King’s Lynn’s young craftsman taught traditional set of skills

Students at the College of West Anglia got to learn about heritage building skills - Luke Jenkins has a try at working with different metals. Picture: Matthew Usher. (Image: © Archant Norfolk 2014)

This is the start of a series of projects which the College of West Anglia (CWA) is working with West Norfolk Borough Council on, as part of the King's Lynn Townscape Heritage Initiative (THI).

The THI scheme aims to repair buildings and get empty property back in order on traditional shopping streets in King's Lynn.

The workshops held at CWA and run by the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings, gave students expert led knowledge on brick, timber and flint.

Students were also given toured walks to observe the methods, in the St Margaret's conservation area.

Councillor Alistair Beales, cabinet member for regeneration, added: 'This programme will give students a taster of the specialist skills required to maintain and repair old buildings. We are hoping that it will inspire many of our young people to really consider the issues and to go on to develop the necessary skills to help repair and conserve our wonderful heritage for others.'

In addition, photography, graphic design, history and business students are working on separate projects, in conjunction with students from King's Lynn Academy.

They are designing suggestions for the area, shops and front of buildings –including premises that are currently vacant, to attract new businesses into the area.

The designs will be showcased at an exhibition next spring.

Course director for photography and graphic design, Vince Hart, said: 'This is a great opportunity for our students to showcase their design skills and potentially influence the future look of the town.'

Do you have any West Norfolk business stories? Email kieran.lynch@archant.co.uk