A
campaign to save some of Britain's most historic buildings from
collapse is being launched as part of a ten part series on BBC
2 in August.
The
"Restoration" programme will feature thirty buildings at risk
of decay and neglect, including Birmingham's Coffin Factory in
the Jewellery Quarter. They'll all be competing to win the ultimate
prize - rescue from ruin!
 |
| Workers
at the Newman Bros Coffin Factory |
Newman
Brothers Coffin Factory
A fascinating bit of history dating back to 1882 has been unearthed
amidst the bustle of twenty first century Birmingham.
At
Newman Brothers they once employed one hundred people making traditional
features for coffins.
Rest
in Peace?
The company was reknowned all over the world until it closed in
1999. At the time of its closure, it was one of only three remaining
coffin furniture manufacturers in England. But despite that it's
not yet 'Rest in Peace' for the factory, there are plans to turn
it into a museum.
 |
| Cross
for coffin decoration |
In
the Press Shop many of the machines used to make brass plates
remain untouched while upstairs many of the shrouds are still
on display.
Grave
secrets
But it's not just a case of preserving the past, part of the building
is also planned to be converted into workshops for today's small
businesses.
So
it seems the Newman Brothers factory isn't quite ready to take
its secrets to the grave......
| Newman
Bros Coffin Factory will be featured on BBC2 on August 26
at 9pm in a three-way Midlands battle with Cromford Mill in
Derbyshire and Bethesda Chapel in Stoke-on-Trent. |
Viewers
can vote during transmission by calling: 0901 077 77 77
A
minimum of 17.9p from every phone vote (calls charged at 30p)
will go towards the Restoration Fund. Digital Satellite television
viewers may vote by pressing their remote control's RED button
during each programme, provided their set-top box is attached
to a telephone line.
Calls
are charged at 50p, 18p of which goes to the Restoration Fund.
