Delight as Trust achieves round 1 pass for Heritage Lottery funding
The Sheerness Dockyard Preservation Trust (SDPT) is delighted to announce the success of its £4.75m Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) bid for the rescue, repair and transformation of one of England’s great forgotten monuments, the Grade II* listed former Dockyard Church, Sheerness, on the Isle of Sheppey, Kent.
Full Press Release with contact details and images here
The Trust has received a Round 1 pass from HLF for a Heritage Enterprise Grant, which unlocks £500,000 of development funding, with a further £4.25m becoming available on the successful completion of the development phase. Over the coming months the Trust will be appointing its professional team, including project architect, first embarking on £200,000 of urgent works (joint-funded by Historic England and Heritage Lottery Fund) to secure the fabric of the building.
This pioneering project will transform Dockyard Church, providing a number of uses, including a new ‘enterprise centre’ and a permanent display space for one of the great wonders of British naval history, the vast Model of Sheerness Dockyard, created in the early 19th century and measuring 40ft square when fully assembled.
The HLF Enterprise Grant funding will enable the Trust to:
Secure the fabric of the Church by undertaking immediate urgent repairs.
Create a new Enterprise Centre – with partners including the London Youth Support Trust – which will bring together, in one place, all of the strands of support for young people to help them develop and sustain their businesses: from school leavers’ support and training, to premises, business mentoring and career development initiatives.
Conserve and return to Sheerness the great Dockyard Model and allow public access via the upper floor of the Church.
Provide a community café and event space venue for local and regional hire.
The grant award marks the end of a two-year initiative to find a beneficial and viable new use for the building since it was taken into the ownership of the new Trust, a process enabled by funding from HLF, Historic England, Swale Borough Council, the Architectural Heritage Fund and the Pilgrim Trust.
The total project cost is £8.5m and the Trust will be embarking on a major fundraising drive over the next year to raise the remaining match funding.
Quote from William Palin, Chair of the SDPT:
‘The award of this major National Lottery grant represents a great moment both for Dockyard Church and for the Isle of Sheppey and a huge vote of confidence in our project. This is a building which just a few years ago appeared to be on the brink of collapse, with no future and no hope, standing as a melancholy reminder of the changing fortunes of this once proud naval Dockyard and community. Now it will become the focus of major investment to restore its dignity and give it a new future at the heart of the life in the region. At the end of the project, its monumental Classical portico will once again give entry to a building bustling with life, where people will come for work and leisure, with the great Dockyard Model drawing visitors from around the country.
Dockyard church has stood at the heart of the local community for generations. This strong affection and sense of association has generated widespread local interest and support for our project, as shown by the success of our public engagement and outreach projects including open days, schools events and the on-going Reminiscence Project.’
We are grateful to everyone who has supported us, in particular National Lottery players, without whom this grant would not be possible, and our partnership funders, Historic England, Swale Borough Council, the Architectural Heritage Fund and the Pilgrim Trust.
This campaign started back in 2012 with the compulsory purchase of the Church by Swale Borough Council, and we would also like to acknowledge the crucial support at this early stage from the World Monuments Fund Britain and SAVE Britain’s Heritage.
We look forward to the next chapter in this great adventure.’
Quote from Tessa Hilder, Support Officer for the South East, The Architectural Heritage Fund:
‘Without the courageous efforts of SDPT, the future of this wonderful historic building would remain bleak. The impressive backing secured by the Trust for their innovative plans demonstrates the real difference that a community-led charitable organisation can have in turning round the fortunes of buildings that matter to people, locally and nationally. The Architectural Heritage Fund is delighted to be supporting the Trust.’
Quote from Emma Wiggins, Interim Director of Regeneration at Swale Borough Council:
‘We are delighted to have been able to support the Sheerness Dockyard Preservation Trust in both securing the building and helping provide match funding for their successful bid. This marks a significant step towards Sheerness and the Isle of Sheppey bringing their considerable heritage to the fore, helping to support the visitor economy and acting as a catalyst for regeneration.
The prospect of a unique space for small businesses also presents a great opportunity. We see the Dockyard Church as a significant heritage project within the Island’s wider heritage strategy.’
