- Almost 450 heritage organisations, churches and cathedrals in England, including Bath Abbey have been awarded funding from the first round of the Culture Recovery Fund for Heritage
- Grants of up to £1 million will deliver a lifeline for churches, cathedrals and the heritage sector in England with further support to follow and larger grants for capital projects awarded through the Heritage Stimulus Fund
- First major tranche of funding from the Government’s £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund
Bath Abbey is one of 445 heritage organisations, churches and cathedrals across the country set to receive a lifesaving financial boost from the government thanks to the £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund to help them through the Coronavirus pandemic.
445 organisations will share £103 million, including Bath Abbey to help restart vital reconstruction work and maintenance on cherished churches, cathedrals and heritage sites, keeping venues open and supporting those working in the sector.
Bath Abbey, which is currently undergoing major restoration and redevelopment as part of its Footprint project, is delighted to have been awarded £458,200. This grant will be vital in making the Abbey’s vision for a sustainable heating system a reality. It will be used for installing the heat exchangers and associated pipework required for an innovative eco-heating system that will utilise the energy from Bath’s famous hot springs
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, churches and cathedrals 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.
The Revd Canon Guy Bridgewater, Rector of Bath Abbey said: “We are most grateful to receive this much-needed funding to support the Abbey’s mission, particularly as we pursue outstanding care of both our built and natural environment. This funding will enable us to install an eco-heating system in Bath Abbey that is more energy efficient, more sustainable and altogether more effective. In these challenging times this money from the Government and Historic England is a lifeline for us and for many others, as we continue to care for our beautiful heritage and those we serve in the community”.
