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Rare forge wins Restoration show Rare forge wins Restoration show
(10 minutes later)
A crumbling 19th century wheelwright with a blacksmith's workshop has had its future secured after winning the BBC Two's Restoration Village show. A crumbling 19th century wheelwright with a blacksmith's workshop has had its future secured after winning BBC Two's Restoration Village show.
Chedham's Yard in Wellesbourne, near Stratford-on-Avon, won the series which allows viewers to vote which building should be restored to its former glory.Chedham's Yard in Wellesbourne, near Stratford-on-Avon, won the series which allows viewers to vote which building should be restored to its former glory.
The third series of the programme has focused on delapidated rural buildings.The third series of the programme has focused on delapidated rural buildings.
Watts Gallery in Surrey came second in the poll and Dennis Head Old Beacon lighthouse on North Ronaldsay third.Watts Gallery in Surrey came second in the poll and Dennis Head Old Beacon lighthouse on North Ronaldsay third.
Andrea Miller, executive producer of Restoration Village, said the eight-week series had produced a "terrific result", with more than half a million votes cast in Sunday evening's final.Andrea Miller, executive producer of Restoration Village, said the eight-week series had produced a "terrific result", with more than half a million votes cast in Sunday evening's final.
She added that every building featured on the series was a winner.She added that every building featured on the series was a winner.
Chedham's Yard topped the poll of eight finalists from around the country, which also included a Methodist chapel, a Georgian watermill and slate quarry workshops.Chedham's Yard topped the poll of eight finalists from around the country, which also included a Methodist chapel, a Georgian watermill and slate quarry workshops.
Well-preservedWell-preserved
Supporters of Chedham's Yard hope to turn the workshop into a working museum with a blacksmith to provide training and education.Supporters of Chedham's Yard hope to turn the workshop into a working museum with a blacksmith to provide training and education.
The forge stands as a rare and well-preserved example of what village life was like in years gone by.The forge stands as a rare and well-preserved example of what village life was like in years gone by.
When work dried up at the forge in the late 1960s, owner Bill Chedham shut up shop, leaving all the contents untouched.When work dried up at the forge in the late 1960s, owner Bill Chedham shut up shop, leaving all the contents untouched.
The aim is to restore the property, while leaving it as close as possible to how it was when it was abandoned in 1968.The aim is to restore the property, while leaving it as close as possible to how it was when it was abandoned in 1968.
Former gloryFormer glory
During the series, presenter Griff Rhys Jones was joined by "ruin detectives" Ptolemy Dean and Marianne Suhr, who examined each of the buildings as supporters competed to secure the money needed to restore them.During the series, presenter Griff Rhys Jones was joined by "ruin detectives" Ptolemy Dean and Marianne Suhr, who examined each of the buildings as supporters competed to secure the money needed to restore them.
Viewers voting for the building they most wanted to see restored also helped raise a Restoration Fund of more than £2.35m.Viewers voting for the building they most wanted to see restored also helped raise a Restoration Fund of more than £2.35m.
The total includes £1.9m allocated by the Heritage Lottery Fund to the show.The total includes £1.9m allocated by the Heritage Lottery Fund to the show.
Ms Miller said: "Restoration seemed to awaken the nation to the need to save precious buildings, but Restoration Village seems to have gone further and touched a nerve about preserving the countryside and a way of life."Ms Miller said: "Restoration seemed to awaken the nation to the need to save precious buildings, but Restoration Village seems to have gone further and touched a nerve about preserving the countryside and a way of life."