Hartlebury Castle preservation funding bid delayed (From Kidderminster Shuttle)

Hartlebury Castle preservation funding bid delayed

10:00am Saturday 22nd September 2012 in News By William Tomaney

ORGANISERS of a bid to preserve Hartlebury Castle say the project is still on track despite a decision to delay its application for vital funding.

Hartlebury Castle Preservation Trust had planned to submit its revised bid for money from the Heritage Lottery Fund in October but have now put that deadline back to December so they can further develop the proposal.

Their previous application was rejected in November 2011.

It comes after the trust and site owners, the Church Commissioners, agreed a price of £2.54 million for the freehold of the castle, gardens and 40 acres of parkland.

Preservation trust Chairman Alison Brimelow said: “This year we are working with specialist consultants who advise bids.

“A number of things have changed since last year and it is not just about tidying up our bid we had to do additional work particularly in the area of environmental impact.

“The advice we got was that we stood a much better chance if we deferred it. We are disappointed because we wanted to enter the bid in October but at the same time if you receive expert advice, you have to take that advice.

“The Church Commissioners are aware of the situation and the overall timetable will not be disrupted by this.”

The sale will also involve a long-term loan of important pictures and furniture, including the historic books in the Hurd Library which was built for Richard Hurd, Bishop of Worcester, in 1782.

Its collection includes a New Testament given to Alexander Pope by Jonathan Swift and a 1611 edition of Spenser’s works, which was opened by John Dryden and then Mr Pope.