Two of the Saffron Walden constituency’s most valuable heritage sites and a much-loved venue in Saffron Walden have been awarded lifeline grants thanks to a major Government scheme.
Audley End House and Gardens has been awarded £76,000 after successfully applying to the Cultural Recovery Fund for Heritage, set up to help the country’s cultural gems survive the coronavirus pandemic.
The Saffron Hall Trust in Saffron Walden has been £245,000 as part of the Government £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund to help face the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic and to ensure they have a sustainable future.
Hylands Estate has been awarded £105,000 after successfully applying to the Cultural Recovery Fund for Heritage, set up to help the country’s cultural gems survive the coronavirus pandemic.
Local MP for Kemi Badenoch has said she was delighted at the awards and how the money would protect a vital part of the area’s heritage and protect a local venue that offers local jobs.
The CRF is funded by the Government and delivered by cultural heritage experts - the Historic England, the National Lottery Heritage Fund and Arts Council England. Audley End House and Gardens is one of 12 organisations that will receive part of the £34 million from the Heritage Stimulus Fund, distributed by Historic England and the Saffron Hall Trust is one of 1,385 cultural and creative organisations across the country receiving urgently needed support.
Mrs Badenoch said: “Audley End House and Gardens and the Hydlands Estate are such major parts of the heritage of Saffron Walden, Chelmsford and the country. Saffron Hall is a venue that has always offered such great performances and is enjoyed by so many residents. I am pleased 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 culture and heritage, but it also provides jobs and a boost for the local economy in many ways. It is essential that we preserve our heritage and celebrate and learn from our past, especially in a constituency like ours which has so much to celebrate.
“I am so pleased that four organisations in our constituency have now benefitted from this package, which as Exchequer Secretary Minister I know the Treasury worked had on. I look forward to visiting Audley End House and Gardens, Hylands Estate and Saffron Hall in the coming months to see how the funding has really benefitted them.”
