Future of historic priory secured after £235k fund

A charity, which manages an historic religious site, has been awarded £235,000 by the National Lottery Heritage Fund to help maintain it into the future.

Once on Historic England's list of 'at risk' buildings, The Llanthony Secunda Priory Trust said the money will "help secure a sustainable future" for the site in Gloucester, which features the remains of a 12th Century priory.

The money will be used to recruit a chief executive for the trust and "further site development".

Paul James, chair of trustees at the charity, said: "Thanks to National Lottery players we will be able to move forward with our aim of making the Trust sustainable for the long term."

A former Augustinian priory which was founded in 1136, Llanthony Secunda Priory reopened in 2018 following a £3.2m restoration project, also funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Since, the site has hosted a number of events, including guided tours, art exhibitions and weddings.

The latest funding, which will be awarded over three years, will also help train staff and volunteers, create a new website and ticketing system and improve marketing.

James said the money would help grow awareness of the Priory.

"Thousands and thousands of cars go past on the bypass each day and probably look at the Priory and don't know too much about it, so that's something that over time we want to put right," he said.

Thanking those who helped put the bid together, James said the trust was "thrilled" to receive the funding.

Describing the priory as a "remarkable heritage site", Stuart McLeod, director England – London & South at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said it was "committed to helping the heritage sector become adaptive and resilient for the future".

"Supporting projects like this plays an important role in achieving this," he added.

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