Westbury wins important £12,500 grant from the Government’s Culture Recovery Fund

Announced on 2nd April, Westbury is one of 3,800 organisations across the country who have been told they’ve won a share of the Government’s £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund to help the organisation recover and reopen.

 

This news is a massive boost to us, to our artists, and to the local community we support with workshops, events and exhibitions.

 

In particular the funding will help us in 3 important areas:

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1. Arts Activities 

 

Our aim is to widen the accessibility of Westbury to our communities, and using our site and the creative arts to support people. This has never been more important than it will be as we emerge from the pandemic with a much deeper appreciation of what must be done to support well-being and mental health.

 

We can plan and deliver an exciting programme that includes:

 

Online Spring Event – April

MK Open – July

Heritage Open Days – September

Autumn Fayre – November

An ambitious Education Outreach programme working with MAKE

The Solstice Project, working with the Westbury Fabric and Fibre Guild and their planned hybrid event later this year.

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2. The Grade II Listed building

 

​Westbury is based in an ancient farmhouse – there has been a building here since Anglo-Saxon times and some sections of the house pre-date the 1670 build date of the main manor building. This is a costly building to maintain, and our plan for the future has a particular focus on preserving and maintaining our historical site and creating a safe and welcoming space for all.

 

The building is of vital importance, of course. However, the gardens are also a key element and the ancient trees and protected species that also call Westbury home need managing carefully.

 

3. Develop a ‘Friends of Westbury’ scheme to broaden and develop our activities

 

Watch this space