One of South West Hertfordshire’s most valuable heritage sites has been given a crucial lifeline thanks to a major Government scheme.
Rickmansworth Waterways Trust has been awarded £20,400 after successfully applying to the Cultural Recovery Fund for Heritage, set up to help the country’s cultural gems survive the coronavirus pandemic.
Gagan Mohindra MP, was delighted at the award and how the money would protect a vital part of the area’s heritage and protect local jobs. He visited David Montague, Festival Director and Chairman of Rickmansworth Waterways Trust on Friday 9th October to congratulate their team.
The CRF is funded by the Government and delivered by heritage experts - the Historic England and the National Lottery Heritage Fund - to support organisations in England across the heritage ecosystem that are local and national treasures but have fallen on hard times due to the pandemic.
A raft of famous sites across the country have been awarded funding including historical areas, buildings, monuments, collections, museums, archives and places of worship.
Gagan Mohindra MP says "I was pleased to meet Dr David Montague on Friday to congratulate him and his team on being successful in receiving a £20,400 grant from the Government as part of the Culture Recovery Fund.
"The charity is known locally as the body that runs Ricky Festival. The grant will ensure that the charity survives to protect local jobs and our heritage."
The package of support is the first round of funding from the Government’s £1.57bn Culture Recovery Fund. A dozen organisations, including English Heritage, the National Trust and the Canal and River Trust will share £34 million from the Heritage Stimulus Fund to preserve visitor attractions.
Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said: “As a nation it is essential that we preserve our heritage and celebrate and learn from our past.
“This massive support package will protect our shared heritage for future generations, save jobs and help us prepare for a cultural bounceback post Covid. I’m so pleased that we have been able to help save Rickmansworth Waterways Trust.”
