Historic England has awarded funding to 37 projects from across England, including Newlyn Old Harbour in Cornwall, the home of NHS-UK's Flagship of the Year, Barnabas. The Heritage at Risk Capital Fund is a special 1-year, £15 million fund to give grants to heritage at risk, helping people to save the historic sites in England that are most important to them.
The Cornish Maritime Trust, owners and operators of Barnabas, posted on Facebook:
"Here's a 'Proper Job' shout out to the visionaries - especially Nick Howell - leading the restoration, those writing the bids and all our own Cornish Maritime Trust volunteers who've got their hands dirty supporting the work thus far. 144 year old Barnabas will soon have an even more beautiful and authentic 'home', giving us a living experience of how things would have looked and felt all those years ago. Truly a chance to step back in time right in the heart of Newlyn!"
Newlyn’s Old Harbour is Grade II* listed and receives an award of £119,301. Once the heart of Newlyn’s fishing industry, the700-year-old medieval harbour fell into disrepair when the fishing industry moved to an enlarged harbour in 1900. This historic granite structure then became a graveyard for unused fishing vessels, resting against the deteriorating stonework.
Newlyn Harbour’s restoration project aims to conserve the historic structure of the Old Harbour and the unique remnants of coal tar and pitch from fishermen’s working practices, using historic photographs from the 1890s to the 1920s for the restoration. Local specialists and engineers will be employed to restore the granite structures and the remaining 19th century wrought iron railings around the quay. More than a dozen working berths will welcome historic fishing vessels once again.
In making the Old Harbour available for community use, this transformation will create a vibrant venue for artistic and maritime events, restoring local pride and enjoyment through celebrating Newlyn’s rich seafaring heritage.
Source: Cornish Maritime Trust on Facebook, Historic England
Photo: Esme Page
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