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The Buxton Crescent Heritage Trust are delighted to announce they have received a National Lottery grant of £189,700. The funding will enable the charity to fulfil its ambitions to preserve the stunning Crescent buildings, develop the Pump Room and create an inspiring Visitor Experience due to open in 2019. As a new organisation with exciting plans for the future, the money raised by National Lottery players will enable the Trust to build its capacity to deliver and to raise the funds it needs to secure its success in the long term.

Awarded by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) through their Resilient Heritage programme, the grant will also support training and resources for the growing team of over 40 active volunteers and create a team of Heritage Ambassadors throughout the town. Working with Poole’s Cavern and Buxton Museum, a new joint education officer post will be created, helping to ensure the highest quality offer for young people and schools locally and regionally at our heritage attractions. Additional support for collaborative marketing with Buxton’s heritage organisations will also raise the profile of the Crescent, Buxton and the area regionally and nationally as the Crescent re-opens attracting new visitors and audiences. This strand of work complements and adds significantly to the Visitor Economy Strategy work also funded by the National Lottery through HLF.

James Berresford, Chair of the Buxton Crescent Heritage Trust said: “The Trust are incredibly grateful for this support which will both build the charity’s capacity to develop its plans and its future sustainability whilst working collaboratively to maximise the positive impact of the Crescent opening for our partners and the wider area.”Jonathan Platt, Head of HLF East Midlands, said: “Money raised by National Lottery players is already making a huge difference to Buxton Crescent. I’m delighted that we can continue our support with this well-planned project, which will help to strengthen the Trust’s capacity and expertise in time for the Crescent’s opening and for years to come.”

Over 100 guests including founding Friends of the Buxton Crescent Heritage Trust, supporters, funders and volunteers joined the Trust Patron the Duke of Devonshire and Chairman James Berresford at a reception and presentation in the Pump Room on 22 May.

The Duke thanked founding Friends and volunteers for their valuable support and acknowledged funding from the Bingham Trust which has enabled the Trust to deliver some key aims including volunteer training, development of the oral history project and the delivery of a programme of events over the past year attended by over 10,000 people.

Funding and support from The Heritage Lottery Fund, High Peak Borough Council and Derbyshire County Council was highlighted by James Berresford who also discussed plans for the innovative new Visitor Experience due to open in the Pump Room and Suite of Rooms in the Crescent in 2019.

“The event enabled the Trust to thank key supporters who are helping us to achieve our many aims including celebrating and preserving the history of the Crescent and Pump Room, it’s fascinating characters and towns rich spa heritage. Ongoing support, funding and interest is crucial during this exciting phase which includes plans being finalised for the Visitor Experience and the development of our education programme,” added James Berresford.

Professor Kathryn Mitchell, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Derby, also attended the event to announce a new partnership between the Buxton Crescent Heritage Trust and the University, which includes working together to enhance the new Visitor Experience leading to more opportunities for students and university staff.

“I am delighted to embark on this five year working partnership with the Buxton Crescent Heritage Trust, which will enable us to celebrate our shared heritage and have a positive impact on the profile of our campus, the town, and its tourist offering.

“This partnership also provides a fantastic opportunity for our students, as together with University staff, they will be focused on enhancing the visitor experience with digital innovations and researching content to develop the Crescent Characters room within the space. There will also be plenty of chances for them to gain valuable real-world work experience through student led events, placements and volunteering opportunities.”

Guests also enjoyed live music by Buxton’s Mad Hatters Young People’s Choir, harpist Alice Kerwin and violinist Helen Bloomfield. Local models brought the Pump Room’s past to life in original Victorian and Edwardian costumes provided by Hope House Costume Museum.

For further details on the aims and plans of the Trust, events in the Pump Room this summer, the Friends and Volunteer schemes please visit www.buxtoncrescenttrust.org.