The Ringwood Society was delighted to present its annual Design and Conservation awards on 22nd October 2024, with two awards and a commendation being presented by Society President, Steve Rippon-Swaine and Society Chairman, Joe Moorhouse. The awards, delivered at the Society’s annual Autumn Open Meeting at Greyfriars Community Centre are the flagship event of the Society calendar. The awards, first launched in 1981, were revamped two years ago, and are awarded annually.
The award for Best Residential Project went to Mr & Mrs Levell for their Christchurch Road Restoration, which was judged to be a testament to hard work and attention to detail in the remodelling of their home. Modern cladding was removed, traditional render reinstated and new sash windows were installed, transforming the property.
The Best Commercial Project award went to Rose & Lily Florals Ltd for their new signage and shopfront at their shop on Christchurch Road. The Society noted that having taking over the long-standing florists in the town last year, Zoe Wallis, assisted by Rebecca Galton, had transformed the look of the shop with a new look that blended the best of tradition with the best of contemporary graphics and colour palettes. The new style was designed by Zoe’s sister Lily and the signage was manufactured and installed by local company Letters & Logos.
Head of this years judging panel and local Chartered Architect; Alex Bancroft noted that “the 2024 Ringwood Society Design and Conservation Awards were perhaps the closest run in recent years, highlighting the high standard of design our historic town continues to attract.” He continued, “perhaps the toughest category this year was for the Commercial award with several businesses being considered for an award.”
As a result of this, the Society awarded a Commendation to Lindy Stuart Studio for the signage at their brand new premises in the town, having relocated here from Christchurch. The judges were particularly impressed by the crisp graphic style that the signage, produced by Signs of Distinction of Christchurch, had embraced and felt this to be a key part of the renaissance of the shopping area in this part of the town.
Nominations for the 2025 Ringwood Society Design and Conservation Awards are now open, and details of how to nominate a project are available on the Society website, along with full details of all of this years and previous years winners at www.ringwoodsociety.org.uk/awards