Exciting National Lottery Funding plans for Dean Heritage Centre
Dean Heritage Centre Gains Support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund for Redevelopment Plans
The Dean Heritage Centre has been awarded £164,000 by The National Lottery Heritage Fund for its "Investing in the Past, Present and Future" project. Announced today, this funding, made possible thanks to National Lottery players, will help transform the museum, visitor facilities, and surrounding landscape to engage broader audiences, preserve the Forest of Dean's heritage, and ensure the Centre's long-term sustainability.
The Dean Heritage Centre’s collection is the only one dedicated to telling the story of the Forest of Dean. Without this support, this valuable heritage could have been lost forever.
Project Objectives
To ensure a realistic vision for the future, the project will include:
- Business Options Appraisal: To maximise current revenue and explore new income opportunities.
- Audience Development: To identify and consult with new audiences and the local community, trialling learning and citizen science activities on-site.
- Collections Review: To assess the significance of the Centre’s collections and develop new display ideas.
- Topographical and Biodiversity Surveys: To determine the best ways to enhance outdoor spaces.
- Hydrogeological Survey: To analyse ground conditions and water flow at the site.
Volunteers, local groups, and schools will be involved in learning and citizen science activities while contributing their ideas to the Centre's future plans.
In the long term, the project will lay the groundwork for a major redevelopment initiative at the Dean Heritage Centre.
Community Involvement
The Centre will actively seek volunteers and input from the local community throughout the project. Stay updated on opportunities by following @DeanHeritageCentre on Facebook or signing up for the newsletter via the Dean Heritage Centre website.
Quotes
Mark George, Centre Manager at the Dean Heritage Centre, said:
"We are very excited to have received this support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Thanks to National Lottery players, we can now develop our plans to transform the museum, engage a wider range of people, preserve the Forest’s heritage, and ensure sustainability well into the future."
About the Dean Heritage Centre
Located in the historic Forest of Dean, the Dean Heritage Centre offers:
- An indoor museum detailing the Forest's geology, archaeology, medieval history, mining heritage, and local culture.
- The Dennis Potter collection, including manuscripts and a reconstructed childhood living room.
- A Victorian schoolroom with interactive lessons.
- A traditional Forester’s cottage and garden.
- Five acres of woodland trails and outdoor exhibits, including the Gruffalo Trail with carved wooden characters.
- A playground and a working mill waterwheel showcasing eco-electricity generation.
- Seasonal highlights such as a three-day traditional charcoal burn and chainsaw carving demonstrations.
- A coffee shop and gift shop supporting local artisans.
The building, dating back 400 years, has served various purposes, starting as an iron forge. Since 1983, it has housed a collection of over 20,000 items showcasing the Forest’s cultural history. The Centre also hosts interactive school programmes and family-friendly workshops aligned with the National Curriculum.
Follow @DeanHeritageCentre on Facebook.
Explore Gloucestershire
22 January 2025
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