The '100 Most Endangered Sites' list
brings to the forefront of world attention, 100 irreplaceable architectural
and archaeological sites; from the Valley of the Kings in Egypt, Machu
Picchu in Peru to St. Francis Church and Monastery in Gorton, East Manchester.
Gorton Monastery is an unusual case
as it has already been on the 1998/99 and 2000/01 list. It is very rare
for buildings to remain on the list.
There are three criteria for selection on the Watch
list :-
- The significance of the site
- The urgency of the problem
- The viability for action
Trust Chairman, Elaine Griffiths said,
"we are delighted that Gorton Monastery has been supported by the
WMF. Considerable progress has been made. The Monastery Trust has developed
a viable and sustainable new use for their future but substantial funding
still has to be secured. This listing emphasises the importance of the
site and the urgency to find the much needed funds".
http://www.wmf.org.uk/
The World Monuments Fund is the only
private charity dedicated to the preservation of the great monuments
of the world. Its work is based on the conviction that these monuments
belong in a very real sense to the world as a whole. 'The World Monument
Fund's international Watch List is an index of some of the most important
endangered buildings in the world. Gorton Church and Monastery exactly
fits the description as it represents the kind of giant 19th century
edifice that has a strong and distinctive architectural character but
no longer has an active life. Once the monks had gone, only a dynamic
new use could save the buildings and WMF fully supports the plans that
will rescue the complex in the best way by giving it an exciting and
new purpose.' Colin Amery, World Monument Fund in Britain. Since its
foundation in 1965 the WMF has been wholly or partly responsible for
the restoration of well over 100 buildings and sites, ranging from Easter
Island to Angkor in Cambodia. In 1997 WMF is at work on 64 different
projects across the world.
To make available today the heritage
of man's extraordinary past achievements by encouraging the restoration
and preservation of monuments of exceptional artistic, historical and
cultural significance throughout the world. By raising the awareness
of the need to preserve our global architectural heritage, WMF acts
as a catalyst for heritage conservation projects all over the world.
Thanks to the generous support of its trustees and benefactors, many
great monuments - which would otherwise have been demolished or have
crumbled away - have been and will continue to be preserved for posterity.
For more information please contact
World Monuments Fund Britain
2 Grosvenor Gardens
London, SW1W 0DH, UK
tel (+44) 20 7730 5344
fax (+44) 20 7730 5355
Enquiries: enquiries@wmf.org.uk
Website: www.wmf.org.uk
World Monuments Fund
95 Madison Avenue, 9th floor
New York, New York 10016
tel (+1) 646 424-9594
fax (+1) 646 424 9593
Enquiries: wmf@wmf.org
Website: www.wmf.org
