Lifeline grant awarded

ceived a grant of £24,600 from the Heritage Stimulus Covid-19 Emergency Heritage at Risk Response Fund to carry out work on the western side of the listed building where Wisbech’s most famous daughter was born. Grants of up to £25,000 are being allocated to cherished heritage sites, such as the Birthplace House museum, across the country to cover urgently needed maintenance and repairs. This vital funding comes from a part of the Culture Recovery Fund called the Heritage Stimulus Fund and is administered on behalf of the Government by Historic England (#HereForCulture). As well as rescuing precious heritage buildings in need, the injection of cash will protect livelihoods for some of the Octavia Hill’s Birthplace most vulnerable heritage specialists House in Wisbech has received and contractors working a financial boost from in the sector. the government’s £1.57 billion Culture secretary, Oliver Culture Recovery Fund to help Dowden, said: “These grants fund ongoing building maintenance will help the places that have and repairs. shaped our skylines for hundreds Lifeline grants from the Culture of years and that continue Recovery Fund are designed to define culture in our to protect heritage towns and cities. We are protecting sites and ensure that jobs and heritage and culture access to culture and heritage in every corner of the country in local communities are to save jobs and ensure it’s protected during the months there for future generations ahead. to enjoy.”

Hutton and Rostron has re- Mr Peter Clayton, chairman

of the Octavia Hill Birthplace Museum Trust, said: “Thanks to the grant, Cambridgeshire Highways has already redirected the external downpipe carrying all the waste water from the roof. It is now decanting into a purpose-dug drain, making sure it can no longer damage the building or be a hazard to Wisbech people. “This has enabled work to upgrade the appearance of one of the town’s rare grade II* listed buildings, subject to conservation approval. The grant will enable continuing maintenance and repairs, and ensure the reopening of the museum at 7 South Brink that celebrates the unique legacy of the Wisbech-born social reformer and co-founder of the National Trust.” Duncan Wilson, Historic England chief executive, said: “Historic places across the country are being supported by the Government’s grants awarded under the Culture Recovery Fund. This funding is a lifeline which is kickstarting essential repairs and maintenance at many of our most precious historic sites, so they can begin to recover from the damaging effects of Covid-19.”

Peter King Octavia Hill’s Birthplace House