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European
Route of Industrial Heritage |
Latest News |
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Latest News |
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First Belgian Anchor Points received ERIH signs |
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30 MAY 2007 - LA LOUVIERE
The Flemish Mining Museum in Beringen and the Ecomuseum Bois-du-Luc in La Louvière are the first two Anchor Points in Belgium joining the ERIH network and thereby increase the total number of Anchor Points to 65. During an official presentation on 30th May the two new Anchor Points received the ERIH signs. Since 1983 the Ecomuseum Bois-du-Luc gives access to the historical colliery St. Emmanuel situated in the former Belgian coal area Le Centre. The site – a jewel of mining architecture – was shut down in 1959. Nowadays, visitors can experience the strict hierarchy of the mine operation as well as the close interaction of the production chain and have a glance on a typical worker’s house in the early 20th century. The Flemish Mining Museum is located in a former colliery in Beringen in Limburg. The mine went in production shortly after 1900 and is very well preserved even today. As the mine was built in a former agricultural region, complete new housing for the workers needed to be built as well. Today the workers housing estate is part of the industrial monument as well as the renatured rock tips.
La Louvière, Ecomuseum Bois-du-Luc
Beringen, Flemish Mining Museum
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Spanish Region Asturias wants to join ERIH |
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ERIH – The European Route of Industrial Heritage is expanding into Spain
On 10th May, in Essen, the Asturian Minister for Culture and Tourism Ana Rosa Migoya handed over an official letter of intent from the Region of Asturias expressing their wish to join the ERIH network. Until now ERIH was limited to sites in North-West Europe. A link with the region in the North of Spain would enrich the ERIH network considerably. It would also be an opportunity for Asturias to extend and develop cultural tourism and promote their industrial heritage sites to international visitors.Asturias like many other regions in Europe, is marked by coal mining and the steel industry. The region also has a number of disused winding towers, machine halls, locker-rooms, chimneys and huge factory workshops telling the story of 150 years industrial history. Some of the sites have already been modified as part of the sustainability programme and are now used as: for example, a railway and a mining museum.
More information about Asturias
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Gulbenkian Prize - ERIH Museum on Long List |
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March 2007 - BraintreeCongratulations to The Braintree District Museum’s Warner Textile Archive, a popular ERIH site on the regional route "The Industrious East", on reaching the "long-listed", (the final ten) competing for the prestigious Gulbenkian Prize for museums and galleries. Congratulations to The Braintree District Museum’s Warner Textile Archive, a popular ERIH site on the regional route "Industrious East", on reaching the "long-listed", (the final ten) competing for the prestigious Gulbenkian Prize for museums and galleries. Braintree District Museum’s Warner Textile Archive, Essex, is a unique record of the manufacture and design of textiles over the past 200 years, housed in the original 19th century mill, where many of the designs and fabrics were first created. The gallery is achieving an international reputation among designers, scholars and visitors. At the end of March a shortlist of the final four museums and galleries, competing for the coveted £100,000 Gulbenkian Prize, will be announced; and the winnerwill be chosen by the selection team at the end of May. Vote for your favourite long listed museum:
The general public also have an opportunity to vote for their favourite Museum or Gallery through a separate on line competition that is stimulating interest in museums from a new generation of enthusiasts. Voting details and a list of the final ten galleries and museums can be found on 24 Hour Museum • Gulbenkian Prize • 24 Hour Museum • Warner Textile Archive
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Lion Salt Works awarde a plaque |
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March 2007 - NorthwichFelicity Goodey, Chair, North West Tourism recently unveiled the ERIH plaque at Lion Salt Works, Northwich. Robina McNeil, ERIH UK Partner, from Manchester University Archaeology Unit and Richard Hamlett, Chairman of Lion Salt Works Trust and members of staff attended the ceremony. "Today marks a tremendous step forward for Lion Salt Works, to be chosen as an Anchor Point is a great honour indeed" said Felicity Goodey. "I was particularly excited when I was invited to unveil the plaque for a number of reasons: firstly, I used to be the BBC’s industrial correspondent and spent a great deal of time in this area, sadly charting the decline of many aspects of the local industry, and was married to a former ICI man who sold salt worldwide. So we have always had a personal interest in the story of the Lion Salt Works and have watch the progress of the project from afar. I have no doubt that the Trust will secure match funding for its Heritage Lottery award, and will be able to fully restore this unique site." The Lion Salt Works as a