Context 153 - March 2018

8 C O N T E X T 1 5 3 : M A R C H 2 0 1 8 Obituary Elizabeth Evans (Hall), conservation architect Elizabeth Evans (1933–2017) became a member of the Association of Conservation Officers in 1988 and remained a member of the IHBC until her death. She was an active member of the Wales branch committee for many years. She trained at the Welsh School of Architecture between 1951 and 1956, at a time when very few women chose architecture as a career. After qualifying, she went to work for Sir Frederick Gibberd, whose practice was hugely influential as modernist architects. Here she was involved in projects such as Harlow new town. Returning to Wales, Elizabeth worked first as an architect for the Cwmbran Development Corporation and then for Mid Glamorgan County Council. It was at Mid Glamorgan that she became acutely aware of the threat to non-conformist chapels and of their importance as an iconic building type for Wales. The density of chapels in the Valleys was extraordinary, yet already they were beginning to close. In 1978 Elizabeth initiated a pioneering programme of recording these buildings by means of a job creation training scheme for young people. The project is regarded as the first comprehensive record in Britain of non-conformist chapel architecture, and in Wales it was a benchmark for the pan-Wales chapels survey later carried out by the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales. Out of this emerging greater understanding of chapels came a willingness to find new uses for some of those that were redundant, and to try to prevent their demolition. Elizabeth’s commitment to recording and saving chapels led to her being elected a member of the executive committee of Capel, the Chapels Heritage Society, with a specific remit to advise on building and planning matters. In 1996 she was appointed by Cadw to a working party on redundant chapels, out of which came the establishment of Addoldai Cymru, the Welsh Religious Buildings Trust. She left Mid Glamorgan to become conservation architect at Monmouth District Council, where she developed a formidable reputation for protecting the area’s rich heritage. She knew exactly what she wanted and made sure that owners of listed buildings did what they needed to. The unusually high level of support from council directors and elected members that her professionalism earned her enabled her to act quickly to protect buildings at risk. The national amenity societies, with whom local authorities need to consult on changes to listed buildings, all knew Elizabeth, even if they had never met her, because she was one of the very few who conscientiously sent all the required information at the right time and properly collated. While at Monmouth, through sheer determination she persuaded the council to compulsory purchase Allt y Bela, an extraordinarily important sub- medieval house near Usk, the finest part of which is dated 1599. To look at it when Elizabeth was fighting for its survival you would have thought it was too far gone and that the prospect of winning the legal battle with the then owner too difficult to take on. But years later Allt y Bela is beautifully restored, has won numerous awards and is an example to us all of the point of rescuing historic buildings. After retiring in 1998 Elizabeth was much in demand to serve on a wide range of heritage committees on a voluntary basis, and hugely valued for her contributions and sound advice. Most prestigious of all was the invitation to join the Historic Buildings Council for Wales. This was a Welsh Assembly Government appointment, and Elizabeth was one of a group of eight highly regarded experts from around Wales who advised primarily on heritage policy and on which buildings should receive grant-aid. She continued to serve on the Merthyr Tydfil Heritage Forum, and for over 20 years was an active member of both the Monmouth and the Swansea and Brecon Diocesan Advisory Committees. She took these appointments incredibly seriously. Messages and memories have been received from many within the heritage world, reminding us of just how much Elizabeth contributed to historic building conservation in Wales. Common themes include memories of her kindness, her unassuming manner, her passion for heritage, her wise advice and her support for those who were starting out, finding their way in architecture or conservation. Our condolences go to her son Matthew. Edward Holland Elizabeth Evans was noted for her work onWelsh chapels: this is the Grade II* listed Bethania Chapel, Maesteg, designed by local architectWilliam Beddoe Rees (Photo: RCAHMW)