BRIGHTER CITY OF DERBY AWARD

When David Burd started his architectural career more than 40 years ago, he joined a Derby firm, working for a man called George Larkin. Now semi-retired, Mr Burd has won an award given in memory of his former boss for the design of Derby Rugby Club's new clubhouse in Haslam's Lane, Darley Abbey. The George Larkin Brighter City of Derby awards are presented by Derby Civic Society each year to the best new building and the best restoration project in the city. "It's nice that I started out with George Larkin and, in some way, I'm finishing with him as well," said Mr Burd. Derby historian Maxwell Craven, who was one of the Civic Society's panel of judges, said, "The whole idea is to celebrate buildings which are a credit to the city."

The rugby club building has been chosen as the best new building in the city and Derby Cathedral's visitor centre, in Iron Gate, has won the award for the best restoration project in 2003. The Mayor of Derby, Councillor Peter Berry, is presenting silver salvers to the winners and their architects at an awards ceremony in the Council House. The rugby club building, which is on the site of the former Qualcast Sports Ground, was finally finished in 2003 after five years of planning. The club first applied to Derby City Council for planning permission in April 1999. Its application was rejected twice after objections from nearby residents and the Environment Agency because the site was on a flood plain. Work on the £950,000 scheme finally started when permission was granted after a planning inquiry in April 2000. The 12-acre site now houses five rugby pitches, a stand for spectators, a cricket square and the two-storey clubhouse.

Mr Burd, who is also president of the club, said, "The actual position of the building on the site was dictated by the flood plain. It occasionally floods so we had to build on the piece of land which was elevated. It's a traditional building built to serve the six rugby teams, so it has changing rooms on the ground floor and bars and function rooms on the first floor." Mr Craven said, "We thought the rugby club building had quite a good presence and was pleasantly designed." The facility was built by Bowmer and Kirkland subsidiary Peveril Securities, of Belper. Plans to convert the Grade II-listed former Clulows bookshop alongside the Cathedral in Iron Gate into a visitor centre were revealed in 2000.

Mr Craven said, "The award for the best restoration project went, without hesitation, to the Cathedral Centre because they have taken a historic building and brought it back to full use. Attention to detail was very good and the quality of work was excellent." The cathedral had to raise £1.25m to fund the centre, which has an education area, library, exhibition and meeting rooms, a treasury displaying the cathedral's historic objects, sensory garden, listening rooms and offices. Canon Barrie Gauge, chancellor and acting dean designate of the cathedral, said, "This is a splendid piece of news and makes a wonderful climax to a project which has involved a great deal of imagination and hard work."

The centre was created from two buildings, built in the 1700s, converted into one. Architect Liz Walker, of Ashbourne-based Anthony Short & Partners, said, "It wasn't the easiest of projects. We had to incorporate disabled access into a listed building, which is never easy. We tried to retain as much of the original fabric of the buildings as we could and it looks very little different from the outside." The firm had to tender for the project and Mrs Walker said its experience of working with listed buildings may have helped. Derby-based construction company GF Tomlinson Building Limited built the visitor centre, which was officially opened by the Queen.