Heritage Lottery Fund

As stated previously, I think our best bet is to apply for funding from the Heritage Lottery funding as the House ticks all the boxes. Whilst I accept that you probably think this is a long shot, there is a precedent in that the Larkhill Centre was built using lottery funding (although a different fund).

I have taken the following criterion from the Heritage Lottery fund's website: Is it right for you -How to apply

Criterion

Match
1. Is your grant request for £50,000 or more? Grant required would be at least £300,000

2. Is your project linked to the national, regional or local heritage of the U.K.?

If your project does not involve an officially recognised item you will need to demonstrate the importance of your project to heritage.

Watling Gate is a grade II listed building, Newton Park is valuable green space

3. Will your project conserve and enhance the UK's diverse heritage; and to ensure that everyone can learn about, have access to, and enjoy their heritage?

You should be able to demonstrate the importance of your heritage item, and how you will protect its significance. Also, you should be able to show that your project will increase involvement in heritage by attracting new users.

The aim of the project will be to restore Watling Gate, only one of two listed buildings in Timperley, for the benefit of the whole community, trying to draw in as many groups as possible. Some people have also suggested a small local museum, perhaps giving a photographic history of Timperley. This, too, should increase people's awareness of their heritage.

We should also emphasise that the park is as much our heritage as the house and that, by protecting the house we ensure that future generations continue to have improved access to the land.

4. Will your project ensure that everyone can learn about, have access to and enjoy their heritage.

Your project should aim to overcome obstacles to access and learning about heritage. These obstacles may be physical or sensory, intellectual, cultural or economic. Your organisation must show how it aims to tackle such obstacles so more people can experience and enjoy heritage.

Given the alternative, sale to a private developer, proving that the project will overcome obstacles should be a no brainer.

The fact that, for the first time in over forty years, people will be able to gain admittance to Watling Gate demonstrates that the aim is to ensure that everyone has access to, and can, enjoy their heritage.

Again, by emphasising the interdependence of the house and park, and giving plans to improve linkages between the different areas, we can demonstrate improved accessability.

5. Can you make a contribution of cash or non-cash items from other sources?

We want to see that you have the support of other organisations. We require 10% partnership funding for grant request below 1 million.

This is going to be the biggie. However, note that contributions can be in case or in kind.

  • Fundraising From the time of application to the award is six months, so we have that long to get the £30,000 required.
  • In Kind contributions: It is possible to get donations in kind, rather than cash. If we can get local professionals, craftsmen and educational establishments involved, this could count towards funding, but, more importantly would also help to build local involvement and commitment.
  • Donations: Could ask individuals and organizations for contributions. Also, many charities, such as toddler groups, have surpluses that they might be willing to lend us on an interest free basis. To be paid back from the income from the house.
  • Covenants: If we were to form a charity, which we need to do anyway, then we could ask donors to covenant their donations, thereby getting Gordon to contribute that little bit extra;

6. Are you a not-for-profit organisation?

 Yes