restored site will provide an extremely valuable tourist attraction. Felicity added, "It is critical, from a tourism and educational perspective, that we don’t loose site of our industrial heritage and the importance that salt has played. It was once considered as valuable as gold - Now there is a thought! It is really important that this project flourishes." Robina McNeil, ERIH UK Partner said that, ‘Sites like the Lion Salt Works have an important role to play in the presentation and understanding of our industrial heritage." Receiving the plaque Richard Hamlett, Chairman of Lion Salt Works Trust said, "The unveiling should be seen as another important stepping-stone on the way to the restoration of the Lion Salt Works. The Shire Publication book, The Salt Industry written last year by Andrew and Annelise Fielding set out a role for the Lion Salt Works as the co-ordinator of a thematic trail for salt heritage around the UK and to salt making sites abroad.’ It is becoming recognised that sites such as Lion Salt Works provide many children and adults with a great introduction to history and that many people have their first understanding of their roots, and where they have come from, as a tourists.
Lion Salt Works
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National Waterfront Museum Swansea receive ERIH plaque |
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MARCH 2007 - SWANSEACllr Gerald Clement, Swansea Council's Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Culture, Recreation and Tourism recently received the ERIH Anchor Point plaque from David Buckley, ERIH UK coordinator at ceremony in South Wales watched by John Williams-Davies, Director of Museum Operations at the National Waterfront Museum, Swansea. "This ERIH plaque is a mark of recognition by European heritage specialists, who are delighted that the National Waterfront Museum is part of the European Route of Industrial Heritage network", said David Buckley. The Museum has an extensive collection under the headings: art, archaeology & numismatics, biodiversity & systematic, biology, geology, social & cultural history as well as industry. The industrial collection has details of maritime & transport, coal mining collections, modern & contemporary industry and heavy industry supported by an extensive photographic archive and library.
National Waterfront Museum, Swansea
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World Heritage Site Völklinger Ironworks officially acknowledged as Anchor Point |
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7/8 FEBRUARY 2007 – SAAR-LOR-LUX-REGION The World Heritage Site Vöklingen Ironworks has now been recognised as an ERIH Anchor Point. On 7 February, during an international ERIH Partner conference, the special ERIH Anchor Point plaque was unveiled. The Völklingen Ironworks founded in the 19th century was the first industrial heritage site to be declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Documents recording more than 100 years of iron production can be found at the site. In the Saar-Lor-Lux Region the Völklingen Ironworks together with “La Mine – Musée du Carreau Wendel” in France and the Industry and Railway Park “Fond-de-Gras” in Luxembourg form a triangle of Anchor Points. On the second day of the conference “La Mine – Musée du Carreau Wendel” was officially awarded Anchor Point status. Völklingen Iron WorksPetite-Rosselle, La mine. Musée du Carreau Wendel
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MORITZ - Discover textile museums by PDA |
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Visitors can discover industrial history by the new system MORITZ in which currently "Mobile tours in European textile industry centres" (Mobile Rundgänge in Europäischen Textilindustrie Zentren) using a PDA are developed. Users cannot only get interactive information about exhibitions in the industrial heritage museums in Delmenhorst, Riga and Lodz, but also about the industrial sites, their history and technical details. First results of the common project developed by ZIMT - Zentrum für Informatik and Medientechnologie (University of Bremen) and the ERIH Anchor Point North-West German Industrial Heritage Museum in Delmenhorst, which is funded by the EU programme Culture 2000, will be presented on 14 February in Delmenhorst. Nordwolle DelmenhorstMore information about MORITZ
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Rhondda Heritage Park Celebrations |
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February 2007 - RHONDDAThe staff of Rhondda Heritage Park joined the director John Harrison and the Head of Museums and Libraries for Rhondda Cynon Taf, Gill Evans to celebrate their recent membership of the ERIH network. The event was marked by a presentation of an ERIH plaque by ERIH, UK Co-ordinator David Buckley following a tour of this exciting heritage centre. "I am very pleased to be here to hand over the sign and to wish Rhondda Heritage Park all the success of being a member of ERIH", said David Buckley. Cllr Graham Thomas, Rhondda Cynon Taf cabinet member for Culture, Recreation and Tourism responded: "To have Rhondda Heritage Park nominated as an Anchor Point on the prestigious European Route of Industrial Heritage is indeed an honour. Often in Wales we perhaps don't appreciate the significance of what we have on our doorstep and to have our own familiar Heritage Park alongside many of the top industrial heritage sites in Europe indicates the significance and importance of what we have in our local area".
