Source BMX Park

Source wins Heritage Angels awards

Rich and Marc Moore, the local innovators and entrepreneurs who created The Source BMX Park have jointly won the Historic England Heritage Angel Award for the ‘Best Rescue of an Historic Building’, as well as the ‘Historic England Followers’ and Telegraph readers’ People’s Choice Award’ for a heritage project. The awards ceremony was held at the Palace Theatre in London on 20 November 2017. Zelly Restorick writes.

Such a fantastic accolade for the brothers – and for all those involved in The Source – from the seed of a concept to the current day. Well done! Reading the comments and feedback about this enterprise, it is clear why the organisation is such a resounding success and a great asset to the town and local community.

“Brothers Rich and Marc Moore have rescued a derelict Victorian swimming pool on Hastings’ seafront and turned it into a state-of-the-art facility for BMX riders and skaters. Having raised more than £1 million in funding and enlisting the support of the local community they opened the Source Park in March 2016.

“The brothers overcame significant construction challenges to turn the dank underground building into an all-weather centre for BMX riders and skaters. However their perseverance has paid off as the park has already welcomed over 70,000 visitors from all around the world.

“What was once a disused Victorian building that reflected the faded glory of a declining seaside town has become a vibrant new space that is helping to put Hastings back on the map.” (Historic England website)

Marc and Rich Moore at The Source

Meredith Childerstone, chairman of Selectaglaze, sponsor of the ‘Best Rescue of an Historic Building Award’, said: “We are pleased to sponsor this award and are very impressed by both winners. Each has demonstrated strong community support to find a sustainable long-term use for buildings that have been part of local history. This helps retain the best of our architectural heritage for future generations.”

Rich Moore said, “It is such an honour to win the Historic England award for best rescue of an historic building. The Source Park project was by far the biggest thing we’ve ever taken on and to be recognised for such a prestigious award is amazing. It was a massive team effort and we would like to thank everyone involved – in particular Hastings Borough Council and all the funders, friends, family, designers and builders for helping to make the dream a reality.”

Marc Moore said, “To also win the People’s Choice vote is a particular honour given that it’s voted for by the public. We think that could be due in part to the incredible loyalty of the good people of Hastings and the wider BMX and skate communities!

The Source

The project was jointly funded by Hastings Borough Council, East Sussex County Council, Coastal Community Fund round 3, and the Source.

Hastings Borough Councillor Sue Beaney charity committee chair said, “We were so excited to see Marc and Rich Moore win this award. It was a fantastic joint effort between the Source and Hastings Borough Council. They put their heart and souls into this project, which continues to achieve one ground-breaking success after another. Historic England have recognised that, and we couldn’t be prouder “.

She added, “What a great year for the town; the Stirling prize for the pier, and now Heritage Angel awards for the Source BMX Park.

The 2017 awards were judged by Andrew Lloyd Webber, TV’s Restoration Man George Clarke, Dean of Westminster the Very Reverend Dr John Hall, historian Bettany Hughes, Baroness Lola Young and Historic England’s Chief Executive Duncan Wilson.

You can read more here: Angel Awards Winner 2017 

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