Historic England (HE) has announced £1.8 million in grants for 70 projects to help tackle the impact of Coronavirus on the heritage sector.
image HE webiste – © Hufton + Crow
HE writes:
….The grants range from social distancing guidance for archaeologists during digs, to supporting voluntary organisations and craft workers such as stonemasons, to emergency funding for King Henry VIII’s flagship the Mary Rose. The shipwreck is at risk of deteriorating if funds dry up for specialist climate-controlled conservation work on its hull.
The Covid-19 Emergency Response Fund was set up in April in response to Historic England’s survey of heritage organisations which revealed the adverse impact of Coronavirus on the sector. The grants will help organisations, voluntary groups and self-employed contractors survive the immediate challenges posed by the pandemic, and to prepare for recovery.
Applicants were invited to apply for grants of up to £25,000 to address financial difficulties arising from Coronavirus and for grants of up to £50,000 for projects and activities that reduce risks to heritage by providing information, resources and skills. The fund was over-subscribed, attracting around 300 applications. Applications included innovative ways of engaging visitors and volunteers while historic places are closed and online training for conservation skills.
These grants from Historic England will provide valuable help to heritage organisations across the country during this challenging time. This is on top of an unprecedented package of government support. Our heritage is of huge importance, creating jobs, boosting local economies and attracting visitors and it is of utmost importance that we do all we can to support the organisations that take care of it.
Our emergency grants are providing a much-needed safety net to organisations and businesses that are helping to save our most precious heritage such as King Henry VIII’s flagship the Mary Rose in Portsmouth. If they go out of business at this difficult time, some of our heritage will be lost forever. As we move towards recovery, we are pleased to offer grants to innovative projects and craft workers to help get the heritage economy moving. Our historic places bring us together, boost the economy and revitalise local communities. It is vital that they survive intact.
The next strand of Historic England’s Covid-19 grants response is Heritage at Risk emergency funding, in mid-June. This will make use of the important, highly skilled businesses that form a key part of the heritage sector to address the most urgent needs of our historic environment (when current restrictions have been sufficiently relaxed).
