Unhappy ending for Gothic story

11:30am Friday 23rd July 2004

AFTER a valiant campaign Strawberry Hill House bowed out of the TV competition to win essential funds for repair on Sunday.

The 18th century house went head to head with a medieval palace in Kent and a castle in Greenwich in the battle for viewers' votes, to decide which would make the final of BBC 2's Restoration programme.

Despite a campaign by the friends, supported by Richmond upon Thames Council and Twickenham MP Vincent Cable, the house, was pipped to the post by the Archbishop's Palace in Caring, Kent, which took over 37 per cent of the votes cast.

Strawberry Hill is considered to be the most significant example of Georgian Gothic architecture, but urgently needs funds to return it to its former glory.

Judith Lovelace of the Friends of Strawberry Hill said they were disappointed, but looking to the future. "We are all very sad here this morning. But we would like to give our very grateful thanks to all the wonderful support we have had from the local community over the past three months.

"We believe it has raised awareness of the house locally and will be a wonderful basis to take forward for future fundraising for Strawberry Hill."

The Friends are holding an open day this coming Sunday, July 25, and visitors will be taken on tours of the building. The event will also feature stalls and entertainment.