Advocacy is one of our core activities
Our Press Office offers both press releases and a selection of coverage from The UK and international media.
The power of the media can literally stop the bulldozers. Whether reacting to a specific crisis or act of god, announcing the start or completion of one of our projects, WMF Britain seeks to engage the media and push the cause of cultural heritage whenever the chance arises.
Recent campaigns include a successful protest against the demolition of the chimneys of Battersea Power Station, and an ongoing protest at the proposed construction of a motorway through Tara Hill in Ireland.
With over 40 years of experience, WMF is seen an established and reliable commentator on heritage and conservation issues. We have featured in all UK National Press from the John o’Groats Journal to the Isle of Wight County Journal.
The Independent dubbed us ‘Guardians of the wonders of the world,’ and the Economist has written twice about our role in safeguarding cultural heritage. We have also featured on many TV and Radio programmes covering cultuaral heritage.
Press enquiries
For press enquiries relating to Stowe House please contact Sue Bond on Tel: +44 (0)1359 271085 or email: sue@suebond.co.uk.
For all other press enquiries contact Sarah Meaker on Tel: +44 (0) 20 7730 5344 or email: sarah@wmf.org.uk.
Our current releases:
Stowe Fundraising Campaign Only £1.61 Million Short of £11.2 Million Target
Seventeenth century chandelier installed at St George's Bloomsbury
WMF in the news
The Telegraph
Strawberry Hill House: blast from a Gothic past
16 May 2011
Strawberry Hill, one of World Monuments Fund 100 most endangered heritage sites has re-opened to the public.
The Herald, Scotland
Architectural gem saved by £10 million art centre plan
16 May 2011
Architectural gem saved by £10 million art centre plan
Building Design Magazine
Philanthropist's estate boosts Stowe House restoration
04 April 2011
The Paul Mellon estate is to donate $250,000 towards the restoration of the music room at Stowe House.
BBC News, Kent
Campaigners celebrate 'at risk' dockyard purchase.
01 April 2011
Good news for the 2010 Watch listed historic Sheerness dockyards.
New York Times
The Gothic Pioneer Horace Walpole Finally Gets His Due
22 March 2011
STRAWBERRY HILL, ENGLAND — Horace Walpole transformed the Gothic Revival from a primarily decorative fashion into a major architectural movement, but posterity has not always been kind to him or his creation.
Express and Star
£1m lottery bid launched to restore Dudley Zoo
13 March 2011
Funding bid for repairs to the 2010 Watch listed Tecton Buildings.
Herefordshire Journals
‘Wedding cake’ church faces funds shortfall
03 December 2010
Time is running out for a Herefordshire church which has received world-wide attention thanks to its spectacular ‘wedding cake’ interior design.
Hereford Times
Unique church gets boost to restoration
02 December 2010
English Heritage has given one of its largest ever donations in a bid to save a historic Herefordshire Church.
BBC Hereford & Worcester
Donation plea for Rococo Shobdon Church repair
28 November 2010
Fundraisers have appealed for donations to restore what they say is the UK's best example of a Rococo-style church.
Country Life
Restoration of the century - the winners
14 October 2010
The Marble Hall at Stowe wins award for 'Restoration of the century' - eastern region.
The Independent
Can Battersea power station spark to life?
12 October 2010
After 27 years of dereliction, this WMF watch site may be on the brink of redevelopment.
The Independent
Can Battersea power station spark to life?
12 October 2010
After 27 years of dereliction, this WMF watch site may be on the brink of redevelopment.
The Daily Telegraph
Strawberry Hill House: blast from a Gothic past
09 October 2010
Strawberry Hill, Horace Walpole's wondrous house, has reopened. The restoration was part funded by World Monuments Fund.
Evening Stanard
Gothic castle Strawberry Hill reopens after £9m restoration
24 September 2010
The £9 million restoration of a Gothic castle which was once listed by WMF as one of the world's most endangered buildings has been unveiled.
The Guardian
Strawberry Hill will open doors to public once again
23 September 2010
World's first gothic revival house will reopen in London on 2 October after £9m restoration.
