Students showcase restoration work during MP visit

The Sinai Park House Trust, the charity founded to rescue Burton’s oldest building, Sinai Park House from dereliction and restore it for public use, recently welcomed Jacob Collier, MP for Burton and Uttoxeter to view the project. Joining the visit were construction students at Burton and South Derbyshire College (BSDC) as they near completion of their most recent live restoration project.

For the last year and a half, students have been working on a project to restore the late 18th-century coach house at Sinai Park House, a Grade II* listed building nestled within a scheduled ancient monument in Burton.

Sinai Park House trustee, Kate Murphy gave Mr Collier a tour of the site, including the restored wing of the main complex, as well as enabling him to view the work of the BSDC students. Brickwork, joinery, electrical and plumbing students have joined together to dedicate one day per week to the project, completing restoration tasks such as removing modern brickwork and replacing it with period-appropriate materials, rebuilding damaged areas and repointing. They have also rerouted electrics, installed lighting, fitted a new bathroom, and carried out plastering, painting, flooring, and door installation. The project has given students the opportunity to gain hands-on building experience, while developing skills in historical preservation and architectural techniques.

The Sinai and BSDC initiative has also gained support from local businesses, including St. Modwen Homes, QEP and the Harlow Timber Group, as well as generous contributions from other building and DIY brands such as Luceco plc, Burg Wachter and V33.

Sinai Park House, dating back to the 1300s holds a distinguished place among England’s historical treasures, being in the top 7% of important buildings in England as well as on the Heritage at Risk register.  The coach house, though not individually listed, holds archaeological significance as part of the listed building’s curtilage. The aim of the restoration was to repurpose the structure into an office for the Sinai Park House Trust (SPHT).

Ian Vanes-Jones, Carpentry and Joinery Lecturer at BSDC said: “The work our students have carried out on this project will help to preserve the coach house’s historical integrity while meeting contemporary standards. Working on the restoration of Sinai Park House’s coach house not only preserves a piece of Burton’s history but also provides an invaluable educational opportunity for the construction students at BSDC.”

Jacob Collier, MP for Burton and Uttoxeter commented: “Sinai Park House really is a hidden gem. I want to support the Trust’s efforts to revitalise this site and showcase its rich local history. It’s inspiring to see college students actively involved in a community project, applying their skills in real-world settings that enhance both their education and future careers. Expanding opportunities like this for young people is vital, allowing them to put learning into practice.”

Kate Murphy added, “We’re delighted BSDC construction students have got involved with the project yet again. This project has offered a rich learning ground for students and it’s wonderful to see the community coming together to support such an important endeavour. Sinai has huge heritage potential for Burton and it’s vital we restore full access, usage and enjoyment.”