Culture Recovery Fund: Bluebell Railway Awarded More Than £700k Among Organisations In Lewes District

Monday, 12 October 2020 14:44

By Charlotte Baker @Ch4rtweets

More then £2.4million from the Government's Culture Recovery Fund has been awarded to organisations in the Lewes Constituency.

Between Friday (October 9) and today (Monday) the first round of awards have been announced by the Culture Secretary, Oliver Dowden.

The funding is to help organisations face the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic and to ensure they have a sustainable future.

Around £2million was announced on Friday to be split between Bluebell Railway (£727,200), Culver Archaeological Project (£12,000), Sussex Archaeological Society (£467,500), and Wave Leisure Trust Ltd (£850,000).

Today, another £500,000 was announced to be split between The Charleston Trust (£249,995), Ditchling Museum (£98,000), So Sussex (£92,500) and Sussex Events Ltd (£50,000).

Lewes Constituency receives nearly £500k lifeline grant from Government’s £1.57bn Culture Recovery Fund

It's part of £257 million of investment has been announced today as part of the very first round of the Culture Recovery Fund grants programme being administered by Arts Council England.

Further rounds of funding in the cultural and heritage sector are due to be announced over the coming weeks.

Maria Caulfield MP said:

“The arts are a vital part of our economy and our lives so I am pleased that the government have made this funding available to arts and cultural organisations across the country.”

“Here in the Lewes Constituency it is great news that four of our local arts and cultural organisations will receive much needed support in these difficult times.”

Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said:

“This funding is a vital boost for the theatres, music venues, museums and cultural organisations that form the soul of our nation. It will protect these special places, save jobs and help the culture sector’s recovery.”

“These places and projects are cultural beacons the length and breadth of the country. This unprecedented investment in the arts is proof this government is here for culture, with further support to come in the days and weeks ahead so that the culture sector can bounce back strongly.”

Chair, Arts Council England, Sir Nicholas Serota, said:

“Theatres, museums, galleries, dance companies and music venues bring joy to people and life to our cities, towns and villages.

"This life-changing funding will save thousands of cultural spaces loved by local communities and international audiences.

"Further funding is still to be announced and we are working hard to support our sector during these challenging times.”