New heritage 'risk list' unveiled

A historic Grade II-listed church in Birmingham destroyed by fire has recovered to become a thriving community hub.

St Barnabas Church in Erdington was ravaged by fire in an arson attack in 2007, but has recovered so well that it has now been removed from the English Heritage 'at risk' register.

The church, which dates back to 1824, reopened in December last year with a special dedication ceremony. It is now a popular meeting place for community groups, and holds regular coffee mornings.

The congregation were forced to worship in other locations while the restoration works were carried out.

An "army" of heritage fans will be recruited to help restore historic listed buildings to their former glory, it was announced today.

As it announces its latest 'at risk' register of landmark buildings slipping into disrepair, English Heritage said it wanted to recruit volunteers for next year to help survey around 345,000 Grade II-listed libraries, homes, factories and other buildings.

English Heritage chief executive Simon Thurley said the scheme is being rolled out after a "successful" trial with 350 volunteers covering seven areas including Worcester.

"It means we will eventually get, for the first time, a complete picture of the condition of all England's listed heritage," he added.

"We can use this information to decide how best to deploy our national expertise to help owners and all those tackling heritage at risk on the ground."

The 18th century Manor House at Thorpe Mandeville is among the buildings to be added to the English Heritage 'at risk' register.

There have been concerns over the lack of repairs to the sloping roof, with evidence of slates slipping out of position, missing tiles and leaking gutters.

A 200-year-old mill in Nottinghamshire has been taken off the English Heritage 'at risk' register thanks to the work of volunteers.

North Leverton Windmill in Retford is among 30 sites in the East Midlands to make it off this year's list.

The mill began producing animal feed and flour in 1813 but fell into disrepair.

Thanks to volunteers and local businesses, extensive repairs were carried out and it is now fully operational once more.

An 18th century church in Birmingham which was destroyed in a blaze has been removed from English Heritage's 'at risk' register.

St Barnabas Church in Erdington was reopened last year after the devastating blaze five years earlier.

The blaze ripped through the Grade II-listed building in an arson attack in 2007, taking the roof and most of the stained glass windows with it.

After a huge fundraising effort with more than £5million spent on restoring it, it reopened in December with a special dedication ceremony.