This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-gloucestershire-22240142

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Bourton-on-the-Water model village gets listed status Bourton-on-the-Water model village gets listed status
(about 5 hours later)
A model village in Gloucestershire, thought to be one of the oldest in England, has been Grade II listed.A model village in Gloucestershire, thought to be one of the oldest in England, has been Grade II listed.
Work on the Bourton-on-the-Water attraction began in 1936. It took local builders five years to complete and is an exact replica of the village.Work on the Bourton-on-the-Water attraction began in 1936. It took local builders five years to complete and is an exact replica of the village.
English Heritage said with such excellent craftsmanship, the "charming creation" deserved its recognition.English Heritage said with such excellent craftsmanship, the "charming creation" deserved its recognition.
"It's great. It shows that we're a unique site, there's nothing else like us," said owner Julian Atherton."It's great. It shows that we're a unique site, there's nothing else like us," said owner Julian Atherton.
"There are other model villages but there are none that are Cotswold stone on the scale of an actual village."There are other model villages but there are none that are Cotswold stone on the scale of an actual village.
"So it's really nice that English Heritage has bothered to pick us out and make us listed.""So it's really nice that English Heritage has bothered to pick us out and make us listed."
'Highly unusual''Highly unusual'
The village is made from authentic materials such as locally-quarried limestone and miniature Cotswold stone slates.The village is made from authentic materials such as locally-quarried limestone and miniature Cotswold stone slates.
The models are so detailed, visitors are even able to see pews inside the parish church of St Lawrence through delicately stained-glass windows.The models are so detailed, visitors are even able to see pews inside the parish church of St Lawrence through delicately stained-glass windows.
They can even recognise the waterways flowing through the village that use running water from the village itself.They can even recognise the waterways flowing through the village that use running water from the village itself.
Co-owner Vicki Atherton, said the village was "pretty much the same" as when it was completed in 1941.
She said: "There's obviously a lot of repairs and renewals that have to be done but Bourton has got 117 listed buildings in it so not very much changes in the structure of the buildings.
"The only thing that really changes is the ownership of the shops - there's only one building in the whole of the high street which we would like to build in the next few months really."
Due to the ongoing repairs, the village owners use a full-time stonemason and maintenance man to keep the buildings in good order.
The model's Grade II-status from Heritage Minister Ed Vaizey, means its "special interest" must be taken into account if changes to its appearance or location are proposed.The model's Grade II-status from Heritage Minister Ed Vaizey, means its "special interest" must be taken into account if changes to its appearance or location are proposed.
"This may be a highly unusual listing but it is no less worthy of its Grade II-listed status," said Mr Vaizey."This may be a highly unusual listing but it is no less worthy of its Grade II-listed status," said Mr Vaizey.
"The craftsmanship involved in creating what is a hugely loved family attraction is second to none.""The craftsmanship involved in creating what is a hugely loved family attraction is second to none."
English Heritage, who advised the on the listing, said the attraction is thought to be the second ever built in the UK, the first being Bekonscot at Beaconsfield in Buckinghamshire.English Heritage, who advised the on the listing, said the attraction is thought to be the second ever built in the UK, the first being Bekonscot at Beaconsfield in Buckinghamshire.
Deborah Williams from the organisation said the model's value was "greatly added to" by the number of listed buildings it records and the fact it is set within the grounds of a Grade II listed pub.Deborah Williams from the organisation said the model's value was "greatly added to" by the number of listed buildings it records and the fact it is set within the grounds of a Grade II listed pub.
Many of the original buildings in Bourton-on-the-Water are listed themselves, with the oldest dating back to the 17th Century.Many of the original buildings in Bourton-on-the-Water are listed themselves, with the oldest dating back to the 17th Century.