Date:
19th October 2009Contact:
Malcolm HankeyOrganisation:
Civic Trust Awards
The Civic Trust Awards is honoured to announce a new Special Award for 2010 - a memorial to former Director of the Civic Trust, Michael Middleton CBE who sadly passed away in August, aged 91.
Michael was appointed when the Civic Trust was founded in 1957 by Winston Churchill’s son-in-law Lord Duncan Sandys. He was an instrumental figure in the fight to preserve the quality and character of our built environment with a particular passion for the conservation of historic buildings. Considered to be a visionary, a pioneer and decades before the environment became fashionable in Britain, Michael Middleton was one of its most farsighted and influential custodians.
The Michael Middleton Award will be presented to a conservation project or new build within a conservation area, selected from this year’s group of winning schemes.
Michael’s daughter, Rose Yates said “the Awards were very close to my father’s heart and meant a huge amount to him. My family and I think it is a wonderful idea and know how proud my father would have been to see an Award given in his name.”
Civic Trust Awards Advisory Group and National Panel member Victor Rose has worked on the scheme since its inception in 1959. Victor said “Michael was someone I considered to be a mentor and a friend. He was instrumental in establishing a concept for the Civic Trust Awards which is still as strong today as it was over 50 years ago. Michael believed very strongly in environmental issues and had a keen interest in conservation.”
Managing Director, Malcolm Hankey said “I am extremely grateful to Michael’s family for allowing us to commission this Special Award. The news will be very well received by everyone connected to the Civic Trust Awards.”
The Awards scheme has received 335 entries this year which are being assessed throughout October and November. The short-list of winners will be published in January with the Awards announcement event taking place in March 2010.
