A WINDMILL and a school cricket pavilion were recognised for improving the local environment at the annual Oxford Preservation Trust awards.

Plaques, certificates and commendations were presented at the Newman Rooms in St Aldate’s, on Tuesday.

While the bulk of the winning schemes were in Oxford, Wheatley Windmill was given a plaque for building conservation in providing an exciting new addition to the Oxfordshire skyline.

A Victorian gothic detached house at 17 Iffley Road also received a conservation plaque.

The property, Ivydene, was earmarked for demolition, but after strong local protests, its new owners Lucy Properties undertook major renovation work, creating a number of apartments.

The Ashmolean may have opened in 1683, but it won a new building plaque for its extension, which used contemporary architecture to double the display space.

The judges said Oxford had been given a 21st century museum which would make a lasting contribution.

A new building plaque was also presented for The Martyrs Pavilion at St Edward’s School.

Nine new gargoyles, which replaced eroded ones on the west face of the Bodleian Library, won a plaque in the small project category.

They were created after the university and trust launched a design competition.

The gargoyles are all based on local literary figures.

A new category for community projects saw plaques going to Barracks Lane community garden and the Kidlington wildlife garden, while Donnington Doorstep family centre and East Oxford Lifelong Learning Centre received letters of commendation.

The awards evening was also marked with the launch of a ‘Railings in Oxford’ project by the trust and Oxford City Council, with the publication of a leaflet on repairing and replacing railings.

Trust director Debbie Dance said: “The increased interest in replacing railings in Oxford is fantastic.”

Letters of commendation went to the Bodleian Library, Oxford Junior High School, in Bardwell Road, 71 and 72 Kingston Road, and the ‘Knowledge and Understanding’ sculpture in Bonn Square for their railings work.

Certificates were also awarded for the restoration of the Holywell Music Room, the Manor House in Dorchester, and Long Alley Almshouses, in Abingdon.

Hertford and Wadham colleges were commended for stonework conservation.

New building certificates went to Lucas and Remy Place, in Meadow Lane, and a letter of commendation for the extension to the Department of International Development, in Mansfield Road.

Environmental and landscape letters of commendation were given for rural fencing at Wolvercote Green, the Hythe Bridge Street pocket park, and work on Ascott Park’s gateposts and boundary walls, in Stadhampton.