News Release Page Title

24 November 2000

MEDIA RELEASE ISSUED ON BEHALF OF THE HISTORIC BUILDINGS COUNCIL

Peter Mandelson Presents Prizes to Local 'Architectives'

Three pupils from Hillsborough Primary School and their parents had a special treat today when Secretary of State Peter Mandelson presented them with their prizes for their European Heritage Open Days' "Architective" entries.

Eleven year olds Adam Powell won the first prize of a camera, and brother and sister Harry and Lily Price both won book tokens and met the Secretary of State at Hillsborough Castle.

In September children across Northern Ireland took up the opportunity to be 'Architectives' and investigated buildings which opened for European Heritage Open Days. Over 150 properties across Northern Ireland threw open their doors to the public to join in this celebration including the Secretary of State's official residence, Hillsborough Castle. An amazing 1,700 visitors came to the Castle over the weekend out of a total of 21,500 visits Provincewide.

Primrose Wilson, of the organisers Historic Buildings Council, said:

"European Heritage Open Days provide both the young and old with a wonderful opportunity to visit buildings they would normally never see. The success of the 'Architective' challenge shows that children like Adam, Lily and Harry find buildings that are around them interesting and notice many details that adults would miss. It is important that we encourage participation by younger visitors as they are the future custodians of our built heritage".

NOTES TO EDITORS:

  1. Historic Buildings Council of Northern Ireland is a statutory advisory council to the DOE.

  2. European Heritage Open Days (EHD) is a Council of Europe initiative, celebrated annually in over 45 countries. Its aim is to bring European citizens closer to the wealth of their architectural and cultural heritage, which gives each region its special identity.

  3. Sponsorship for EHD has been provided by Environment and Heritage Service, Northern Ireland Millennium Company, Heritage Lottery Fund, and the Community Relations Council.

  4. EHD is held annually each September.

  5. The Architective Challenge was organised by the Historic Buildings Council in conjunction with the Ulster Architectural Heritage Society.

  6. For more information, telephone Paula Kernohan on (028) 90543078 or email paula.kernohan@doeni.gov.uk.