Geoffrey has welcomed a £100m rescue package to protect the heritage sector in England, which will benefit several organisations across his constituency.
The investment is part of the Government’s £1.57bn Culture Recovery Fund, announced earlier in the year, and includes £1.5m for local organisations in Torridge and West Devon. The scheme, funded by the Government and delivered by Historic England and the National Lottery Heritage Fund, will support organisations in England which have fallen on hard times due to the pandemic.
The first tranche of funding includes £400,000 for Morwellham Quay, £500,000 for the Lundy Island Company, and almost £100,000 for the Fortescue Garden Trust. Hartland Abbey will also receive a separate £360,000 grant from the Heritage Stimulus Fund, distributed by Historic England.
Geoffrey said:
It is extremely encouraging that local heritage sites like Hartland Abbey and Lundy Island will benefit from this funding, which will give them a vital lifeline to help them through the pandemic.
As we continue to deal with the consequences of the virus in terms of jobs and the economy, we must also do all that we can to preserve and protect the cultural foundations of our society, both here in Devon and across the country.
It is, therefore, welcome news that Torridge and West Devon will receive such a substantial investment from the first round of the Culture Recovery Fund.
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 bounce-back. I’m so pleased that we have been able to help organisations like Morwellham Quay and Lundy Island.