Design Award for New Church Inspired by Age-Old Style

A new church that reinterprets the iconic and traditional Norfolk round tower has won this year's Graham Allen Award for Conservation and Design, awarded by North Norfolk District Council.

The innovative and contemporary Roman Catholic Church of the Annunciation is a new feature at the heart of the pilgrimage centre of Little Walsingham. It sits in Friday Market Place, in Walsingham's Conservation Area, and replaces a temporary church that had stood there since the 1950s.

The Diocese of East Anglia, which commissioned the building, and local architect Anthony Rossi, whose design paid meticulous attention to detail and incorporated natural materials and renewable energy technology, will be recognised tomorrow (Thursday, 20 September) when they are given the award at a presentation in Cromer.

The award will be presented by Edward Allen, the son of the late Graham Allen, North Norfolk District Council's first Chairman and a champion of building conservation, at 12.30pm in the Committee Room at the District Council's head office at Holt Road, Cromer.

The media are welcome to attend this presentation, which includes a buffet lunch.

The Norfolk Wildlife Trust's new eco-friendly visitor centre overlooking the nature reserve at Cley marshes was highly commended in the award scheme, for its sympathetic and contemporary low-profile design. A project of new homes and repairs at Cleaves Almshouses in Walsingham received a commendation.

Now in its 26th year, the annual Graham Allen Award scheme rewards projects that make an important contribution to North Norfolk's distinctive built environment.

• For more information about the scheme, call Chris Young on 01263 516138.

ENDS