The Chamberlain Highbury Trust awarded £24,000 to assist with project development costs.
The Chamberlain Highbury Trust is delighted to have been awarded a grant from the Pilgrim Trust of £24,000 to support the development costs associated with its planned Round 2 application to the National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF) for Highbury and its gardens.
This Pilgrim Trust grant will contribute towards the conservation and management and maintenance plans for the mansion and grounds. It will also assist with specialist surveys required including: a measured survey of the mansion, a topographical survey of the grounds, a hydrology survey for the grounds and an archaeological assessment as part of obtaining Scheduled Monument Consent.
The Chamberlain Highbury Trust’s vision presents a whole range of opportunities to deliver environmentally sustainable heritage. Its Youth Board has a strong interest in the environment and by enabling leadership on these issues they will develop a long-term strategy.
For the mansion restoration, the focus will be on building sustainably and energy innovation.
In the grounds the aim is to increase biodiversity and deliver a second phase of capital works including pond restoration, wetlands protection and further access improvements.
The Chamberlain Highbury Trust’s Chair, David Kidney, thanks the Pilgrim Trust for its grant:
“We are all very grateful to the Pilgrim Trust for giving us this grant, which will enable us to take several key steps towards the major restoration project we are planning for Highbury.
“By 2026, this historic place will have been restored as a centre for incubator businesses, cultural events and neighbourhood activities to drive inclusive growth with economic, social and environmental benefits. By developing the leadership skills of Birmingham’s diverse young people within Highbury, the Chamberlain Highbury Trust will act as catalyst for radical thinking and approaches, distinctive of Birmingham, fostering collaboration between micro businesses, social enterprises and the heritage and creative industries. Located between the creative communities of Kings Heath, Moseley and Stirchley, Highbury will be a centre for neighbourhood dynamism, part of a wider local and regional ecosystem.
“Through partnerships with over 50 organisations, Highbury will support skills development and quality of life, wellbeing and place making, the key determinants of economic renewal of neighbourhoods in a post pandemic Birmingham.”