Leighton Buzzard Market Cross
Skillingtons recent conservation of the Leighton Buzzard market cross has won a Civic Trust Award. Project Architect, Rena Pitsilli-Graham, nominated the work. The judges said: “The project has not only preserved a significant historical landmark but also reinforced its cultural and aesthetic value to Leighton Buzzard’s community. It stands as a testament to the power of thoughtful conservation to connect people with their heritage while ensuring the integrity of historic structures.”
Leighton Buzzard Market Cross following conservation by Skillingtons in 2024.
The 2025 AABC Conservation Awards are for “projects which demonstrate the highest standards of historic building conservation”. This project was selected as a winner for its collaborative work, innovative research, and meticulous high standards.
Following a period of decline, in which stone decay and falls, plant growth, and build-up of pollution and dirt had become a major problem, the Leighton Buzzard Townlands Trustees in association with an Architect, Rena Pitsilli-Graham, commissioned research, surveys, scientific analysis and trials to inform a specification of repair works. It was seen that previous repair works had failed, stonework was decaying, and the accumulation of pollutants and biological growth had begun to affect the structure. Trustees then engaged Skillingtons to examine the condition of the carved stonework and subsequently commissioned them to carry out the specified cleaning and repairs to the whole structure, including its fragile sculptures, original vaulted ceiling, its steps and railings. Skillingtons’ Alan Micklethwaite also produced new carved stonework for the repairs.
New stonework being carefully worked to fit perfectly into decayed areas of the Grade II* listed structure.
Skillingtons conservator at work on the Grade II* listed fifteenth-century Market Cross, treating the vaulted ceiling inside.
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