Delapré Abbey Preservation Trust has received £129,500 from The National Lottery Heritage Fund to continue its work of preservation and promotion of this much-loved Northampton asset.
The 12th century Abbey, which opened its doors to visitors for the first time in 2018, has been largely closed since the Covid-19 pandemic and lockdown began and unable to generate its own income through admissions, events, weddings, room hire and other activities.
Richard Clinton, Chief Executive of Delapré Abbey Preservation Trust, said: “Delapré Abbey is a source of connection and pride within the local community and beyond, and we thank the National Lottery and its players for this funding which will enable us to continue our work with a focus on community engagement, wellbeing, and growing the Trust’s sustainability.
“We’re grateful that The National Lottery Heritage Fund is supporting us at this crucial time – the money will enable us to drive forward initiatives that widen access to heritage such as our partnership with Warts and All Theatre which will provide accessible and relevant programmes for young people.”
Andrew Lewer, MP for Northampton South, said “I am delighted that Delapré Abbey Preservation Trust has secured this lifeline funding in what must be its most vulnerable and critical period of its existence. Delapré Abbey is nothing less than a treasure for Northampton and the County. I am so proud it is in my constituency and for the great opportunities it affords the local community.”
Steve Edmonds, Chair of the Trustees, Delapré Abbey Preservation Trust, said: “We want to thank the National Lottery Heritage Fund and its players for this funding which will enable us to continue our vital work ensuring that one of the town’s most important heritage assets continues to thrive and benefit our community.”
The funding, made possible by National Lottery players, was awarded through The National Lottery Heritage Fund’s Heritage Emergency Fund. £50million has been made available to provide emergency funding for those most in need across the heritage sector.
The UK-wide fund will address both immediate emergency actions and help organisations to start thinking about recovery.
Ros Kerslake, Chief Executive of The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “Heritage has an essential role to play in making communities better places to live, supporting economic regeneration and benefiting our personal wellbeing. All of these things are going to be even more important as we emerge from this current crisis.
“Thanks to money raised by National Lottery players we are pleased to be able to lend our support to organisations such as Delapré Abbey during this uncertain time.”
Like Delapré Abbey, other charities and organisations across the UK that have been affected by the unprecedented impact of the coronavirus outbreak are being given access to a comprehensive package of support of up to £600 million of repurposed money from The National Lottery. This money is supporting some of the most vulnerable people in our communities and span the arts, community, charity, heritage, education, environment and sports sectors.
Thanks to National Lottery players, £30 million is raised every week for good causes, including heritage of local and national importance. By playing The National Lottery, people up and down the country are making an amazing contribution to the nationwide-response to combatting the impact of COVID-19 on local communities across the UK.
The National Lottery Heritage Fund is currently open to applications for its Heritage Emergency Fund. To find out more visit: heritagefund.org.uk/responding-coronavirus-covid-19
To find out more about the National Lottery Good Causes , visit: lotterygoodcauses.org.uk/coronavirus-pandemic-response
