News - £50,000 for castle repairs (Newark)

A £50,000 grant has been given to Newark and Sherwood District Council to help pay for urgent restoration work to Newark Castle.

The grant was made by Waste Recycling Environmental Ltd (WREN) through a Heritage Fund launched in 2010.

It will be used to help pay for the first phase of work to fence off parts of the gardens where there are concerns about falling masonry.

A survey, by Cliveden Conservation, found that sections of the castle walls, dating to the 12th Century, need urgent repairs and restoration.

The survey also found that the castle will need long-term repair work costing more than £1/2m over the next five years.

The work is being done with the support of English Heritage and heritage groups in Newark, including the Friends of Newark Castle and Gardens.

The district council cabinet member responsible for the castle, Mrs Nora Armstrong, said the grant would be matched by the council to enable the essential work to go ahead.

She said: “The project shows that the council is committed to protecting and enhancing Newark Castle and is providing value for money by bringing in partnership funding.”

Louise Brennan, Nottinghamshire team leader at English Heritage, said: “Newark Castle is an important landmark and one that is on our Heritage at Risk register.

“We hope the funding from the dedicated Heritage Fund will help to complete further repairs at the castle and move it towards coming off the register.”

Extensive work to restore the castle was carried out between 1979 and 1994 by the council at a cost of more than £1m.

From: http://www.newarkadvertiser.co.uk/news/view.asp?id=b85e5100-82b3-102f-ad62-73917bb4195d&utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

News - £400,000 Beckingham Willow Works project finally opens

A PERSONAL triumph for two campaigners was marked with the official opening of the £400,000 Beckingham Willow Works project.

And tributes were paid to the drive and dedication of Brian Suart and Colin Gibson – as they shared the honour of performing the ceremony.

Clerk Mr Gibson and chairman Mr Suart spearheaded a six-year initiative led by Beckingham-cum-Saundby Parish Council to save the derelict unique building from collapse.

But they shared the privilege of seeing the 120-year-old Gales Barn – to give it the correct title – restored to an active role amid the Beckingham Marshes along Old Trent Road on the River Trent flood plain.

And for both men the occasion was both emotional and satisfying as a multi-agency programme reached completion.

But they never imagined that the only remaining building of its type in the country would be transformed into a modern community and heritage facility.

“Without Colin and I’s teamwork this just wouldn’t have happened,” said Mr Suart.

“It looked like it was all going to stall at one stage, but we succeeded in the end.”

And Mr Gibson acknowledged that the end result was a triumph over adversity.

“We were always hopeful, but it’s remarkable that what we wanted to see in the future has actually been achieved,” he said.

Funding for the major project came from a variety of sources such as WREN, the Heritage Lottery Fund, STAR Energy, Environment Agency, Nottinghamshire County Council, Groundwork and Beckingham-cum-Saundby Parish Council.

Willow works’ owners Groundwork Creswell, Ashfield & Mansfield already have tenants – with the £1.6m Heritage Lottery-funded Trent Vale Landscape Partnership moving in.

The venue now houses exhibition and training rooms, a function room, office space and a permanent ‘home’ for the Beckingham Local History Group.

It spokesman Chris du Feu said: “After six years of hard work and many setbacks it is wonderful to see this unique building restored.

“The standard of refurbishment is much higher than originally envisaged and, along with the community garden and adjacent RSPB Beckingham marshes reserve, it presents wonderful opportunities for environmental education and heritage activities.

“Well done to all concerned – this will prove to be a regional treasure.”

RSPB Beckingham Marshes’ site manager Michael Copleston said the charity was excited about the renovation.

“We will be using this building as part of our project to make the marshes a better environment for a wide variety of wildlife,” he said.

Groundwork chairman Jim Mould described Mr Gibson and Mr Suart as ‘pillars of the local community’.

He said: “We are proud that 10 young people were employed through the Future Jobs Fund to carry out the work – and three have gone on to permanent employment.”

From: http://www.thisislincolnshire.co.uk/400-000-Beckingham-Willow-Works-project-finally/story-13572937-detail/story.html

News - Teversal mining statue to be repaired following vandal attack

A STATUE which stands at Teversal as a tribute to mining in Nottinghamshire is set to be repaired more than a year after being damaged by vandals.

The bronze Testing for Gas statue, created at a cost of £50,000 after the closure of Teversal and Silverhill collieries, was damaged when thugs struck late last year.

It stands at Silverhill Wood, one of the highest points in the county.

Now work is underway to restore the statue, which depicts a miner holding a Davy safety lamp, back to its former glory.

Martin Sly, project engineer for Nottinghamshire County Council, said: “Unfortunately the Silverhill Miner’s statue was vandalised around a year ago but we have had the piece which was damaged - the top half of the lamp - re-cast and we will be replacing it early autumn with a redesigned, secure fixing.

“We’ll keep local folks posted on when the work’s carried out so everyone will be able to enjoy the statue in all it’s glory once again.”

The statue was unveiled in March 2005 and was created by sculptor Antony Dufort following a public vote on the best design.

Its plaque lists all of the principle coal mines operating in Nottinghamshire between 1819 and 2005.

The sculpture was funded by money from WREN, from the Landfill Tax credit scheme and Nottinghamshire County Council.

While the plaque was funded by the county council’s Building Better Communities scheme.

From: http://www.chad.co.uk/news/local/alfreton/teversal_mining_statue_to_be_repaired_following_vandal_attack_1_3639088

News - Parish church’s £50,000 grant for vital restoration (Royston)

A PARISH church in South Yorkshire is to benefit from a £50,000 grant towards vital restoration work.

The money will be used to fund repairs to a 15th century window at Royston Church in Barnsley, and repointing of the masonry.

The grant, awarded by not-for-profit company WREN, is part of a new heritage fund which helps to protect listed buildings across the UK.

Parts of the building date back to the 13th century and the church has previously been given grants from WREN to restore the roof and carry out community work.

Church warden Christina Cockcroft said: “We’re delighted WREN has recognised the importance of preserving one of the area’s most important historic buildings and continued its generous support of Royston Parish Church.”

Peter Cox, managing director of WREN, said: “Buildings like this are part of the historical fabric of the UK and we must ensure they remain intact for future generations to enjoy.

“We’re delighted to support the restoration.”

From: http://www.thestar.co.uk/community/parish_church_s_50_000_grant_for_vital_restoration_1_3321069