Composer helps boost rescue of historic buildings

This has been put together with a donation of £1m from the Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation, matched by £1m from English Heritage, administered by the Architectural Heritage Fund (AHF).

Dr Simon Thurley, Chief Executive of English Heritage, said: “This is a pioneering new venture for the heritage world between a public body with national expertise, a charity with a grass roots network and the charitable Foundation of a major philanthropist.

“It will specifically support rescues of Grade I and II listed buildings at risk, some of the country’s most important historic treasures which are on our danger list – the Heritage at Risk register.”

The £2m Challenge Fund will be managed by the AHF, an independent charity.

The organisation will disburse it in grants of up to £200,000 each over the next five years to voluntary sector groups such as Building Preservation Trusts (BPTs), Civic Societies, Development and Groundwork Trusts who take on historic building rescues.

Dr Thurley added: “As well as providing a financial kick-start, the Challenge Fund will also help to spread skills and experience to more people at local level.

“We’re asking grant recipients to bring in an experienced project manager to work alongside existing trustees and also to involve and tutor a less experienced group of volunteers who can then go on to undertake another rescue.

“The result should be more historic buildings at risk finding a new use and once more lending character and dignity to their neighbourhoods – indeed to the country as a whole.”

Heritage Minister John Penrose, said: “Encouraging philanthropic giving is a top priority and this generous contribution from the Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation is extremely welcome news, ensuring some of our country’s most ‘at risk’ buildings will be rescued.

“I’m also encouraged that not only will these buildings be protected for the future, but that the process will allow important skills to be shared amongst members of the local community.”