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The nation votes for Watts Gallery - Restoration Village results from first
programme revealed
Presenter Griff Rhys Jones tonights reveal that the
nation has chosen Watts Gallery, Compton in Surrey, in the South East of England
to be the first building to go through to the final of this year's Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ TWO series Restoration Village.
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Last Friday (28 July), in the first episode of the new series, Griff called
upon viewers to make their mark on history and choose between Massey's Folly,
Upper Farringdon in Hampshire; Watts Gallery, Compton in Surrey and Tollesbury
Granary, Tollesbury, Essex.
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Mark Bills, Curator of Watts Gallery, said on hearing the result: "It's great news for Compton and great news for the nation. We're so grateful to everyone
who voted for us.
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"It's been a real community effort and it underlines the
importance of doing all we can to support and protect our heritage."
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Watts Gallery, Compton, Surrey
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George Frederic Watts, one of Britain's leading portrait painters in the late
19th century, lived in Compton for the last 13 years of his life.
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This Grade II*
listed gallery was built in the Arts & Crafts style by Watts and his
second wife, Mary - who was linked to William Morris and other members of the
Arts & Crafts movement - to provide art for all in rural areas, a meeting place
for the local community and accommodation for apprentice potters working in
Mary's pottery.
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The only purpose-built, one-man gallery in Britain, it still features Watts'
paintings, sculpture and drawings, but damp is beginning to destroy the fabric of
this richly decorated building.
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Villagers are committed to saving this unique
piece of British art history.
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This year the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) has set aside Β£1.9m for The
Restoration Fund to help restore the winners.
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Sheena Vick, HLF Manager for the
South East, said: "Watts Gallery is a heritage star at the very heart of
the community and we're delighted it has gone through to the final.
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"This new series once again gives the public the chance to have a say on which
building receives National Lottery funding through the HLF.
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"I'd like to
encourage people from all over the South East to really get behind their
finalist and guarantee them a future by pledging their votes."
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Tonight's result means Watts Gallery becomes one of eight buildings
to be featured in the live grand final to be held at Weald & Downland Open Air
Museum in September.
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Here a nationwide vote will decide which building should be
given a new lease of life with money raised throughout the course of the series.
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Three more of the nation's threatened architectural treasures in the South West
are tonight (Friday 4 August) vying for the public vote.
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They are the Rope Walk in West Coker,
Somerset; Welcombe Barton in Welcombe, Devon; and Newlyn Trinity Methodist
Chapel in Newlyn, West Cornwall.
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Details of local roadshows, being held this weekend to tie in with the
transmission of the episode, are available at bbc.co.uk/restoration.
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Next Friday's episode of Restoration Village (11 August) will reveal which of
these will become the second building to go through to the final.
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Lines are now
open and viewers can vote by calling 09013 600500.
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Voting lines for each programme are open from 12.01am every Friday until
midnight on Tuesday.
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If the building you voted for has not won its regional heat, don't give up hope.
It still has a chance.
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The runner-up with the most votes across the series will
become the eighth finalist and go through to compete for the Restoration prize
fund.
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Restoration Village is produced by Cheetah Television (part of Endemol UK) for
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Scotland.
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Information on all 21 buildings featured in the series is available through bbc.co.uk/restoration.
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Notes to Editors
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Each call will cost Β£1 with 77p going directly to the Restoration Fund, a
registered charity.
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Calls from a BT landline will cost Β£1. Calls from mobiles
and other networks may vary.
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Monies raised from the voting lines will be used
for the building that receives the most votes in the final provided it fulfils
the conditions set out by the Trustees of The Restoration Fund.
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KC
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