£3.7m Christmas Heritage Boost

• Thirty-four heritage organisations will share £3.7m from the government’s Culture Recovery Fund
• Twenty-nine organisations caring for historic sites, buildings, museums, railways and monuments will share £3.14m in continuity support grants
• £604,300 in emergency grants will provide a lifeline to five organisations supported by the Culture Recovery Fund for Heritage
• Festive funding boost will support organisations as they make plans for financial sustainability in 2022

Thirty-four heritage organisations in the North will benefit from £3.7m this Christmas thanks to the government’s unprecedented Culture Recovery Fund for Heritage.

Those set to receive grants include:

Chester Cathedral, Chester – £171,200
Chester Cathedral is an architectural gem founded over 1,000 years ago as a Benedictine Monastery. Today it is the largest free and accessible visitor attraction in Chester. The grant will go towards operational costs, increasing the visitor experience and furthering its outdoor hospitality offering.

Hoghton Tower Preservation Trust, Lancashire – £116,500
Iconic heritage site Hoghton Tower, which lies between Blackburn and Preston, is a source of pride for the local community, many of whom are trained volunteers. The fortified hilltop manor house, rebuilt by Sir Thomas Hoghton in the 1560’s will receive an award for staff costs to support plans for a fully opened house and garden.

Stainmore Railway Company, Kirkby, Cumbria – £16,000
Stainmore Railway Company looks after one of the foremost collections in the UK of items associated with the North Eastern Railway (NER) and London & North Eastern Railway (LNER). The grant will enable the organisation to focus on developing its partnership working with local organisations and continue to build income generation opportunities, supporting both them and surrounding businesses.

Penistone Cinema Organ Trust – £12,500
The Trust maintains and presents concerts on historic cinema organs at the Penistone Paramount cinema and The Astoria Centre, Barnsley. They have also worked on many other organ restorations across the UK. The grant will cover rent and overhead costs as well as organ maintenance, which will be carried out by volunteers.

Bidston Observatory Artistic Research Centre, Prenton near Liverpool – CRF3 £27,200
Bidston Observatory was built in 1866 by George Fosbery Lyster to measure time. For 135 years it carried out specialist research of ground-breaking importance across the fields of astronomy, meteorology, seismography and oceanography. The Grade-II listed landmark is a key component of Liverpool’s long history of maritime science and its presence on Wirral’s skyline is iconic. The grant will cover essential running costs and staffing.

Manchester Histories – £42,200
Manchester Histories work is important to the local community as it reveals the often hidden histories & heritage of people. Their work on commemorating the 200th anniversary of the Peterloo Massacre was a local story but was told to national and international audiences. The Culture Recovery Fund award will enable them to continue their work with communities.

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.”

The Very Revd Dr Tim Stratford, Dean of Chester said:
“Chester Cathedral is delighted to have received a grant of vital financial support from DCMS’ Continuity Support stream from the Culture Recovery Fund. Without DCMS’ continued support we would be in a much bleaker situation. The CRF funding has ensured not only that our magnificent building and heritage continue to be available to the public, but our Cathedral can continue to fulfil its mission with energy and enthusiasm. This funding has given us the opportunity to reimagine how we do things and ensure that we remain a relevant, exciting organisation and fulfil our goals to be a place of Discovery, Encounter, and Faith.”

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.