04 Oct John Whittingdale MP visits newly saved heritage sites in Maldon
Last week, local MP John Whittingdale visited Creeksea Place and Thomas Plume’s Library to see how Historic England funded heritage skills have saved important historic sites in Maldon.
John was joined by Maldon District and Essex County Councillor Jane Fleming, alongside Historic England’s Chief Executive Duncan Wilson and Heritage at Risk Surveyor Trudi Hughes to tour the buildings and speak with owners and experts whose talent and skill saved these historic properties.
At Creeksea Place, Mr Whittingdale met owners Jon-Paul Bertorelli Lindsey and Gerald Lindsey with Events Director Claire Ashwell alongside Edward Morton, Conservation Accredited Engineer, who oversaw the restoration project.
Mr Whittingdale heard how funding from Historic England had helped to save this impressive Grade II* listed Elizabethan manor house.
A lifeline was given to the venue’s commercial and community events programme through a Culture Recovery Fund grant awarded by Historic England. The impact of Covid-19 on the events industry, together with Creeksea’s ongoing building restoration project, had significantly affected revenue for the repair and upkeep of the historic house.
One of the oldest public libraries in England, Thomas Plume’s Library has recently reopened following urgent repair work. On a tour of this remarkable 17th century building, Mr Whittingdale heard how the Thomas Plume Library Trust and Maldon Town Council had jointly raised £102,000 towards its restoration. Historic England grant funded almost £70,000 towards repairs, giving technical advice and support throughout the project.
John Whittingdale MP said: “I was delighted to visit both Creeksea Place and Thomas Plume’s Library in Maldon to see the result of the restoration work in each that has been funded by Historic England. We are incredibly fortunate to have magnificent historic buildings like these in the Maldon District and it is vital that they are properly preserved. This work funded by the Government has helped to keep specialist local businesses going through the pandemic while saving these heritage assets for the future enjoyment of both our local community and visitors to the District”.
