GRIMSBY Minster has received a further £81,860 funding boost from central Government as it looks to bounce back to full health in the wake of the continued pandemic.
Successful in its application for £182,900 from one arm of the Culture Recovery Fund last month, the Grade I listed building is one of 450 heritage organisations that has now received monies from the Culture Recovery Fund for Heritage and the Heritage Stimulus Fund.
Overall, the Culture Recovery Fund is investing £1.57bn in important buildings, sites, and visitor attractions across the country. Almost 100 churches and cathedrals have been awarded monies from this latest Stimulus Fund, which is administered by Historic England and the National Lottery Heritage Fund
The Minster’s will be used for essential building improvements. These include high level masonry, parapet gutters and internal plaster work repairs. The defunct boiler will also be replaced along with an eco-friendly zoned heating system.
Delighted to receive further financial help towards the upkeep of the Minster, The Venerable Mark Steadman, Archdeacon of Stow and Lindsey said:
“Grimsby Minster is a vitally important building, sitting as it does in the centre of a town that is currently undergoing positive change.
“Rewarded with Minster status in 2010 in recognition of its commitment to the community, everyone involved in this wonderful building takes huge pride in its close links with the people of the town. Monies such as those received in the last two months will help in the work to further those links, whilst maintaining the fabric of the building,” he added.
Meanwhile the Minster team continues to be consulted on the on-going work to transform St James’ Square – both lie within Grimsby’s Heritage Action Zone (HAZ), a 2.5km stretch from this area to the Kasbah that includes some of the town’s most important heritage structures.
With work progressing well the Square is due to be completed on schedule early in the new year. Contractors, under the management of North East Lincolnshire’s regeneration partner ENGIE, are currently focused upon the installation of new lighting columns.
The ‘centrepiece’ Scoutmoor Yorkstone labyrinth is now complete with paving work, in the same material, taking place. The Fishermen’s Memorial Statue is due to be returned following cleaning, and new landscaping, seating and CCTV will create a family-friendly, public space suitable for events.
Art and cultural works are also progressing well with artists Annabel McCourt and Adrian Riley working with Grimsby organisation Our Big Picture to bring unique artistic pieces to the Square. This is being carried out under the main Grimsby Creates banner – the Cultural Development Fund-supported programme to encourage the participation in, and appreciation of, arts and culture across North East Lincolnshire.
Supporting the Minster and pleased with the Square’s progress, North East Lincolnshire Council’s cabinet member for heritage, Cllr Callum Procter, said: “It is wonderful news for the Minster with the work complementing the significant improvements taking place elsewhere. There now seems to be real momentum and a real desire in all quarters to make true and positive change across Grimsby town centre.”
Article and image from NELC.
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