Bowmer & Kirkland’s historically important project at The Roundhouse in Derby will be featured on the BBC this week.
The Roundhouse will be included on BBC1’s Inside Out programme. The ‘docufilm’ will feature interviews with former railway workers based at the Roundhouse, B&K’s Contract Manager and Project Manager and representatives from the architects and client Derby College.
The short film has been made by former Blue Peter presenter Simon Groom and Director Doug Smith – both of whom are Derby born – and have watched with sadness as the once thriving Grade II* Listed buildings fell into disrepair.
Bowmer & Kirkland is transforming the site from a derelict wasteland into state of the art educational facilities for Derby College students. The £42m project includes the careful restoration of the existing buildings and construction of new buildings – which together will provide a superb 15,000 sq m learning environment.
Bowmer & Kirkland Contract Manager, Mike Atkinson, said: “This project provides a unique opportunity to give the tradesmen of today a taste of the skills used in the past.
“We have taken this a step further and have embarked on a series of initiatives to combine education with construction.
“Bowmer & Kirkland is treating the site as a living, learning environment and have encouraged the future students of the college, particularly those on engineering and construction-related courses, to visit site and gain an appreciation of how their college was built.
“The Roundhouse does truly inspire anyone with a genuine interest in construction and engineering. It is an absolute honour and privilege to be involved in a scheme which is so unique and worthwhile"
Film-maker Simon Groom, said: “As a local boy I have driven past the Roundhouse site so many times and thought what a shame it was that the buildings laid derelict and almost beyond repair.
“This has been a superb film to work on, particularly because of the enthusiasm of Bowmer & Kirkland’s site staff and local people for the project. When it is finished, the project will be something very special and it has been a joy to record the transformation of the site.”
Derby College Deputy Principal, Nigel Gell, said: “Since work started on the project we have had a lot of interest in the Roundhouse, in terms of both its history and its future as Derby College’s flagship site, so it’s great that this film has been made and people are able to learn more, particularly from those who worked in the building when it was part of Midland Railways.
“We’re really excited to be able to combine the Roundhouse’s heritage and history with a brand new building and facilities to provide a state-of-the-art learning environment. This September will be the first milestone for future Derby College students as any who enrol on a two year course could be among the first to study at the Roundhouse when it opens in 2009.”
Derby’s Roundhouse is the oldest in the world and part of the earliest railway works in Britain. It was built in 1839 for the North Midland Railway Company and was used for locomotive repairs.
The project will be completed in March 2009.
The BBC1 Inside Out programme featuring the Roundhouse will be televised on Friday April 25 at 7.30pm.
