Local MP, Caroline Dinenage, today welcomed Duncan Wilson, Chief Executive of Historic England to Gosport on the day that Historic England have published the Heritage at Risk Register for 2021.
The Register provides an annual snapshot of the critical health of England’s most valued historic places, and those most at risk of being lost. In spite of all the challenges of the last year, local communities, owners, charities and local councils across England have pulled together and saved 233 historic buildings and sites that they care about.
Heritage can be a powerful, positive influence in people’s lives helping them understand where they come from and giving them pride in where they live and work and today’s visit was a great opportunity to showcase how Gosport are bringing heritage back into use!
The visit started at Blockhouse where Hornet Sailing Club are undertaking work on the former Police Barracks. Earlier this year, they were awarded a grant from Historic England to kick-start essential repairs which will bring the site back into commercial use.
Then on to Gosport Borough Council owned Bastion No 1 where Historic England funding has cleared vegetation and repaired brickwork. Friends of Bastion 1 want to continue to enhance the area and bring it more into public use!
Finally, a well deserved drink at the Powder Monkey Brewery who, with the help of Historic England and the National Lottery Heritage Fund, have bought the E Magazine back to life with their microbrewery and bar, creating jobs and boosting the local economy.
Commenting Caroline said:
“It was great to welcome Duncan to Gosport to see the progress n our Heritage sites thanks to funding from Historic England.
Our area has such a fantastic and rich naval history, but investment is needed to ensure that we can preserve this heritage in a way that benefits our local community and to ensure it will be enjoyed by future generations.”
