National Lottery Heritage Fund to support Willmer House conservation project
Summary
Waverley Borough Council is delighted to confirm that its Willmer House conservation and repair works project is being supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund. It is being given \xa3230,310 to assist in the delivery of the \xa31.2 million pound programme of essential conservation and repair works to the principal fa\xe7ade of the historic building.The funding is in addition to the \xa3734,335 Museum Estate and Development grant, which has been secured through Arts Council England.The works will address urgent external building repairs on the principal fa\xe7ade, and provide a long-term sustainable conservation that requires minimal intervention in future years, using traditional materials and techniques which closely match the original building fabric.These will include rebuilding the parapet wall, replacing the existing brick cornice, rebuilding the second-floor window brick arches, repairing and decorating the original timber sash windows and main entrance doorway as well as restoring Portland stone windowsills and doorstep and a clean of the entire fa\xe7ade, amongst others.Work is expected to start in the late summer although much of the brickwork will initially happen off site and is expected to finish by the end of next year. The museum will remain open to the public throughout the construction period.Councillor Kika Mirylees, Waverley Borough Councils Portfolio Holder for Community Services, Leisure and EDI, said: We are delighted to receive this further funding for what is such an important historical building in Farnham. The funding will allow much needed essential repairs to take place but also ensure the long-term conservation of this wonderful building and we are extremely grateful to the Heritage Fund for assisting us in this important project.Waverley Borough Council will also be working in partnership with Farnham Maltings to connect with and involve the community throughout the restoration period with a year-long programme of community engagement activities delivered by the Museum team and the specialist conservators. Furthermore, our funding will ensure activities and workshops for local communities and schools can be implemented so that as many people as possible can discover and experience the history and contemporary relevance of the museum.