We are thrilled to hear that we have received funding from the government’s #CultureRecoveryFund!

This will mean that the Gardens Trust will have a level of financial security through the winter to enable us to continue to look after the Gardens and make them open for the pleasure, leisure, health and wellbeing of all our visitors and users.

Hoorah!

The government funding follows on from the emergency support we had from lottery players to enable us to open immediately after lockdown.

We are proud of our independence and particularly of our services to heritage, culture and communities. But without official financial support over the last few months the Gardens would have closed, fallen into disrepair and deprived hundreds of people of the pleasure and sanctuary the Gardens provide.

We are one of 445 heritage organisations across the country set to receive a lifesaving financial boost from the government £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund to help them through the coronavirus pandemic. We feel exceedingly privileged and lucky to be one of the few.

The funding will help maintain our staff posts and keep our bills paid – a vital stability for us to meet  future challenges.  The support also means we can plan and make changes to the way welcome people now, and in the future.

As winter closes in during the pandemic, we know that getting fresh air in a beautiful and safe outdoor place and finding some peace and cultural interest will be a vital lifeline for many of our visitors, and volunteers!

The Cultural Recovery Fund will enable us to do this and will support us planning for a better future too.

#hereforculture

The unprecedented government investment through the £1.57bn Cultural Recovery Fund is to be roundly welcomed. Culture creates jobs, supports livelihoods, and brings joy to everyone.

More info from the DCMS about the fund

This vital funding is from the Culture Recovery Fund for Heritage and the Heritage Stimulus Fund – funded by Government and administered at arms length by Historic England and the National Lottery Heritage Fund. Both funds are part of the Government’s £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund which is designed to secure the future of Britain’s museums, galleries, theatres, independent cinemas, heritage sites and music venues with emergency grants and loans.

433 organisations will receive a share of £67 million from the Culture Recovery Fund for Heritage to help with costs for operating, reopening and recovery. This includes famous heritage sites across the country, from Wentworth Woodhouse in Yorkshire to Blackpool’s Winter Gardens, Blyth Tall Ship to the Severn Valley Railway, the International Bomber Command Centre in Lincolnshire to the Piecehall in Halifax. The funds will save sites that are a source of pride for communities across the country.

12 organisations, including English Heritage, Landmark Trust, Historic Royal Palaces and the Canal and River Trust, will receive £34 million from the Heritage Stimulus Fund to restart construction and maintenance on cherished heritage sites to preserve visitor attractions and protect livelihoods for some of the most vulnerable heritage specialists and contractors in the sector.

The Architectural Heritage Fund (AHF) has also been awarded a grant from the Culture Recovery Fund through Historic England. The AHF will use the funding to support charities and social enterprises occupying historic buildings to develop new business plans and strategies for organisations affected by the pandemic.

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.”