Quote from Tom Foxall, Historic England, Inspector of Historic Monuments & Places (Kent):
‘This announcement of a substantial grant from the National Lottery for major works to the Dockyard Church represents a significant moment in a long campaign to save this outstanding local landmark. We are delighted that the considerable efforts of the Sheerness Dockyard Preservation Trust, supported by the local community among many others, have been so justly rewarded. Historic England will continue its active involvement in this project, starting with a financial contribution to urgent repairs. We commend the overall objectives of the scheme and look forward to working with the project team on the details of a proposal that will finally see this building returned to its former glory and become a major asset to the community.’
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Visiting today shows how near we are to completion of the construction phase now. Keep up to date with our progress… https://t.co/ijwK6tnIcC
Archive
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Arts
- 16 Aug 2022 Dockyard Church to Open its Doors for Heritage Open Day 16 Aug 2022
- 28 Oct 2020 Discovered fragment foretells fate of burned Church 28 Oct 2020
- 28 Jun 2019 Island Schools Arts Festival Contribute To The Project 28 Jun 2019
- 5 Jul 2018 Participation From Local School Children 5 Jul 2018
- 2 May 2018 Local community interest with the projects draft plans 2 May 2018
- 17 Mar 2017 Tales from the Dockyard Church – reminiscence project 17 Mar 2017
- 6 Jan 2017 SDPT makes room for 'Room' 6 Jan 2017
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Community
- 30 Mar 2024 Trust are elated as the project receives a 2024 Civic Trust Award 30 Mar 2024
- 7 Oct 2023 Sheerness Dockyard Preservation Trust : Annual General Meeting 2023 7 Oct 2023
- 20 Aug 2023 Dockyard Church To Take Part In Heritage Open Days 2023 20 Aug 2023
- 18 Jul 2023 The IslandWorks Community Open Day is happening this Saturday 22nd July, 10am-3pm 18 Jul 2023
- 2 Jul 2023 Transformation complete as Dockyard Church becomes IslandWorks 2 Jul 2023
- 20 Jun 2023 Hundreds celebrate completion of Dockyard Church restoration project 20 Jun 2023
- 25 May 2023 Pupils create a time capsule for the church 25 May 2023
- 25 Nov 2022 Sheerness Dockyard Preservation Trust Annual General Meeting 2022 25 Nov 2022
- 16 Aug 2022 Dockyard Church to Open its Doors for Heritage Open Day 16 Aug 2022
- 11 Aug 2022 Roof and tower works complete at Dockyard Church thanks to crucial additional support from Historic England 11 Aug 2022
- 4 Aug 2022 Local History Society Visits Dockyard Church 4 Aug 2022
- 17 Apr 2022 Church Tower Rises From The Ashes 17 Apr 2022
- 23 Nov 2021 SDPT Annual General Meeting 2021 Report 23 Nov 2021
- 22 Oct 2021 Sheerness Dockyard Preservation Trust Annual General Meeting 2021 22 Oct 2021
- 30 Jul 2021 Special Hard Hat Tours for Heritage Open Day 30 Jul 2021
- 17 May 2021 Heritage Fund visit lifts spirits on a wet day at Dockyard Church 17 May 2021
- 26 Apr 2021 Rising from the Ashes – The Restoration of the Dockyard Church 26 Apr 2021
- 12 Feb 2021 Information-packed site hoardings provide a splash of colour at Dockyard Church 12 Feb 2021
- 10 Feb 2021 National Apprenticeship Week 10 Feb 2021
- 28 Dec 2020 Sheerness Dockyard Church Building Contractors donate to local food fund 28 Dec 2020
- 5 Sep 2020 Sheerness Dockyard Preservation Trust ~ AGM 2020 5 Sep 2020
- 27 Mar 2018 Public consultation and exhibition event 27 Mar 2018
- 2 Nov 2017 Students to help with Virtual Reality model 2 Nov 2017
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Events
