THE Village Alive Trust, a local building preservation trust, is aiming to recognise historic building conservation work carried out by others in Monmouthshire by offering Awards for Building Conservation.

Since 2004 the Trust has secured grant-aid to rescue listed agricultural buildings such as the Cwm Farm Cider House at Llangattock Lingoed. The current project is the restoration of the Grade II* corn barn at Great Tre-rhew Farm, Llanvetherine.

The Trust’s vice-president, Edward Holland, who is projects advisor for The Prince’s Regeneration Trust, said: “The Trust acknowledges that there is good historic building conservation being carried out across Monmouthshire, and we are delighted to be launching this series of Awards for Building Conservation. We hope it will promote best practice and will encourage those who have worked hard to complete a successful historic buildings project.”

The award will relate to specific nominated buildings and is principally intended to commend the owner or person who commissioned the work, but by association will also commend the professionals involved in the project.

The work should be carried out on a building or structure in Monmouthshire between January 1st 2004 and December 31st 2008. The applications will be assessed by a panel that includes professionals in the field of conservation.

The first Village Alive Trust Awards for Building Conservation will be made in June 2009 and each winner will receive a specially commissioned plaque for the award-winning buildings, as well as a certificate for the owner and any professionals involved in the work.

Awards will be given for work that demonstrate exemplar restoration following best practice; rescue of a building on Monmouthshire County Council’s register of buildings at risk; exceptional design in alteration or conversion of an historic building or conservation of a specific feature or artefact associated with an historic building.

Application forms can be downloaded from www.villagealivetrust.org.uk and should be sent to Awards Secretary, Old Shop, Skenfrith, Abergavenny, Monmouthshire, NP7 8UH. The closing date for applications is 31st January 2009*.

*Extended to 28th February 2009.