News - Funding of £11m for UK heritage projects (Wentworth Castle)

A World War II submarine, a bridge, a seaside pier, a castle conservatory and a cathedral are to share £11m of funding for heritage projects.

The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) grants will allow the sites to undertake restoration and repair work, and make them more accessible to visitors.

The Transporter Bridge, Middlesbrough's most famous landmark, is getting £2.6m.

The Grade II listed bridge will get new lifts and a gondola to allow the public to see the view from the top.

Guided tours and educational activities for schools will also be provided on the bridge, which links Middlesbrough and Port Clarence.

Designer Kevin McCloud said the bridge was an "extraordinary example of engineering".

Mr McCloud, presenter of Channel 4's Grand Designs, said: "The bridge also demonstrates the very British enthusiasm for practical problem-solving."

Another major beneficiary is the HMS Alliance, the last surviving World War II A class submarine, which is housed at the Royal Navy Submarine Museum in Gosport, Hampshire.

HMS Alliance will get £3.4m to repair its bow and stern and address extensive corrosion on its surface.

The money will also provide new facilities for visitors to the museum.

Wakefield Cathedral will benefit to to the tune of £1.58m, which will allow the Grade I listed building to get better lighting, flooring, heating and access.

Penarth Pier Pavilion in Vale of Glamorgan will get £1.65m for restoration of the building.

Wentworth Castle conservatory in Barnsley, South Yorkshire, has been awarded £2.4m.

The Grade II* listed building is one of the last surviving Victorian winter gardens in the country.

HLF chief executive Carole Souter said: "Our £11m investment will help transform these five unique heritage sites, ensuring they will still be around for everyone's enjoyment for many years to come." 

The HLF said it was also giving a tentative approval to projects to restore Hoxton Hall in Hackney, east London and Middleport pottery in Stoke-on-Trent.

It is also considering a grant to transform Palace House and Stables in Newmarket into a horseracing heritage centre.

Seventeen Classic winners were trained at Palace House between 1837 and 1926. In its heyday in the late 19th century, Palace House was the largest training establishment in Newmarket.

However, a £2.9m bid towards building a museum at Cribbs Causeway, Bristol, to house the last Concorde aircraft to fly has been turned down.

From: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-13591613

Event - Castle open day lets public have their say (Conisbrough Castle)

BOSSES at Conisbrough Castle are turning to the public for advice after receiving lottery backing for plans to develop the site for visitors.

The Heritage Lottery Fund has given a ‘first round pass’ to proposals to improve the site - meaning the ideas meet criteria for funding and are thought to provide potential benefits and value.

Proposals for the development of the site include encouraging greater use of the castle , enhancing the experience for visitors, and improving access.

Plans could include a state-of-the-art visitor centre.

The castle will be opened up to the public free of charge on Saturday from 11am until 3pm to allow residents to look at the proposals and tell them what they think of them.

The findings will then be included in the next stage of the application process towards getting the money to plough into the site.

As part of the preparation work for the project, volunteers have been working alongside archaeologists, curators, and museum staff to sort and study medieval pottery which has been dug up at the site.

Some of the volunteers will be at the event on Saturday to allow visitors to see and handle some of the pieces that have been found.

Also on display will be project work done by families through partnerships with Denaby Main Primary School and Morley Place Primary School’s junior wards, and by youngsters at the De Warenne Academy in Conisbrough. Peterkin the Jester will perform.

Assistant director of development at Doncaster Council Scott Cardwell said: “Conisbrough Castle is one of our most important visitor attractions and a key part of Doncaster’s tourism offer.

“I would encourage local people to come along and have their way on these exciting plans.”

Michael Constantine, English Heritage assistant director of visitor operations for the North of England, said: “Conisbrough Castle is a much loved landmark and we want to make sure local people get a say in its future. We’re already working with local volunteers to explore the history of the castle through its archaeology, and the grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund will help us improve the site even further and encourage communities to get involved in their local heritage.”

English Heritage describes the site as a significant example of a 12th century castle, built around 1180. King John stayed there in 1201 and King Edward II stayed there in 1322.

From: http://www.thestar.co.uk/news/castle_open_day_lets_public_have_their_say_1_3340767