- 16 Aug 2022 Dockyard Church to Open its Doors for Heritage Open Day 16 Aug 2022
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Heritage
- 16 Aug 2022 Dockyard Church to Open its Doors for Heritage Open Day 16 Aug 2022
- 28 Oct 2020 Discovered fragment foretells fate of burned Church 28 Oct 2020
- 28 May 2015 An Island rich in fascinating history 28 May 2015
- 21 May 2015 Built for the Dockyard workers 21 May 2015
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News
- 30 Mar 2024 Trust are elated as the project receives a 2024 Civic Trust Award 30 Mar 2024
- 7 Oct 2023 Sheerness Dockyard Preservation Trust : Annual General Meeting 2023 7 Oct 2023
- 20 Aug 2023 Dockyard Church To Take Part In Heritage Open Days 2023 20 Aug 2023
- 18 Jul 2023 The IslandWorks Community Open Day is happening this Saturday 22nd July, 10am-3pm 18 Jul 2023
- 2 Jul 2023 Transformation complete as Dockyard Church becomes IslandWorks 2 Jul 2023
- 20 Jun 2023 Hundreds celebrate completion of Dockyard Church restoration project 20 Jun 2023
- 25 May 2023 Pupils create a time capsule for the church 25 May 2023
- 25 Nov 2022 Sheerness Dockyard Preservation Trust Annual General Meeting 2022 25 Nov 2022
- 16 Aug 2022 Dockyard Church to Open its Doors for Heritage Open Day 16 Aug 2022
- 11 Aug 2022 Roof and tower works complete at Dockyard Church thanks to crucial additional support from Historic England 11 Aug 2022
- 4 Aug 2022 Local History Society Visits Dockyard Church 4 Aug 2022
- 17 Apr 2022 Church Tower Rises From The Ashes 17 Apr 2022
- 23 Nov 2021 SDPT Annual General Meeting 2021 Report 23 Nov 2021
- 22 Oct 2021 Sheerness Dockyard Preservation Trust Annual General Meeting 2021 22 Oct 2021
- 30 Jul 2021 Special Hard Hat Tours for Heritage Open Day 30 Jul 2021
- 17 May 2021 Heritage Fund visit lifts spirits on a wet day at Dockyard Church 17 May 2021
- 26 Apr 2021 Rising from the Ashes – The Restoration of the Dockyard Church 26 Apr 2021
- 9 Nov 2020 Work begins on Restoration of Kent’s ‘Fallen Giant’ - Dockyard Church at Sheerness 9 Nov 2020
- 7 Nov 2020 Dockyard Church receives lifeline from Government's Culture Recovery Fund 7 Nov 2020
- 5 Sep 2020 Sheerness Dockyard Preservation Trust ~ AGM 2020 5 Sep 2020
- 13 Apr 2020 Covid - 19 : Project Update 13 Apr 2020
- 30 May 2019 Future Secured For Neglected Treasure Of England's Naval Heritage 30 May 2019
- 29 Aug 2018 Planning Permission Approved 29 Aug 2018
- 5 Apr 2018 Duke Of Kent visits the project 5 Apr 2018
- 27 Mar 2018 Public consultation and exhibition event 27 Mar 2018
- 14 Mar 2018 Trust creates video to promote project 14 Mar 2018
- 8 Jun 2017 Job opportunity – freelance fundraiser 8 Jun 2017
- 9 May 2017 Delight as Trust achieves round 1 pass for Heritage Lottery funding 9 May 2017
- 22 Apr 2017 Job opportunity – project administrator 22 Apr 2017
- 6 Jan 2017 Milestone reached as £4.75M funding bid is submitted 6 Jan 2017
- 20 May 2015 Charitable status granted 20 May 2015
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Project Update
- 12 Feb 2021 Information-packed site hoardings provide a splash of colour at Dockyard Church 12 Feb 2021
- 10 Feb 2021 National Apprenticeship Week 10 Feb 2021
- 28 Dec 2020 Sheerness Dockyard Church Building Contractors donate to local food fund 28 Dec 2020
- 9 Nov 2020 Work begins on Restoration of Kent’s ‘Fallen Giant’ - Dockyard Church at Sheerness 9 Nov 2020
- 6 Nov 2019 Parapet Designs Proposed 6 Nov 2019
- 29 Aug 2018 Planning Permission Approved 29 Aug 2018
- 26 Jun 2018 Planning Application Now Submitted 26 Jun 2018
- 4 Jan 2018 Urgent Stabilisation Works begins on Dockyard Church 4 Jan 2018