A GROUP set up to help save the listed part of the former Raven Hotel building has issued a rallying call for people to join the campaign.
Raven Heartbeat is working with Droitwich Spa Civic Society, local councillors and Wychavon District Council to give the historic parts of the building a future for the community.
And while it admits, because of the damage caused by the devastating fire earlier this year, it will never be a hotel again, campaigners are determined to keep its memory alive and repurpose it for the town.
The group already has a retired solicitor in its ranks, along with a host of other members who all have an interest in history, old buildings or both. And it is hoping to enlist many other Droitwich residents and people with a field of expertise – whether they are passionate about the Raven itself, the town’s heritage or have experience in architecture, building or historic building conservation.
Picture by Nicky Roberts. s
The group is chaired by Mike Meredith, who is also the Droitwich Spa Civic Society chair, with both organisations pooling their knowledge and resources for one of the town’s oldest buildings.
There are main parts of the building the group is hoping to first protect, preserve and conserve. The first is the timber framed structure which dates back to the 1500s and the ‘bookend’ buildings either side which were designed by John Cotton and commissioned by Salt King John Corbett from the 1800s.
So many memories
Speaking to the Standard this week, the Raven Heartbeat group said: “There are so many people with fond memories of The Raven – whether they stayed there or went there for a special occasion, such as a wedding, anniversary, birthday party or Christening.
“We are not interested in the newer buildings on the site which – under the current application going through planning – will be demolished and replaced with housing. This can still go ahead and the homes built as planned.”
The listed parts – which were going to be used for the Brine Baths – are no longer needed for that purpose. The latest proposals mooted would see the Brine Baths relocated to the Lido.
“A lot of the current planning application – on the section we are interested in – is null and void because the damage sustained would not enable those proposals to physically be carried out,” said the group.
“We feel it is in everybody’s interest for the listed parts to be acquired so they could be used for a future community use.”
The group added, while there had not been much to report publicly recently, Raven Heartbeat wants the people of Droitwich to know it has not been forgotten – there is a lot of work going on behind the scenes.
The first priority is to get the building covered to prevent further weather damage and protect it through the winter months.
Meetings between Raven Heartbeat’s leadership, the group and the council and one public meeting have already been held.
The next public meeting is at 7pm on Tuesday, October 14, in the upstairs room of The Old Cock Inn and everyone is welcome to attend.
Search for ‘Raven Heartbeat Facebook page for more on the campaign.
