MEDIA RELEASE
Issued by Riquita D’Souza Corporate Communications Officer
Consultation & Communication Department
Town Hall, The Parade, Epsom, Surrey, KT18 5BY
email: rdsouza@epsom-ewell.gov.uk
Telephone (direct): 01372 732083
Reference: PR13 011
Date: Tuesday 15 May 2013
Restoration of The Durdans Stables nominated for English Heritage Angel Awards 2013
Local resident and businessman Philip Buckman has been nominated for the English Heritage Angel Awards by
Epsom & Ewell Borough Council for the restoration of The Durdans Stables including a Grade 2 star listed
Indoor Riding School dating back to the 19th century.
The annual English Heritage Angel Awards, founded by Andrew Lloyd Webber and supported by the Telegraph,
celebrate the efforts of local people who have rescued a historic building, place or landmark at risk.
The Angel Awards include four award categories and Philip Buckman has been nominated for the award
category of ‘The best rescue of a listed building, scheduled monument, registered garden, landscape or
battlefield, protected wreck or conservation area’.
Philip Buckman and his family acquired the historic racing stables complex in 2010 and have since worked hard
as well as investing much of their life’s savings in repairs and restoration, rescuing the complex and repairing
the historic fabric, creating a commercially successful business in race horse and livery use.
Various essential repairs were carried out on the listed buildings on the site and in particular, the Durdans
Stables restoration project included the re-roofing in Cornish slate of the listed Indoor Riding School built for
Lord Rosebery when he was the MP for Epsom at the end of the 19th century.
The re-roofing of the indoor Riding School required Philip to meet the strict guidelines laid down by both English
Heritage and Epsom & Ewell Borough Council. A specialist project manager was appointed specifically for this
part of the repair works, which were given Listed Building Consent by the Council.
English Heritage contributed half the cost of the re-roofing project through a grant aid. Dr Andy Brown, Planning
and Conservation Director for English Heritage in the South East said, "We are delighted that the Riding School
at the Durdans will remain in equestrian use and is no longer 'at risk'. We are pleased to have contributed an
£85,000 grant towards the re-roofing of this remarkable building which is such a distinctive feature of the local
scene."
Councillor Jean Smith, Heritage Design Champion for Epsom & Ewell Borough Council said, "Philip Buckman is
a worthy nominee for the English Heritage Angel Awards for his efforts in rescuing these historic racing stables.
The Durdans is believed to be one of only two historic indoor riding buildings left intact in the country. His
devotion, sheer hard work and determination have ensured that it stays at the heart of the equestrian community
for many years to come by giving the buildings a long term sustainable future.
We wish him all the best with the Awards and are pleased to have been part of restoration project."
SIX KEY PRIORITIES
Economic Vitality, Sustainability, Visual Appearance, Quality of Life, Safer and Stronger Communities, Managing Resources
SIX CORE VALUES
Customer Focus, Valuing Staff, Equality & Diversity, Continuous Improvement, Value for Money, Openness and Honesty
ONE VISION
Making Epsom & Ewell an excellent place to live and work
MEDIA RELEASE
Issued by Riquita D’Souza Corporate Communications Officer
Consultation & Communication Department
Town Hall, The Parade, Epsom, Surrey, KT18 5BY
email: rdsouza@epsom-ewell.gov.uk
Telephone (direct): 01372 732083
Philip Buckman added, “Restoring the Durdans to their former glory has been a huge challenge but we now
have a thriving equestrian business making use of all the listed buildings. It is a true family business with my
eldest daughter and her trainer husband running the racing side of the stables, my youngest daughter the livery
side, my wife cleaning the tack and the tea room and me doing odd jobs across the 55 acre site. We look after
nearly 50 horses. The restoration project was greatly aided by the support of English Heritage and Epsom &
Ewell Borough Council”.
For more information on the English Heritage Angel Awards visit www.english-heritage.org.uk/caring/angelawards/English-Heritage-Angel-Awards or email angels@english-heritage.org.uk
For more information on The Durdans Stables visit www.thedurdansliverystables.co.uk
For more information on the re-roofing restoration project contact Epsom & Ewell Borough Council's Planning
Department on 01372 732000 or email contactus@epsom-ewell.gov.uk
ENDS
Notes to Editors:
For more information on the Angel Awards nomination please contact Philip Buckman on 07930 915243.
The Durdans Stables is a livery yard set on 55 acres of land in the heart of Epsom, with private access to the
beautiful countryside of the North Downs.
It was designed by George Devey for Lord Rosebery in 1881 and is the oldest racing yard standing in Epsom.
The yard dates back to the 19th century and contains many stunning aspects such as the listed indoor arena.
Lord Rosebery was a well-known horse breeder and racehorse owner.
The Durdans stables have been described as being the “finest in the country” in The Victorian Dictionary,
compiled by Lee Jackson.
Borough facts
The Council is made up of 38 seats: 26 Residents’ Associations, 6 Liberal Democrats; 3 Conservatives; 3 Labour.
The population is approximately 72,700. This is the smallest population of all the Surrey districts.
Epsom & Ewell has around 2,000 acres of open space. It covers an area of 8,500 acres.
Epsom is famous as a 1600s spa town, for Epsom Salts, an active horseracing and training industry and as the home of the
annual Derby.
SIX KEY PRIORITIES
Economic Vitality, Sustainability, Visual Appearance, Quality of Life, Safer and Stronger Communities, Managing Resources
SIX CORE VALUES
Customer Focus, Valuing Staff, Equality & Diversity, Continuous Improvement, Value for Money, Openness and Honesty
ONE VISION
Making Epsom & Ewell an excellent place to live and work