Derry City and Strabane Council has announced it is taking part in the annual programme of events as part of National Maintenance Week which starts on Friday 20 November.

National Maintenance Week in an initiative sponsored by the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB) since 2002, and centres around reminding anyone who looks after a building - regardless of its age, type or purpose - of the simple, achievable steps they can take to prepare for the worst that the winter elements can bring.

In 2019, the council took part in the annual event for the first time after being awarded funding through the Historic Environment Division's Council Maintenance Week Catalyst Fund and held information seminars and produced a series of animated videos and a booklet.

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This year the council will take part in National Maintenance Week for the second time and help to raise public awareness by sharing top tips for carrying out maintenance to historic buildings with daily posts throughout the week on the What's On Derry Strabane social media pages. These useful animations and related information will be also available on the council's website to access beyond National Maintenance Week.

In addition to this, property owners are also encouraged to take part in a series of talks being held by Ulster Architectural Heritage throughout the week, providing advice and guidance on general maintenance issues, damp, stone repair, and more.

Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Cllr Brian Tierney, said: "We had a very successful first year taking part in National Maintenance Week, and I'm delighted to see that another programme has been put together this year – albeit with a more virtual focus."