Fifty heritage organisations in the Midlands and East will benefit from £4.8m in grants during this Christmas period thanks to the government’s unprecedented Culture Recovery Fund for Heritage. Those set to receive grants include:
Silverstone Heritage Ltd – £710,700
The Silverstone Experience (TSE) museum ensures that the heritage of Silverstone and British motor racing is explained and interpreted for today’s public and the Collections and Research Centre (CRC) ensures that it is protected for future generations. The grant will support them with core staffing and operational costs and targeted investments in their digital capacity, audience development and signage.
Delapre Abbey Preservation Trust, Northampton – £150,300
In 2018 the Grade II* Delapré Abbey opened its doors following its phase one restoration and redevelopment, re-enlivening a much-loved space, helping to support a sense of connection and pride within the local community that sits within the top 10% most deprived in the country. The grant will provide support towards staff and overhead costs and help to plan for the future.
Hartlebury Castle, near Kidderminster - £61,200
Hartlebury Castle was the home of the Bishops of Worcester from 855 to 2007. Three of the Castle’s bishops became saints, two were burned at the stake for their faith, one became the Pope who refused Henry the VIII his divorce and another was present at the execution of Mary Queen of Scots. They have amazing stories to tell and their history and that of Hartlebury Castle is inextricably linked with the history of the nation. The grant will assist with operating costs.
Lincolnshire Bomber Command Memorial – CRF3 £315,000
This multi award-winning project preserves, protects and shares the heritage of Bomber Command. It includes an online digital archive, three exhibition galleries; education, outreach and community engagement programmes and a memorial set in 10-acre Peace Gardens. The grant will help the organisation to cover overheads and staffing costs over the quieter winter months.
Nearly 140 heritage organisations in England will benefit from £15.5 million this Christmas thanks to the government’s unprecedented Culture Recovery Fund for Heritage. This winter sites like Alexandra Park and Palace and The British Music Experience in Liverpool will receive a share of £14.8 million in continuity support grants as part of this next round of funding.
Almost £1 million in emergency grants will also be awarded to 12 Heritage organisations struggling to survive, providing them with a financial lifeline. A total of £138 million has been awarded to heritage organisations from the three rounds of the government’s £2 billion Culture Recovery Fund support package made available for arts, culture and heritage organisations during the pandemic.
This third round of grants are part of the additional £300 million announced by the Chancellor at March’s Budget.
Heritage Minister Nigel Huddleston said: "I'm delighted that this vital funding from our unprecedented Culture Recovery Fund is giving so many brilliant heritage organisations a helping hand this winter. I want everyone to enjoy what our fascinating and diverse heritage has to offer and with this money we're safeguarding these organisations for generations to come."
Sally Reynolds, Chief Executive of the Silverstone Interactive Museum, said: “We are extremely grateful for the support we have received from the Culture Recovery Fund which will be vital to help us through the winter months particularly as we enter another period of uncertainty caused by the Covid pandemic. The funding will not only underpin our operation through this difficult period but also enable us to engage with, and attract, a new audience as we look ahead to a brighter spring.”
Ros Kerslake, Chief Executive, National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “This latest round of the Culture Recovery Fund for Heritage provides a welcome Christmas boost for Heritage organisations. With the situation changing daily, the funding will be crucial in helping heritage sites navigate their seasonal activities ensuring the safety of their visitors and their communities. The grants will also support organisations in implementing business plans as they work round the challenges for the coming year, helping financial sustainability and driving tourism so that we can look to a bright future for our heritage sector.”
Duncan Wilson, Chief Executive, Historic England said: “We are delighted that the Culture Recovery Fund for Heritage grants continue to keep so many heritage organisations going. From major historic buildings to small community organisations promoting local heritage – all deserve this support, to continue to open up to everyone the opportunities that our shared history creates.”
Investing in heritage will not only support Covid19 economic recovery but also improve people’s lives and make communities better places to live, creating jobs, driving tourism and improving wellbeing. The Culture Recovery Fund for Heritage is administered by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, in partnership with Historic England on behalf of the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.
