Three of North Devon’s most valuable heritage sites have been given a crucial lifeline thanks to a major Government scheme.
Conservative MP for North Devon, Selaine Saxby, said she was delighted at the awards and how the money would protect vital parts of the area’s heritage and protect local jobs
The Culture Recovery Fund (CRF) is funded by the Government and delivered by heritage experts: Historic England and the National Lottery Heritage Fund; to support organisations in England across the heritage ecosystem that are local and national treasures but have fallen on hard times due to the pandemic.
More than £67m is being shared out among of 433 successful applicants from across England to help with key repair and maintenance work, and help sites operate and recover. A raft of famous sites across the country have been awarded funding including historical areas, buildings, monuments, collections, museums, archives and places of worship.
Selaine Saxby MP said:
“I am delighted that North Devon has had three successful bids to this fund. I was able to visit two of the winners this week, having met with the Lynton to Barnstaple Railway earlier in the summer. Hele Corn Mill and Tea Room were awarded £28,800 which will be used to enable them to continue to develop their working, organic flour mill, which is then used to make the cakes in the tearoom. They normally see over 10000 visitors a year, but have only seen a fraction of that this year due to Covid. The grant will enable them to make the mill more Covid compliant so they can welcome visitors back next year and ensure there is enough space for people to read all the information about its history. You will have to wait until next year for one of their stunning cream teas, but I was delighted to get a take out!”
“The Chittlehampton Methodist Trustees were awarded £20,300 to help them continue to restore and maintain their beautiful church, hall and cottage and the Lynton to Barnstaple Railway were awarded £79,300 for the next part of their plans to develop the railway.
I know how much this money will help them weather the Covid storm and be there for future generations to enjoy.”
The package of support is the first round of funding from the Government’s £1.57bn CRF. This week has also seen a dozen organisations, including English Heritage, the National Trust and the Canal and River Trust share £34 million from the Heritage Stimulus Fund to preserve visitor attractions.
Culture Secretary, Oliver Dowden, said:
“As a nation it is essential that we preserve our heritage and celebrate and learn from our past.
“This massive support package will protect our shared heritage for future generations, save jobs and help us prepare for a cultural bounceback post-Covid. I am so pleased that we have been able to help several North Devon sites”
