Grant money gives us a lifeline, says museum boss

A museum boss has described government cash as a lifeline for a historic building which is now used as a museum and tourist information centre.

The Almonry in Evesham is set to receive more than £2m to pay for repairs and upgrades to the 600-year-old building.

It is one of almost 70 organisations across the country to receive funding via the government-backed cultural investment fund, external from Arts Council England.

Museum boss Ashleigh Jayes said she didn’t believe the news at first.

“When I got the email to say we’d got the money I thought it was spam,” she said.

“It wasn’t until the third time I read it through that I thought, oh, we’ve got the money!

“I got quite teary, starting shaking!”

She said she was unable to get hold of her manager to share the news, so she phoned her mum instead.

Ms Jayes said the museum would now be able to replace roofs, fix timber framing, replace plaster panels, install new heating and lighting as well as fixing drains and improving toilet facilities.

“It's a huge, huge project but the important thing is this is going to save the Almonry and that’s the key thing,” she said.

This building was historically home to the town’s almoner, a Benedictine monk whose job was to give money, food, or other material goods (known as ‘alms’) to the poor and needy.

He would also look after pilgrims who came to visit the town’s abbey and parish churches.

“It’s a really important and really beautiful building,” said Ms Jayes.

It is expected phase one of the project will begin in October and the museum’s collection will be removed to allow work to begin.

Further fundraising would be required for a second phase to take place at a later date, Ms Jayes said.

Darren Henley, chief executive of Arts Council England, said: "Museums make a huge contribution to the lives of people in towns and cities across England.

“This investment in the physical fabric of their buildings helps to make sure that our museums are able to carry on serving their communities for years to come.”

In 2016, Historic England put the Almonry on the heritage at risk register, external which highlights buildings that are at risk of being lost.

Ms Jayes said: “It’s an utterly beautiful building. It was part of Evesham Abbey, which at its height was one of the largest and richest in the country. It’s a really significant building.”

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