• HLF Funding Secured for Next Phase of Restoration
    21/11/2009

    Torre Abbey has secured a further Lottery Heritage Fund grant to help complete the second phase of its multi-million pound refurbishment.
     
    The Heritage Lottery Fund has awarded Torbay Council £124,000 to prepare detailed plans for further much needed renovations to the sea-facing south range, cloister walks and to restore important ruins on the site.   

    The south range
    This is one of just 5 projects across the UK to receive a first stage approval in the HLF's current funding announcements; a clear endorsement of the Abbey's outline proposals.  Other prestigious projects to receive the first stage go-ahead are Stonehenge, Colchester Castle, the Pavilion on Penarth Pier, Glamorgan and the Charles Dickens Museum in London.

    The Heritage Lottery Fund has already contributed nearly £5m towards the £6.56m first phase of works that transformed the main parts of the abbey and allowed it to reopen to the public last year.

    Lottery fund spokeswoman Carole Souter said: "Torre Abbey is a truly special place - full of wonderful surprises at unexpected moments.  As one of Devon's most treasured heritage sites, we're delighted to be supporting initial plans to restore the building as well as open it up much more widely for everyone's enjoyment."

    The second phase involves restoring the south range of the abbey facing the sea, particularly the leaking mid-18th century lead roof, damaged lintels over the windows and doors and a structurally unsound damp wall.  The ruins behind the mansion will also be repaired and the cloister walks will be completed. They currently have a temporary gravel surface unsuitable for wheelchairs.

    Cloister garden
    More information in the form of touch screen guidebooks, audio guides and museum panels will be provided.  These changes reflect the wishes of Abbey visitors, gathered in comprehensive surveys undertaken during 2009.

    Torbay Council cabinet member for community services, Dave Butt, said: "This was a difficult stage to win funding for and it is an amazing achievement. Thanks to the hard work of everyone involved and the support from the Heritage Lottery Fund we can now move forward to the final round."

    Dr Michael Rhodes, head of museum services for Torbay Council, said: "This is fantastic news. The amount of funding available has reduced and there is stiff competition from around the country.  It is a tribute to the hard work of the team who put the bid together, the support of the Friends of Torre Abbey, the council as a whole and the Torbay Development Agency.

    Torbay Council's heritage champion, Cllr Colin Charlwood, said: "This is fantastic news for Torre Abbey. I would like to thank Dr Rhodes, the Friends, the Heritage Lottery Fund and everyone else who has worked so hard to reach this stage."

     

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