34 heritage organisations in London and the South East will benefit from £4.3 million this Christmas thanks to the government’s unprecedented Culture Recovery Fund for Heritage.

Those set to receive grants include:

Alexandra Park and Palace – £702,000
The rare surviving example of a Victorian pleasure palace is known globally as the birthplace of television. Funding will support Alexandra Palace with staffing and plans to deliver a calendar of theatre and large outdoor events in 2022 to generate income.

Chiswick House and Gardens Trust – £109,900
The House and Gardens are internationally recognised as a place of historic significance for their place in architectural and garden history. A Grade I listed Conservatory designed by the architect Samuel Ware in 1813, houses the largest collection of heritage camellias under glass in the world. A Walled Garden dating back to 1682, which was converted into a Kitchen Garden by a group of local volunteers in 2005, now an essential community outreach resource. Funding will enable continued operation and ensure a Spring 2022 reopening.

Romney Hythe & Dymchurch Railway – £641,800
The railway is a unique steam operated railway crossing Romney Marsh which has operated for 93 years on the same site with the same 1/3 scale main line style steam locomotives. It offers a glimpse to all generations of a former era. The fleet of locomotives are the finest at this scale in the world and all remain in use because of the heritage engineering skills developed, maintained and taught at the railway. Funding will support staffing to carry out the essential winter maintenance and safety work ahead of the railway’s planned re-opening next spring.

Frogmore Mill – £213, 600.
Frogmore Paper Mill is operated by the Apsley Paper Trail, a charitable trust founded to conserve the unique industrial heritage of this site in Hemel Hempstead. In 1803 Frogmore Paper Mill was the place selected by Henry and Sealy Fourdrinier for the trials of their newly patented paper machine. Still a working paper mill, it is now also a visitor, education and community use centre. The Culture Recovery Fund grant will support work to maintain ongoing operations alongside necessary enhancements to improve operational viability.

Nearly 140 heritage organisations in England will benefit from £15.5 million this Christmas thanks to the government’s unprecedented Culture Recovery Fund for Heritage.

This winter sites like Alexandra Park and Palace and The British Music Experience in Liverpool will receive a share of £14.8 million in continuity support grants as part of this next round of funding. Almost £1 million in emergency grants will also be awarded to 12 Heritage organisations struggling to survive, providing them with a financial lifeline.

A total of £138 million has been awarded to heritage organisations from the three rounds of the government’s £2 billion Culture Recovery Fund support package made available for arts, culture and heritage organisations during the pandemic. This third round of grants are part of the additional £300 million announced by the Chancellor at March’s Budget.

Heritage Minister Nigel Huddleston said:
“I’m delighted that this vital funding from our unprecedented Culture Recovery Fund is giving so many brilliant heritage organisations a helping hand this winter. I want everyone to enjoy what our fascinating and diverse heritage has to offer and with this money we’re safeguarding these organisations for generations to come.”
Louise Stewart, CEO of Alexandra Park and Palace Charitable Trust, says:

“We’re hugely grateful to receive this support from the Cultural Recovery Fund, it is crucial to our ability to remain operational, despite the ongoing impact of the pandemic. It helps the Park and Palace stay open; safely providing culture, leisure and learning activities to millions of people. It also means we can keep people in work and continue to contribute significantly to our local economy. Our thanks go to the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Historic England and the DCMS for their continued support of Alexandra Palace and the cultural and heritage sectors.”

Ros Kerslake, Chief Executive, National Lottery Heritage Fund, said:

“This latest round of the Culture Recovery Fund for Heritage provides a welcome Christmas boost for Heritage organisations. With the situation changing daily, the funding will be crucial in helping heritage sites navigate their seasonal activities ensuring the safety of their visitors and their communities. The grants will also support organisations in implementing business plans as they work round the challenges for the coming year, helping financial sustainability and driving tourism so that we can look to a bright future for our heritage sector.”

Duncan Wilson, Chief Executive, Historic England said:

“We are delighted that the Culture Recovery Fund for Heritage grants continue to keep so many heritage organisations going. From major historic buildings to small community organisations promoting local heritage – all deserve this support, to continue to open up to everyone the opportunities that our shared history creates.”

Investing in heritage will not only support Covid19 economic recovery but also improve people’s lives and make communities better places to live, creating jobs, driving tourism and improving wellbeing.

The Culture Recovery Fund for Heritage is administered by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, in partnership with Historic England on behalf of the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.
For a full list of all the Culture Recovery Fund for Heritage awards please visit https://www.heritagefund.org.uk/about/decisions/culture-recovery-fund-round-three