Yorkshire heritage projects share £4m Lotto cash

Lottery chiefs have awarded £4.08m to two key heritage sites in the region, the Grade I listed Wakefield Cathedral and Grade II* listed Wentworth Castle conservatory, in Barnsley, both receiving support.

The money from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) will allow restoration and repair work to be undertaken and make the sites more accessible to visitors. The grants handed out in the region are part of an £11m pot of cash given to projects nationwide.

Wentworth Castle conservatory, Barnsley, has been awarded £2.4m to restore the structure, which has been in a declining condition and is now in a very poor state of repair.

Wakefield Cathedral will receive £1.58m for essential development and conservation work, including improved lighting, flooring, heating and better access and archaeological investigations to reveal more about the church’s history.

The head of the Heritage Lottery Fund for Yorkshire and the Humber, Fiona Spiers, said: “This investment will help transform these unique heritage sites meaning they will still be around for years to come. However, as we approach Volunteers Week at the beginning of June, it’s important to remember that in addition to much needed funds it is also the vital contribution that volunteers make to both heritage and the wider economy that keeps special places like Wentworth and Wakefield Cathedral alive.”

Built in the late 1800s, Wentworth Castle conservatory was constructed with delicate iron work, exotic planting and was an extremely early example to use electricity, and the funding will help return it to its original splendour while also refurbishing the potting shed for use as a gallery.

The Victorian conservatory captured the nation’s interest when featured on the first series of BBC’s Restoration in 2002. It features 26 listed buildings and monuments which are being carefully restored.

The chairman of Wentworth Castle Trust, John Edwards, said: “We are absolutely thrilled that we are now well on the way to restoring this architectural gem and we are delighted that the HLF are supporting this important project’’

The leader of Barnsley Council, Coun Steve Houghton, said: “This is excellent news for Wentworth Castle Gardens and for Barnsley.”

Wakefield Cathedral was built for worship around 1100AD and became a cathedral in 1888 with the formation of the Diocese of Wakefield.

The HLF funding will help the Dean and Chapter realise their vision for the cathedral development project and means essential development and conservation work can now go ahead to better reveal its history and heritage.

Further archaeological investigations will help tell the story of what lies beneath the cathedral and create an exciting programme of activities for visitors. There will also be improved lighting, flooring, heating and better access with the removal of the Victorian pews to create a more flexible open space.

The Dean of Wakefield, the Rev Jonathan Greener said: “We are thrilled to receive this marvellous news from the HLF.

“We are looking forward to being able to reshape and revitalise this beautiful building, not just for worship, but for use by the whole community.

“We know it will put Wakefield on the map as a vital and vibrant cathedral city,” he added.

Elsewhere, the last surviving Second World War A-class submarine in the country, HMS Alliance, will receive £3.4m for restoration work, including repairing the bow and stern and fixing extensive corrosion on its surface.

The vessel, at the Royal Navy Submarine Museum in Gosport, Hampshire, is one of only two listed submarines

Lottery chiefs have also announced that the initial go-ahead has been given for projects to restore Hoxton Hall, Hackney, London, and Middleport Pottery in Stoke-on-Trent and transform Palace House and Stables in Newmarket into a horse racing heritage centre.

Initial support has also been given to a nationwide scheme to restore ancient woodland sites which were planted with conifers during the 20th century.

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