Liverpool Daily Post
Architecture expert scales Liver Building for TV show
17 August 2010
WMFB's Chief Executive, Jonathan Foyle got up close and personal with the Liverpool's iconic Liver Birds for a forthcoming TV documentary.
Lincolnshire Echo
Local historian climbs Lincoln Cathedral for new 15-part programme on BBC2
15 July 2010
Architectural expert Dr Jonathan Foyle was visiting Lincoln as part of a new 15-part TV series called Climbing Great Buildings. The show, which will appear on BBC2, looks at the design and construction of iconic buildings and the role they played in the history of British architecture and engineering.
Evening Standard
Tour of St Paul's dome skips the stairs
13 July 2010
'Oculus' is a new exhibition in the crypt of St Paul's funded through the American Express supported WMF sustainable tourism programme.
This is Kent
Anger over homes plan at dockyard
09 July 2010
Conservation groups, including WMF, and Sheerness residents upset at plans to develop a residential quarter of the historic dockyard have warned: "Hands off our heritage."
The Scotsman
Scotland's historic graveyards finally rest in peace
09 June 2010
A new taskforce is to be set up to safeguard the future of five historic graveyards in Scotland's capital which were placed on WMF's 2010 Watch list.
The Economist
The Forbidden City: Reviving a Chinese imperial treasure means reversing 80 years of neglect
20 May 2010
WMF joins forces with the Palace Museum to restore the Studio of Exhaustion from Diligent Service, or Juanqinzhai
Belfast Telegraph
Editor's Viewpoint: We must restore our built heritage
17 May 2010
Watch listed Carlisle Circus Methodist Church in Belfast is highlighted as a building in need in the city.
The Art Newspaper
Oranienbaum Palace restoration to be completed by 2013
14 April 2010
The Oranienbaum Palace restoration is set to finish ahead of schedule. The Palace was Watch listed in 2000 and 2002 and has received support from WMF.
Daily Express: Property
Kensington Palace: At home with the royals
02 April 2010
Andrea Watson joins a study group as it unlocks secrets of Kensington Palace, once occupied by Princess Diana.
BBC News Online
The closure of Sheerness dockyard 50 years on
31 March 2010
The closure of Watch listed Sheerness Dockyard is remembered 50 years on.
The Independent
Frozen in time : Captain Scott's huts
18 December 2009
£3.5m raised to preserve quarters that sheltered adventurer on doomed South Pole mission
Kent News
Docks on list of world's endangered heritage sites
11 October 2009
The Georgian dockyard on the Isle of Sheppey has been listed among 93 of the most endangered heritage sites around the world.
The Independent
Scottish graveyards among world's most at-risk historic sites
07 October 2009
Dudley Zoo and Sheerness Dockyard join cemeteries on World Monuments Fund list
BBC News
Church gets world monument status
07 October 2009
A derelict church in a north Belfast interface has been placed on an international list of threatened heritage which once included the likes of the Great Wall of China and the Taj Mahal.
Telegraph.co.uk
Dudley Zoo buildings 'need protection like Machu Picchu'
06 October 2009
Animal enclosures at Dudley Zoo have been listed alongside world heritage sites such as Machu Picchu in Peru as in need of protection.
The Independent
Five UK sites on 'watch list' of endangered monuments
06 October 2009
This year's list includes temples, churches, rice terraces, walled cities, historic centres and cultural landscapes around the globe. Among them are five sites from Britain and another from Ireland, ranging from Dudley Zoo to Sheerness Dockyard.
English Heritage Conservation Bulletin
Conservation areas in China
01 September 2009
Conservation areas are gaining currency in Asia through the dialogue of East and West. While the concept of conservation areas more routinely relates to the natural world, Unesco’s World Heritage Sites have done much to establish common values and standards across the globe for both natural and built sites.
Manchester Evening News
Monastery wins property 'Oscars'
12 May 2009
Monastery wins property 'Oscars'
Evening Standard: Homes and Property
Saving grace: A secret guardian angel is helping Britain’s endangered buildings, says Philippa Stockley
22 October 2008
The World Monuments Fund (WMF) is one of Britain’s best-kept secrets - an entirely privately funded body that saves spectacular buildings for us to enjoy.
