This afternoon both the Telegraph and the BBC are reporting the purchase of Evans brothers by English Heritage. To quote the BBC:
Dr Simon Thurley, chief executive, said its loss “would not just be a blow for Birmingham but for the world”.
He explained: “We now need to secure its long term future both as a business and as somewhere people can learn about the source of goods with which Birmingham supplied the Empire.”
The Jewellery Quarter has a network of 19th and early 20th Century terraces with workshops built in the back gardens.
The JW Evans building was described as “unique as the most complete repository of the traditional craft skills, industrial processes, tools, machinery and archive materials that epitomise this important facet of our industrial past”.
The city council said English Heritage’s commitment builds upon “great work” already under way to preserve and enhance the area.
Birmingham Conservation Trust has been working on finding the best route forward for the remarkable buildings and the history they hold. This is complex problem to unravel but it’s great news to know that JW Evans is secured.
I heard about your project to save J.W.Evans on the radio and then found your website.
My father Frank Evans and his very good friend Jack Ingram rented a workshop at56,Albion Street from around 1950 until about 1996. The workshop was on the top floor and can only be described as Dickension. I always loved going to visit there to watch them work and so did my children and grandson as time went by.
They traded under the name of Ingram and Evans and did all sorts of work i.e. making up silver tea services, candle sticks etc. Dad worked well into his eighties but sadly passed away in 2006.
It is so good to hear that these buildings are being preserved and I know Dad and Jack would be
too.
Dad left all the tools that he worked with at the shop when he retired. I shall look forward to visiting again when all is finished.
If I can help with any more information please get in touch.
Said by Sue Middleton April 23, 2008 at about 11:44 am
Hello Sue,
Thanks very much for the comment. We’ve got your e-mail address and will keep in touch.
Said by admin April 26, 2008 at about 3:05 pm