Rhondda Heritage Park
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RHONDDA HERITAGE PARK JOINS ERIH |
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8th NOVEMBER 2006 - TREHAFOD
We are delighted to welcome The Rhondda Heritage Park, in central Wales, has been accepted as an Anchor Point in the ERIH network. This huge park is on the site of a former coalmine and now includes a simulated underground visitors’ experience, art exhibition space and a visitors’ centre, attracting people from across the country. Started by ex-miners in 1987, some of whom still work at the site, this is an ideal venue to inform and educate as well as stimulating the imagination of visitors, young and slightly older. ERIH UK Co-ordinator, David Buckley is delighted with new addition to the network of 23 Anchor Points in the UK. “The Rhondda Heritage Park provides an outstanding experience of coal mining and of the lives of people who worked in industry.” Rhondda is located in the heart of the mining area of Wales.
Rhondda Heritage Park
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IGNITION AT GUN POWDER MILLS |
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DECEMBER 2006 - WALTHAM ABBEYEnthusiastic representatives from the East of England regional route attended the “Ignition” workshop at the Royal Gun Powder Mills, Waltham Abbey. The theme “Ignition” represented the spark that will trigger the sites into working closely together to encourage cross-cultural visits and encourage the public to explore new industrial heritage sites within the region. The Workshop was a great opportunity for directors and managers of ERIH sites to discuss the development of their businesses and to consider ways of increasing visitor numbers, maximising visitors’ spend and ensuring visitor satisfaction. Sourcing funding, (form filling and the challenge of providing supporting evidence) is an essential task for most heritage sites. Jackie Bennett, director of the Apsley Paper Trail, shared her successes in funding raising for the next stage in the development of their site in Hertfordshire. The Apsley Mills is on the site that launched paper’s industrial revolution 200 years ago: Jackie commented,. “ The Paper Trail is creating a unique centre for innovation, learning and sustainability based around paper media.” The true meaning of “Ignition” was revealed during an explosive video illustrating the history of the making of gunpowder, a screening that is very popular with visitors, especially the school groups. Escaping the bangs and crashes from the screen we were given an extensive tour of the site by land train, this enabled us to see the preparation huts, small canals used for transporting munitions and the testing ponds, as well as the wildlife. Feedback from the delegates was really positive and it was agreed that “Ignition 2” would take place in the Spring of 2007 to build on ideas and recommendations from the initial workshop.
Details of Royal Gun Powder Mills
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PRESENTATION TO KEW BRIDGE STEAM MUSEUM |
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OCTOBER 2006 - LONDON
On the edge of the river Thames sits one of the one of the most prestigious UK Steam Museums: the Kew Bridge Steam Museum, a popular attraction for visitors of all ages. In September David Buckley, ERIH UK Co-ordinator presented the first ERIH Anchor Point plaque to the Museum in front of an audience of local councillors, visitors and friends of the Museum.
