Lewes local history protected with restoration grant

Lewes Town Council has won a grant of £61,200 from the Heritage Lottery Fund for an exciting project called '˜Our Pictures'.
By The Newsroom
Published 3rd Oct 2016, 12:26 BST
Updated 7th Jun 2018, 22:57 BST

This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission on items purchased through this article, but that does not affect our editorial judgement.

Dr Mike Turner and Rupert Featherstone pictured in front of 'The Visit'Dr Mike Turner and Rupert Featherstone pictured in front of 'The Visit'
Dr Mike Turner and Rupert Featherstone pictured in front of 'The Visit'

Led by former Mayor, Dr Mike Turner, and with the support of several local groups and societies, the project will make the pictures in the town hall more accessible to everyone.

It will focus on the restoration and cleaning of three significant paintings: ‘The Visit of William IV’, ‘The Protestant Reformers’ and ‘The Battle of Lewes’.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

These have been chosen for restoration because of their poor state of repair and the fact they relate specifically to important historic events that have helped shape the cultural identity of Lewes.

Local art and history groups will be involved and a catalogue will be produced of all the significant works of art in the Town Hall.

Guides will be trained to show visitors the paintings and local people and students will be able to learn about the collection and art conservation through workshops and educational visits, while volunteers can get involved with research on the collection or the development of education packs and guided tours.

The very large Visit of William IV painting depicts Lewes citizens who attended the royal visit in October 1830 and, unusually, an index of their names was produced.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The project will attempt to trace connections to any descendants who may live in the area in the present day.

Conservation and repairs will be carried out by the Hamilton-Kerr Institute at Cambridge University and students will be invited to visit the Institute’s workshops to observe some of this work first-hand.

Mike Turner said “This is wonderful news for Lewes. The paintings are a significant part of our heritage and are in need of cleaning and restoration in order that they can be fully appreciated and conserved for the future. We are immensely grateful to the Heritage Lottery for their support in this process”

Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be amongst the first to know what’s going on.

1) Make our website your homepage at www.sussexexpress.co.uk/2) Like our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/pages/Sussex-Express/3) Follow us on Twitter @sussex_express4) Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here.

And do share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out!

The Sussex Express - always the first with your local news.

Be part of it.

Related topics:Town Hall