£115,000 lottery lifeline for Priest’s House Museum

Wimborne’s Priest’s House Museum has received National Lottery grant support to help cope with the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on heritage.

It’s been granted £115,000 in emergency funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

The money will be used to support the organisation until it is in a position to re-open at the end of a major refurbishment project.

The pandemic has caused a four-month delay to the planned launch of the new museum after more than a year of closure.

The funding will help stabilise the museum and safeguard its future by covering some of the fixed and unplanned costs.

They include making the museum fit and safe for the new Covid-19 reality, including a reconfigured Tea Room, appropriate safety precautions, an on-line ticketed booking system and greater access to museum services for all via the internet.

The museum was to reopen in June.

But when the pandemic and lockdown began, all construction work ceased.

The trust had no option but to furlough all the staff apart from the Director for more than three months.

The delays have resulted in a significant loss of summer income at a peak time when many visitors would have visited the area.

David Morgan, Trust Chairman, said: “Thanks to the National Lottery and its players we can now look forward to the long-awaited reopening of the museum in October, confident that we have all the measures in place to ensure the safety and enjoyment of our visitors, our staff and our volunteers.

“We are grateful that the National Lottery Heritage Fund is supporting us at this crucial time.

“It’s a lifeline to us and others who are passionate about sustaining heritage for the benefit of all.”

The funding, made possible by National Lottery players, was awarded through the National Lottery Heritage Fund’s Heritage Emergency Fund.

A total of £50m was made available to provide emergency funding for those most in need across the heritage sector.

The UK-wide fund aimed to address both immediate emergency actions and help organisations to start thinking about recovery.

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New Partnership Manager for Bournemouth Rugby

Rupert Waters has taken up the post of Partnership Manager with Bournemouth Rugby.

He brings a wealth of experience in brand and partnership development with UK and international business.

Rupert, pictured left, will be working with existing and new partners, connecting all sections of our community.

Simon Carkeet, Acting Chairman, said “I have no doubt Rupert will be a great asset to the club, working with our valued partners.

“His background and passion for rugby will undoubtedly help us achieve the club’s vision, while respecting the club’s heritage and qualities”.

Rupert said: “I am very excited to be working with Bournemouth Rugby and engaging with our partners to deliver their goals.

“The club has a fantastic legacy connected to the health and wellbeing of the Bournemouth and surrounding community.

“I feel this is something that will be increasingly valued as we move forward out of lockdown to a new normal.”

Bournemouth Rugby operates four Senior Teams, Academy, Girls, U6-U16 Youth and Mini, Wheelchair, Performance and Social Touch Rugby.

There is also community team coaching in 13 local schools.

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Julia’s House receives £30,000 donation to help during lockdown

A charitable trust donated £30,000 to Julia’s House to help the charity’s nurses provide an enhanced level of care for vulnerable children with life-shortening conditions during lockdown.

Michelle Whicher, Louise Mckenna and Michelle Lewis celebrate Julia’s House receiving £30,000 from Talbot Village Trust.

In response to Covid-19, the children’s hospice needed to adapt its care system by safely delivering its services in the home.

A portion of the funding from the Talbot Village Trust was used to cover the costs of both standard and specialist PPE equipment, required to keep families and nurses safe.

More frequent home visits were also needed to avoid children’s contact with hospitals throughout lockdown, so additional travel expenses were also covered for around-the-clock care.

The charity’s team of nurses provided 165 expert care sessions throughout July, more than any other month in the past three years for Julia’s House.

Martin Edwards, Chief Executive, Julia’s House, pictured left, said: “We are extremely grateful to Talbot Village Trust for helping to fund this vital outreach care, which means so much for isolated families.

“With NHS services having to focus on hospital care during the pandemic, Julia’s House was in some cases, the only health service reaching out to vulnerable children at home.”

Russell Lucas-Rowe, Trustee, Talbot Village Trust, said: “Lockdown was an exceptionally difficult time for so many people, with many feeling isolated and alone.

“The staff at Julia’s House went above and beyond to ensure care was delivered to all those who needed it.

“At the Trust, we are exceptionally proud to have supported such a worthy cause.”

Talbot Village Trust’s Covid-19 Support Fund was launched in response to the need for funding to help organisations that were adversely affected by the pandemic.

Applications for the fund have now closed but the trust is now accepting grant applications for its usual fund, before the trustees meet in spring 2021.

Please go to www.talbotvillagetrust.org for more information.