Repairs to Newstead Abbey get go-ahead

The plan has been several years in the making, but has now been made official after a spending package was approved by site-owner Nottingham City Council.

Spending on the project, which is expected to be finished by October, will come from Historic England, the World Monument Fund and donations.

Historic England has made a grant of £151,334, The World Monuments Fund has given £57,000, and the council is providing £101,666.

Young man found hanged in woods, inquest hearsThis council’s contribution is partly made up of £78,983 generated from donations and initiatives such as the adopt-a-stone appeal.

The council said that the final £22,683 needed for the project is expected to be covered from further donations from patrons and visitors and fundraising activities.

Councillor Dave Trimble is the council’s portfolio holder for leisure, localities and IT, and said: “Newstead Abbey and Gardens is one of Nottinghamshire’s flagship sites which has been loved by generations of people.

“We are delighted that with the generous help from Historic England, the World Monument Fund and the Adopt a Stone Appeal we are now able to begin repairing the West Front and Cannon Fort, safeguarding the future of this fabulous Grade 1 listed building.”

A council report said: “The museum service has been working for over two years to secure funding to remove Newstead Abbey from the Heritage at Risk Register.

“The service has succeeded and recently been awarded grants from Historic England and the World Monument Fund to undertake a development phase to include both the 12th Century

West Front and 15th Century Cannon Fort as well as complete the essential repair work to the West Front and Cannon Fort.

“The service is incredibly grateful to have received such a large grant fund from Historic England, who rarely award such sizable grants so we are incredibly fortunate.”