The phoenix is again taking flight as Highcliffe Castle celebrates receiving a Heritage Lottery Fund Award of £2.8 Million
Highcliffe Castle, ravaged by fires in the 1960s and abandoned for over two decades, was saved from certain destruction by an initial grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) in 1995 which led to the repair and conservation of all of the external façade. Since then, the inside of the Castle has been gradually repaired and the uses of the building developed.
Twenty one years later it is to receive another HLF grant of £2,829,700 for further restoration work.The money will be used to repair the East Wing, also known as the Penleaze Wing, and transform it into a new and exciting heritage centre and lifelong learning facility. This will secure the future sustainability of the magnificent building.The work on the project, which is known as The Phoenix Flies, is phase seven of a 10-phase programme to repair the whole castle.
The work on the Penleaze Wing will include:
· Repair of the Victorian kitchen
· Conservation and display of the unique medieval stained glass collection
· Provision of a heritage education facility for schools and community groups
· The return of original furniture to the castle on loan from the Victoria & Albert Museum
· The creation of a historic archive of the castle.
· Works in the grounds, including the provision of low-key natural play facilities.
In In addition to this major National Lottery grant, the project will be funded to the tune of £352,000 from Christchurch Borough Council while £250,000 will be raised from the local community, businesses and benefactors.
A At the last Christchurch Council planning control committee, a planning application for the work was granted, which was required for HLF to be able to give the go-ahead for the work to be financed.
Cllr Frederick Neale, Mayor of Christchurch and the council’s heritage, said: “This is absolutely wonderful news. We have been in discussions with the Heritage Lottery Fund for many years and to have finally been granted this funding means that we can carry on the work for the benefit of future generations, creating a lasting legacy at this amazing building.
“The work will not only restore a significant part of the Castle but will also provide an education and learning facility that will enable our schools and community groups to discover more about the heritage of the Castle and the surrounding area. It has been a huge team effort, and we thank everyone who has been involved to get us this far.
“We hope that local businesses and individuals will get on board to act as sponsors or make donations for the remaining funding that we need to complete the project.”
Anyone wanting to sponsor the project or make a donation towards it can contact the Castle on 01425 278807 or email phoenixfund@highcliffecastle.co.uk.
To watch a video about The Phoenix Flies project, go to http://youtu.be/a6v26ue_qgw
