Hastings Castle project gets massive boost from the Government

Heritage Minister Baroness Twycross announced the recipients of the funds following a visit to Hastings Castle organised by Hastings and Rye MP Helena Dollimore.

The Heritage at Risk Capital Fund is designed to protect buildings at the heart of communities, reinvigorating local pride and ensuring people can continue to visit and benefit from their local heritage buildings long into the future.

The funding lands in a landmark year for Hastings’ Norman heritage. The Bayeux Tapestry returns to Britain for the first time in a thousand years, and 2027’s ‘Year of the Normans’ will mark 1,000 years since the birth of William the Conqueror with events and exhibitions across 1066 Country and Normandy.

Helena Dollimore said: “In Hastings we are so proud of our iconic heritage, and I have been pushing hard to make sure it is protected for generations to come.

"That’s why I’m pleased that we have secured Government funding to maintain and restore Hastings Castle, a site of huge significance to our town and the whole country.

"This comes after I successfully campaigned for Hastings to rejoin the 1066 Country tourism board, which will give a huge boost to tourism in our area. I have also been pushing to improve transport links to our area so that more tourists can discover 1066 Country during this time we are enjoying in the national spotlight.

"Securing a faster train service for our town has been one of my top priorities as our local MP, and I am so pleased that a new fast service from Hastings to London will be launching in December.

"We have many more historic buildings around town that deserve to be restored, and the extra £21.5 million I’ve secured for Hastings from the Labour Government gives us a huge opportunity to do it. Let me know how you want to spend this Pride in Place money for our town, by filling out the form on my website by going to www.helenadollimore.com/hastings-plan-for-neighbourhoods