Marcus Binney CBE, OBE Hon FRIBA FSA – president of SAVE Britain’s Heritage and winner of a Europa Nostra Heritage Champions Award in 2024 -unveiled his commemorative plaque in the former Smithfield Market alongside Sara Robertson, Chair of Europa Nostra UK, on 12 November. Saving the vast Smithfield Market complex from demolition is one of Marcus’s greatest achievements and the fascinating historic site will soon open to the public as the new home of the London Museum.
At the reception afterwards, Henreitta Billings (Director of SAVE) and Sir Simon Jenkins paid tribute to Marcus’s extraordinary record over the past 50 years not only in Britain but also across Europe. Under Marcus’s leadership SAVE has campaigned to save buildings large and small, publishing reports on endangered great houses in France, Hungary and Silesia and on the threat to the landscape of the villas of the Veneto as well as on cities such as Moscow, Tbilisi and Samara. This work spans all five categories of the Awards from adaptive reuse to citizen engagement. His impact has been huge and the criteria for Champions’ nominations describes him exactly:
“Influential and inspiring individuals or organisations whose exemplary action demonstrates an exceptional level of dedication, impact and civic engagement for the safeguard and enhancement of cultural heritage.”
© Felix Q Media / Europa Nostra
The European Heritage Awards / Europa Nostra Awards were launched by the European Commission in 2002 and have been run in partnership with Europa Nostra ever since. The call for nominations is usually launched in the summer with a deadline in November.