Oliver Pearcey, Trustee of the Kew Bridge Steam Museum – welcomed the guests and commented that: “the Museum has always been aware of its European and International connections. The European Route of Industrial Heritage (ERIH) is an exciting new venture that offers us an interesting way forward”.
David Buckley ERIH UK Co-ordinator said, “I recently attended the presentation of the first ERIH plaque in Holland, at The Museum Cruquius, a unique pumping station in Noord-Holland and I am delighted to present the first plaque in the UK to the Kew Bridge Steam Museum. The other 23 Anchor Points in the UK will be receiving their plaques in the next few weeks.”
“Since the official Launch in 2005, the European Route of Industrial Heritage has moved from concept to reality, and the unveiling of this ERIH sign at Kew Bridge Steam Museum gives recognition to the quality of this unique site that attracts huge numbers of visitors each year.”
Congratulations and on behalf of the ERIH partners, I wish the Museum every success in being a member of the ERIH network.”
Kew Bridge Steam Museum
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ERIH CONFERENCE IN THE NETHERLANDS |
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SEPTEMBER 6-7, 2006 - ZAANDAM
What is the future of ERIH? How can the route be expanded across Europe? How can ERIH be financed after the expiry of the current funding programme INTERREG III B? These are some of the questions that were discussed at the 2nd ERIH conference, which was held on 6 & 7 September at the ERIH Anchor Point Zaanse Schans in Zaandam (Netherlands). The conference was attended by over 70 representatives from Anchor Points, local and regional government, tourism organisations and also attractions that are interested in joining the network.
The expansion of the ERIH network across Europe was highlighted as a key priority. This will be achieved by systematically involving further countries in the network and also by responding to the numerous enquiries for membership of the network being received from individual sites. The delegates at the conference also developed ideas for future funding of the network, and these ideas will now be developed further by a financial consultant working on behalf of the ERIH project.
Delegates at the conference were updated on progress in establishing the network and were also shown examples of good practice on the Regionale Route HollandRoute where former industrial sites have been transformed into successful tourist attractions.
Dr. Barrie Trinder, an expert on European industrial heritage, explained the common European links of industrial heritage by showing different sites from all over Europe. Dr Trinder has been commissioned to identify sites for inclusion in the European Theme Routes. The results of his research will be available on the ERIH website very soon.
During the conference, delegates had the opportunity ot visit a number of industrial heritage sites in the area during an excursion organised by the Dutch Project Partners Stichting Industriecultuur Nederland and the Provincie Noord-Holland. The excursion included the official unveiling of ERIH plaques at the Anchor Points Zaanse Schans and the Steam Pumping Station De Cruquis.
Presentations available as pdf files for download
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AGAIN: UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE |
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JULY 26, 2006 - TAVISTOCK: MORWELLHAM QUAY TO BECOME MAJOR GATEWAY TO WORLD HERITAGE SITE
Morwellham Quay, the well-known tourist attraction and ERIH Anchor Point in the Tamar Valley, is set to become a key gateway site to the newly inscribed Cornish & West Devon Mining Landscape World Heritage Site. The popular living-museum and Victorian village is due to undergo a major facelift to restore tired areas of the site and enhance the visitor experience, to ensure Morwellham Quay is ready to take its place on the World stage – World Heritage Site status means the Tamar Valley and West Devon are rated alongside places such as the Taj Mahal, the Great Wall of China and the Grand Canyon. Director of the Morwellham & Tamar Valley Trust, Anthony Power, explains; ‘Visitors will soon see major changes being made to Morwellham Quay, including improvements to the Great Dock, the latest technological audio visual interpretation equipment, wildlife and habitat enhancement including refurbishment of the hides at the nature reserve, and much more.‘ Tavistock looks set to benefit from World Heritage Site Inscription, too. As the only town to be completely redesigned on mining money, Tavistock will be a key service centre for the World Heritage Site. The World Heritage Site, inscribed only two weeks ago, consists of 10 separate areas throughout Cornwall and West Devon, recognised as having heritage and cultural importance on a global scale. The Tamar Valley is different to the other nine areas due to its unique character – the rich heritage of this special area is tucked away in woodlands, rather than exposed on cliff tops, which has resulted in the mine remains being very well preserved – isolated chimneys and revegetated mine dumps scattered through this treasured landscape are only part of the story. The Valley also used waterpower, rather than steam, more than any other area. Morwellham Quay, the well-known tourist attraction and ERIH Anchor Point in the Tamar Valley, is set to become a key gateway site to the newly inscribed Cornish & West Devon Mining Landscape World Heritage Site.
