Historic project wins Heritage Lottery Fund approval

Date published: 17 January 2012

Bury Council has secured a first round approval from the Heritage Lottery Fund for the Radcliffe Heritage project.

The project aims to enhance the ancient core of Radcliffe by upgrading the land around Radcliffe Tower and the former Parish Church, and to continue improvements to Close Park.

A grant of £30,000 has been made by the Heritage Lottery Fund towards development costs of £44,000, with the council funding part of the remainder. It is hoped that this will be the first stage in supporting a £300,000 scheme.

The project will upgrade the 15th Century Radcliffe Tower, which is a Grade 1 Listed building and scheduled monument, landscape surrounding land, and improve historic features within Close Park. Together with the churchyard at St Mary’s Church, these will provide an improved green extension to Close Park, and will also contain information of the area’s history.

A key part of the scheme is to investigate the archaeology of the area through a community dig, working closely with local schools and the Friends of Close Park, and with the local community invited to take part in open days. The project will provide opportunities for learning and education, and for improving local ecology and access. Other partners on the project are English Heritage, the Church of England, and the Greater Manchester Archaeological Unit.

Councillor Tony Isherwood, Bury Council’s executive member for environment and economy, said: “This is very positive news, and brings nearer the opportunity to preserve Radcliffe’s heritage and enhance it for future generations to enjoy and learn from.”

£50,000 to be invested in one of Radcliffe’s oldest buildings:
http://www.buryfocus.co.uk/news-features/17/news/38565/50000-to-be-invested-in-one-of-radcliffes-oldest-buildings