HERITAGE LOTTERY FUND GRANT £891,000 TO MONUMENT

We all have much to celebrate!  The following news was made public at the 10^th March 2008 Ulverston Town Council Meeting:

 “PRESS RELEASE:

SUCCESSFUL BID TO HERITAGE LOTTERY FUND FOR ULVERSTON’S SIR JOHN BARROW MONUMENT

The Heritage Lottery fund has awarded Ulverston Town Council in Cumbria £891,000 towards the restoration of the Sir John Barrow Monument on Hoad Hill in Ulverston, Cumbria. The total project cost is £1,120,000.

The lighthouse shaped monument is Ulverston and South Lakeland’s most recognisable landmark. It can be seen for many miles and has become an iconic and much loved symbol for the town and the Furness Peninsula.  It stands on Hoad Hill, a 430ft high summit close to the town centre where the monument commands views over Morecambe Bay, the Lake District, Furness Peninsula and the Pennines.

Repair and Refurbishment:
During 2008 extensive planning work will take place with the architects Lloyd Evans Prichard from Manchester and the town council monument committee. An extensive programme of repair and refurbishment is proposed, which will commence on site in spring 2009.  It is anticipated that the monument will re-open early in 2010.  Some of the funding will support projects that will improve access, including the installation of a web cam, learning opportunities for young people, improvements to the lower level paths and access at Ladies Walk. There will also be improvements to signage and specially organised events for schools together with access days for people with disabilities.

Sara Hilton, Heritage Lottery Fund Regional Manager for the North West, said:

"After years of braving the elements, this much loved monument is in desperate need of repair.  Our grant will enable the stories behind the site to be revealed and help ensure it continues to stand as both a tribute to a famous man and as an iconic landmark on the area's skyline."

Chairman of the town council’s Monument Restoration Committee Cllr Colin Hodgson said; “I am absolutely delighted that our bid has been successful and look forward to carrying out the work and  re-opening of the monument.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank everybody who has supported the project development over the last three years, including Jayne Kendall Regeneration Manager for SLDC who prepared the bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund, The Friends of the Sir John Barrow Monument who have worked so hard and the people of Ulverston, South Lakeland and indeed around the world for their generosity in contributing time and funds. I would also like to thank South Lakeland District Council, Cumbria County Council, Townlands Trust and Ulverston Market town initiative for their financial support.

I would like to emphasize that we still need to carry on raising funds as we are committed to the Heritage Lottery Fund to raise an additional £50,000 over the next two years. This is over and above the sum of £44,000 raised so far by the Friends of the Monument and others.  Donations can be sent to Ulverston Town Council, Town Hall, Queen Street, Ulverston, LA12 7ES”

Background:
This 100ft monument was constructed in 1850 from limestone and is in the shape of a former Eddystone Lighthouse. It is now floodlit at night.  It was built as a tribute to Sir John Barrow who was born in Ulverston in 1764 and commemorates his naval achievements. Sir John Barrow was an academic and naval administrator. He taught mathematics in Greenwich before travelling on a Government expedition to China in 1792. He became fluent in many languages including Mandarin Chinese.  He became Second Secretary to the Admiralty from 1804 – 1845 and promoted British exploration of West Africa and the North Polar Region. Expeditions included those by Sir John Ross, Sir James Clark Ross and Sir John Franklin. He was the civil servant who exiled Napoleon to St Helena and also wrote the official report on the Mutiny on the Bounty.

Monument Closure:
The monument was closed in 2003 because of severe ingress of water.  As owners of the monument, Ulverston Town Council is anxious to re-open the monument for the community and visitors.

For further information contact Jayne Kendall – Project Officer 01229 588499

j.kendall@southlakeland.gov.uk

Colin Hodgson – Project Chairman: 01229  583584

Ends”  

View the Architect's Phase 2 Drawings:

With the HLF agreeing to give us their complete support, the project can now go ahead in its entirety. 

In reaching this excellent outcome a MASSIVE THANK YOU is due to those who have supported the Friends’ Group over the past 3.75 years, by attending meetings, supporting functions, helping with the excellent fund raising opportunities (£44,000 to date) or simply by spreading the word.  A total of over 3,000 man hours have been recorded as volunteered in support of the Monument over the life of the Friends, equating, at HLF rates, to approx £60,000.  This is a fantastic effort by all. 

The entire community of Monument supporters can take immense pride and satisfaction in this very successful HLF funding outcome. 

Programme of restoration work: 

2008 – Obtain quotations.

2009 – Renovate the Monument

·        March – Erect scaffolding

·        April to October – Renovation work

·        November – Remove scaffolding

2010 – Formal opening in the Spring 

View the Architect's Phase 2 Drawings:

Click here to see the Phase 1 Report  

See current timing programme

The 10% funding for Phase 1 of the work came from the Ulverston and Low Furness Market Town Initiative and from funds raised by the Ulverston Partnership.

• To view the Donations Status or to make a Donation, please click here

• To become involved with the Friends activities please contact Richard Saunders on:

Phone / Fax:         01229 584436

E-Mail:         enquiries@sirjohnbarrowmonument.co.uk

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