Morwellham Quay
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UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE |
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JULY 13 - MINING LANDSCAPE OF CORNWALL AND WEST DEVON BECOMES A UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE The mining landscape of Cornwall and West Devon has become a World Heritage Site, following a decision by the World Heritage Committee, Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell announced today.
Cornwall and West Devon has supplied much of the western world's tin and copper over the last 4,000 years and, for a time during the 18th and 19th centuries, the area was the world's greatest producer of these metals. As such, it contributed substantially to Britain's Industrial Revolution and influenced mining technology and industrialisation throughout the world. It is this influence on the global culture and economy which has been acknowledged by the World Heritage Committee.
Congratulations to the ERIH Anchor Points in this region:
Penzance, Geevor Tin Mine
Tavistock, Morwellham Quay
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FUNDING FOR GEEVOR TIN MINE |
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MAY 2006: GBP 3.8 MILLION TO CREATE FINEST MUSEUM AT GEEVOR TIN MINECornwall County Council's Environment & Heritage Service has received funding approval for the development stage of a GBP 3.8 million project to create the UK's finest museum of hard rock mining at Geevor Tin Mine.
Funders including the Heritage Lottery Fund and European Community Objective One gave the go-ahead following detailed assessment of the international importance of Geevor Tin Mine - the best preserved tin mining complex in Europe. The first development stage totalling GBP 420,000 will go towards a number of works including:
- Conservation of 21 buildings at Geevor Tin Mine and improvements to access - Creation of a major new museum of hard-rock mining in the vast space of Geevor Tin Mine's Top Fitting Shop
- New visitor facilities including toilets at the adjacent Levant Mine, which is a National Trust property open to the public
- Biodiversity surveys and the development of an ecological trail
The development phase has already begun and includes the implementation of the visitor facilities at Levant Mine - continuing until January 2007. If final funding bids are approved, the remainder of the works will be implemented with completion expected by Easter 2008. The Heritage Lottery Fund has already set aside GBP 2.3 million funding for the implementation phase.
Geevor Tin Mine is a key site in the proposed Cornish Mining World Heritage Site and the new museum will include the story of Penwith's mining heritage as well as the extraordinary story of Geevor Tin Mine.
Geevor Tin Mine
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HLF FUNDING FOR LION SALT WORKS |
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4 APRIL 2006: UK'S LAST REMAINING OPEN SALT WORKS TO BE RESCURED FROM RUIN
The last remaining open pan salt works in the UK is to be rescued from ruin and opened up to the public thanks to funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF). Lion Salt Works in Cheshire is one of only three surviving open pan salt works in Europe. In a perilous state of dereliction, the future of the historic industrial site was, until now, in jeopardy. A cash injection of £4.96 million from HLF will safeguard the site and ensure that the history of the industrial process is shared for generations to come. The site which is on the Building’s at Risk Register and designated as a Scheduled Ancient Monument, offers a rare insight into the process of salt production dating back to the nineteenth century. The technical, social and economic life of the plant is well documented and ready to be shared with the public. Film footage of the plant in action exists and much of the original machinery remains. However, the timber -framed buildings, which were never designed to be permanent structures, are now in a very poor state of repair and at severe risk from vandalism. The money will fund phase one of the plans, which will restore the principal buildings and make the area safe so that the public can once again explore the whole site. Visitors will learn about salt production through practical demonstrations and hands on activities and the money will fund the creation of modern day visitor amenities and education facilities.
