Manx National Heritage is delighted to have been awarded the Institute of Historic Building Conservation North West Conservation Award for conservation of the Great Laxey Wheel.
The award is presented annually for the project that demonstrates best historic building conservation practice in the North West. It is open to Institute of Historic Building Conservation members involved in historic building conservation projects within Greater Manchester, Merseyside, Cheshire, Lancashire or the Isle of Man.
Paul Hartley, Chair of Institute of Historic Building Conservation North West, said:
“The judges considered this was a wonderful project, integrating conservation engineering with carefully specified and executed fabric repairs. The logistics of the project as well as the sourcing of the materials were noted as primary considerations in the granting of the award, reinforced by the highly unusual and exceptional nature of the project and the status and significance of the wheel to the Isle of Man”.
In the first phase of the project to conserve the Great Laxey Wheel, old render and defective timbers suffering decay were replaced, ironmongery repaired and the wheel, housing, railings and viewing platform repainted.
Standing static during her conservation, the world famous wheel began turning again in autumn 2022, concluding the first phase of the most comprehensive conservation project completed on Lady Isabella since her restoration almost 40 years ago.
Timbers for the second phase of the project recently arrived on site in preparation for imminent commencement of phase two of the project, in which the Laxey Wheel’s magnificent rod duct and T Rocker will be conserved and repaired.
Members of the public will be able to follow the progress of phase two on the Manx National Heritage facebook page facebook.com/manxnationalheritage this winter and on site at Laxey Wheel from Friday 29 March 2024.
ENDS
Image: John-Paul Walker (right) accepts Institute of Historic Building Conservation North West Conservation Award, for conservation of the Great Laxey Wheel from Architect Ashley Pettit representing the Institute of Historic Building Conservation.
Editor’s Notes
Designed by the Victorian engineer, Robert Casement, the wheel was completed in 1854 to pump water from the depths of the Laxey mines using water from Glen Mooar to power the wheel. The impressive 22.1 (72.6 feet) diameter structure found immediate popularity and has remained one of the Island’s most iconic and dramatic attractions for over 150 years.
Media contact:
Lynsey Clague BA (Hons) MCIPR
Communications Manager – Manx National Heritage
T: 01624 648032