Strawberry Hill not the only historic house in Twickenham (From Richmond and Twickenham Times)

Strawberry Hill not the only historic house in Twickenham

7:40am Friday 21st May 2004 in

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THE high profile given to Strawberry Hill House through the BBC Restoration programme must not detract attention from other neglected monuments, says a Tory politician.

Strawberry Hill, a magnificent Gothic residence, is competing for funding as part of the TV show, presented by Griff Rhys Jones.

Paul Maynard, Conservative prospective parliamentary candidate for Twickenham, said: "I'm thrilled that local people have the chance to get behind this superb building. The Friends of Strawberry Hill do a superb job in promoting the conservation of this Georgian Gothic gem. I am sure that everyone in Twickenham will get behind the project.

"But I wonder whether local people realise just how many other historic buildings in Twickenham are currently at risk? There are six other buildings in the Twickenham area alone on English Heritage's Buildings at Risk register. I know we are fortunate to have a number of very active civic amenity societies that work hard on preserving our local heritage.

"But I hope the council will do all it can to ensure that the other six can be saved before they get beyond the point of repair.

"Our heritage is something we ignore at our peril. If we only notice it when we are about to lose it, then we are doing a disservice to the future generations who will not be able to enjoy these architectural gems," he added.

The structures on English Heritage's Buildings at Risk register are the Kilmorey Mausoleum; Loggia and grotto at Thames Eyot, Cross Deep; Pope's Grotto, Cross Deep; Old Brew House, Bushy Park; Boat House No. 5, Platts Eyot, Hampton; Normansfield Hospital and Hospital Theatre, Teddington.