Quote from Andrew Fielding, Project Director, “We are delighted with the grant approval from the HLF. Our team has worked so hard to create a viable plan to restore these vulnerable buildings and present not only the buildings but also the craft skills of evaporating brine to visitors. We will be able to demonstrate the making different grades of salt, from coarse fishery salt to fine salt and block salt and are also developing our skills to make salt in replica Iron Age ceramic salt pans and Roman lead salt pans. Salt receives some bad press today, but it is still a vital commodity in food and the chemical industry. The Trust is delighted that it can now bring its story to a wide audience and take a leading role in new local initiatives such as the Vision for Northwich, the Weaver Valley Regional Park and national and international projects such as the European Route of Industrial Heritage”.
Lion Salt Works
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ERIH ANCHOR POINT AWARDED |
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KEW BRIDGE STEAM MUSEUM IS A WINNER FOR LONDON SMALL VISITOR ATTRACTIONThe Kew Bridge Steam Museum has been voted as a Bronze winner in this year’s ‘Eurostar Visit London Awards’. The museum was selected for the coveted prize from among 5 other London venues for the Small Visitor Attraction category. Kew Bridge Steam Museum was awarded the prize as it the stood out for its high level of customer care, its successful marketing and PR campaigns and the benefits it brings to its local community. The awards recognise excellence in our world class city. There were 16 categories in all covering accommodation, attractions, entertainment and much more. Lesley Bossine, Director of the Museum said: "We are absolutely delighted to have won this award! It is testament to the hard work and dedication of our staff and team of volunteers. We would like to thank everyone who has supported us so far and look forward to even greater things in the years to come." The museum, which has recently celebrated it thirtieth anniversary and is predominantly run by over 100 volunteers, offers a wide range of activities for people of all ages. There is a busy programme of events and exhibitions throughout the year, as well as interactive educational events, for schools during term times and for children throughout the holidays. The museum is also available for corporate hire, both inside and outside in the new garden, for events such as Weddings and Birthday parties. The museum, which is now free entry to all children under 16, offers activities including free rides on the steam train, its giant beam and rotative engines in steam, Water For Life Gallery, a café and shop, group visits and behind the scenes tours.
Kew Bridge Steam Museum
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AWARD TO THE HISTORIC DOCKYARD CHATHAM |
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25 NOVEMBER 2005: EUROPEAN UNION PRIZE FOR CULTURAL HERITAGE AWARDED TO THE HISTORIC DOCKYARD CHATHAM
Rt Hon Tessa Jowell MP, Secretary of State for Culture, Media & Sport was guest of honour at a heritage award ceremony at The Historic Dockyard Chatham.The ceremony celebrated the winning of a medal at The European Union Prize for Cultural Heritage / Europa Nostra Awards which recognises Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust’s achievements during the re-development of The Historic Dockyard over the last 20 years. The medal, within the Cultural Landscapes Category, was awarded for "a programme of conservation undertaken to the highest professional standards, whilst retaining the atmosphere of a working dockyard site which successfully blends new income-generating activities with a display of historic artefacts", according to the Europa Nostra citation. Bill Ferris, Chief Executive of Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust said, "This award truly is recognition of 20 years of vision and hard work by The Trust and its many partners, including the Heritage Lottery Fund, English Heritage, Medway Council, SEEDA, European funders plus all the many contractors who have been involved over these past years. It is remarkable and demonstrates the real commitment to meeting the charitable objectives of the Trust. Every one of our small team here works hard to maintain the highest standards - this award relates to the built environment but our success in tourism, regeneration, museum and other awards demonstrates a commitment to quality and purpose rarely found - we are extremely proud to have achieved such international success."
The Historic Dockyard Chatham
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