Fears historic landmark could close for good
‘IT’S BEEN AROUND SINCE 1100S, WOULD BE WRONG TO LOSE NOW’
A 12TH century landmark could be closed to the public unless funding is secured.
The warning was made by David Whitt, chairman of the Friends of Grace Dieu Priory, who maintain the site. He said serious funding concerns could mean access to the priory, near Coalville, could be lost forever.
He said that, for now at least, volunteers were “working hard, but were struggling” amid worries over its financial position. “
I don’t like to say it, but there is a very real risk we won’t be able to open the site any more. It’s that serious,” he said.
“We have some money to tide us over for a few months and we’ve dipped into our reserves, but that will only go so far. No-one has a bottomless pit of money.”
For years, the group has secured money from the Rural Payments Agency (RPA), which paid it for school trips to the historic ruin.
However, the RPA funding is due to stop next year, while the pandemic has meant school trips and other funding avenues have stopped. “We are worried, of course we are”, Mr Whitt said. “We have given more than 20 years to helping maintain and preserve the site and to lose it now is a concern.”
Expenses for grass-cutting, which the friends pays the council to do, and insurance for those on the site comes to about £3,000 a year.
With finances already stretched, the group have condemned vandals who caused more than £1,000 of damage to fences around the site last month. The incident, which Mr Whitt called “demoralising”, could be further compounded with the need to create a new access to the site.
A culvert has been discovered under the path to the priory, which it may be eroding. Plans are now in place to remove the path altogether, leaving the friends group with the reality of building a footbridge.
This could set it back by a further £40,000.
“It sounds a lot but it will become necessary, especially if we are to create wheelchair access and safety for all involved,” said Mr Whitt.
“People wrongly assume we are funded by the council but we are not. We rely solely on funding from others, including the public.
“Without that, we will not be able to operate. All these things add up and make finances tight.”
Following the recent vandalism, the group has set up an online fundraiser in a bid to secure money.
“We are working hard as volunteers to do all we can for the site, but we are struggling,” said Mr Whitt.
“Anything and anyone who can help us in any way will be appreciated so much.
“This site should be kept for years to come.”
“It’s been around since the 1100s. We’ve had it only 20 years or so. It wouldn’t be right to lose it now.”