Leek Post & Times

Major funding boost for Moorlands heritage sites

Youth Trust is awarded £118k, while Hall gets £12,500

- By Les Jackson leslie.jackson@reachplc.com

TWO valuable heritage sites in the Staffordsh­ire Moorlands have been given a crucial lifeline thanks to a major Government grant scheme.

The Kenelm Youth Trust Limited, based in Alton has been awarded £118,400 and Casterne Hall, which is located near Ilam is to receive £12,500, after successful­ly applying to the Cultural Recovery Fund (CRF) for Heritage, set up to help the country’s cultural gems survive the coronaviru­s pandemic.

Staffordsh­ire Moorlands MP, Karen

Bradley said she was delighted by the award and the money would protect a vital part of the area’s heritage and protect local jobs

The 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.

A raft of famous sites across the country have been awarded funding including historical areas, buildings, monuments, collection­s, museums, archives and places of worship.

Mrs Bradley, below, said: “I am thrilled that Casterne Hall and the Kenelm Youth Trust have been awarded this money which 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 £1.57billion Culture Recovery Fund.

It has also seen a dozen organisati­ons, including English Heritage, the National Trust and the Canal and River Trust share £34million 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.”

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Casterne Hall, near Ilam

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