Pearson Park archway restoration commended by Civic Trust

The historic entrance archway to Hull’s oldest public park has been highly commended at the 2022 Civic Trust AABC Conservation Awards.

The project at Pearson Park was reviewed by the AABC national judging panel, which described the archway restoration was “a thoroughly researched project which overcomes complex issues with fabric repair”.

Councillor John Fareham, chairman of the Pearson Park Trust said: “This is fantastic news for the park and I thank the AABC judging panel for their comments, which are perfectly fitting for this unique project.”

The 150-year-old entrance gateway was awarded Engineering Heritage Listed Status by the Royal Institution of Mechanical Engineers earlier this year following its refurbishment by restoration specialists Lost Art in 2019.

The work was done as part of the park’s £3.8m National Lottery Heritage Fund restoration project.

The gateway was initially removed in more than 50 pieces from Pearson Avenue at the end of 2018 and transported to Lost Art’s workshop, where the extent of the corrosion to the structure was assessed and worked on.

Repairs ranged from infilling simple hairline cracks to more complex work including the recreation of some of the detailing lost over the years, which was rebuilt using original drawings and historic photographs.

Alongside this accolade, Pearson Park has now been shortlisted in the prestigious LGC awards in the community involvement category for community engagement work and public events in the park.

The team behind the project will now prepare to present to the judging panel in June before winners are announced in late July.

Coun Fareham said: “The LGC Awards are notoriously competitive and to be shortlisted is a great honour and credit to the hard work the team have put into this project.”