Some of the constituency's valuable heritage sites have been given a crucial lifeline thanks to a major Government scheme.
The Silverstone Experience, an interactive motorsport museum about F1 is getting £572,000 and historic Stowe House is receiving £64,000. Thames Steamers at Oakley has been awarded £29,964. They received the money after successfully applying to the Cultural Recovery Fund for Heritage, set up to help the country’s cultural gems survive the pandemic.
More than £67m is being shared out among 433 successful applicants from across England to help with key maintenance work and help sites recover. A raft of famous sites across the country have been awarded funding including historical areas, buildings, monuments, collections, museums, archives and places of worship.
Additionally, 12 organisations across the country will receive £34million from the Heritage Stimulus Fund, distributed by Historic England to restart construction and maintenance and help heritage specialists and contractors in the sector. The Canal and River Trust, Soulbury Three Locks, is getting two grants of £160,348 and £64,000. Friends of Friendless Churches, Strict and Particular Baptist Chapel, Waddesdon, is getting £19,780.
Greg said he was delighted at the awards and thrilled the money would protect parts of the area’s heritage and local jobs. The CRF is funded by the Government and delivered by heritage experts - the Historic England and the National Lottery Heritage Fund - to support organisations in England across the heritage ecosystem that are local and national treasures but have fallen on hard times due to the pandemic.
Greg said: "All these projects are important parts of our heritage. I am thrilled this money will help them weather the covid storm and be there for future generations to enjoy.
“Not only can we learn so much and gain so much insight from our heritage, but it also provides jobs and a boost for the local economy in many ways. As we get through this unprecedented pandemic, the tremendous work done at these places can undoubtedly play a part in our recovery. Huge credit must go to the Government for this invaluable support.”
CEO of The Silverstone Experience Sally Reynolds added: "In what is proving to be one of the most difficult years in memory for the museum and heritage sector, I offer sincere thanks to the Department for Digital , Culture, Media and Sport for this grant. Without this money from the Culture Recovery Fund, The Silverstone Experience would be in real trouble."
CEO of Stowe House Preservation Trust Nick Morris said he was "absolutely thrilled":"This really is a lifeline for us. It comes at a time when heritage has much to offer but is severely hampered by necessary restrictions. Even among local people Stowe House is little known. We are reopening later this month on October 19th in time for half term so do come and visit us."
Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said that 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 bounceback post covid."
