Civic dignitaries from across the region gathered in Norwich to celebrate the success of this year’s RICS East of England Award winners and shortlisted entrants.

Dozens of entrants, winners and dignitaries, from the region’s county and district councils, gathered at Assembly House in the city for the annual Awards 2008 Civic Ceremony. The event was an opportunity for the winners to celebrate their success with their local civic dignitaries, as well as recognise all the excellent entries that were shortlisted and have made a fantastic contribution to the region’s built environment. 

Among those who attended the event was Peter Wilson, chief executive of the Theatre Royal in Norwich, which won the overall RICS East of England ‘Project of the Year’ Award 2008. He was joined by Tim Foster, partner of Tim Wilson Architects, who designed and managed the refurbishment project, which also picked up the community benefit award at the RICS awards ceremony, at Hatfield House, Hertfordshire.

Civic dignitaries who attended, to meet and congratulate their local area winners and shortlisted projects, included Norfolk County Council chairman, Wyndham Northam; North Norfolk District Council chairman, Sue Arnold; the Deputy Mayor of Bury St Edmunds, councillor Margaret Charlesworth; the Mayor of Thurrock, councillor John Everett and the Mayor of Maldon, councillor David Denyer.

William Knight FRICS, the vice chairman of the RICS East of England regional board, who organised the reception, said: “We had some fantastic entries submitted to this year’s awards and this annual celebration of the awards was an opportunity to celebrate the winning projects with civil dignitaries from across the East of England. 

"The event also recognised the contribution that the many short-listed projects have made to our region’s built environment and was also a great opportunity for those attending to network with colleagues from right across the construction sector.”

Other winners expected to attend tomorrow’s civic reception are:
Building Conservation category
• Winner - Beeleigh Abbey, near Maldon, Essex
• Highly commended – West Front of Bury Abbey, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk 
• Highly commended – Theatre Royal, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk.

Regeneration category
• Winner - RSPB Environment and Education Centre, Purfleet, Essex.

Sustainability category
• Winner - Kingspan Lighthouse, Watford, Hertfordshire
• Highly commended – Roche Headquarters, Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire.