Unique opportunity to ‘buy a brick’ of renowned Surrey building

The restoration of a historic building is giving locals the chance to put their mark on the history of Farnham . Waverley Borough Council has launched a 'Buy a Brick' campaign, giving residents the unique opportunity to sponsor a brick and ensure that Willmer House’s historic façade is preserved. Home to much-loved Museum of Farnham, restoration work on the building started in January with new scaffolding being erected.

Highly trained specialists have started the painstaking task of recording and dismantling the parapet wall, the cornice and second floor window heads. Damaged brickwork will be replaced with identical gauged bricks which are cut and rubbed by hand. While the council has received support from the The National Heritage Fund as well as other sources it needs additional funds to ensure the work can be completed.



This is because historical buildings are expensive to restore with gauged brickwork being one of the most expensive building methods used. The council is looking for help from those who might want to sponsor a brick. This can be done online here, with three donation levels available ranging from £50 to £1,000.

Each bring with them their own perks your name on a special plaque inside the museum and an invitation to the grand reopening. Councillor Mark Merryweather, Waverley Borough Council's Portfolio Holder for Finance, Assets and Property, added: "Willmer House is one of the nation's most important historic buildings and conservation projects such as this on a Grade 1 Listed Building are unique. As a historical building that requires expert restoration, it does of course incur significant costs.

We are grateful for the funding we have received, which along with our own contribution, is helping ensure that the building remains an important part of the town, however, there is still a considerable shortfall which we hope can be supplemented, in part, by this new campaign.".