftsmen and women. They are a true source of inspiration to us all.”

For more information on the winners see
www.english-heritage.org.uk/caring/angel-awards/winners-2014/