Heritage workshops will help residents care for Preston's historic buildings

Caring for Victorian and Georgian buildings will be the focus of three heritage workshops around Preston’s historic Winckley Square later this month.

The free sessions will be held on September 27 and will be of particular interest to people who own similar properties, or have an interest in the city’s older buildings.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for the people of Preston to gain knowledge of the fine Georgian town houses surrounding Winckley Square,” said Coun Robert Boswell, the council’s cabinet member for community and environment.

“The heritage workshops will provide useful information to maintain the character and the future of these architectural gems in and around Preston city centre.”

The sessions (3.30-6.30pm) are being hosted by Preston Vocational Centre. Each will feature a different topic - sash windows, stone and brickwork (pictured) and cast iron rainwater goods and railings.

“Most of the young craft students we see are aiming for a career in construction, but when the opportunity arises it’s good to welcome a wider audience too,” explained Martin Grayston, manager of the Vocational Centre. “We hope to see householders, architects and other practitioners - in addition to students - who have an interest in older property and want to gain an understanding of how maintenance theory transfers into practice.They might even save money through feeling brave enough to go home and do a little basic maintenance themselves.”

There will be only 15 places on each workshop.