Bristol Old Vic secures HLF funding

The UK’s oldest running theatre Bristol Old Vic and the Archway Centre project in Bath are among projects benefiting from more than £48m from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF).A sum of £2.3m has been secured by the Bristol Old Vic as it celebrates its 250th year.Major restoration of Coopers’ Hall will uncover its original façade, reinstate other Georgian features and reveal the evolution of the theatre since 1766.The project is designed to conserve a wealth of theatrical heritage held in archives at University of Bristol Theatre Collection and Bristol Record Office, making them available online.In addition, for the first time, the public will have access to the historic roof space which will once again be brought to life by the famous Thunder Run, an 18th-century surround system featuring weighted balls in wooden gutters which produces sounds and vibrations to mimic thunder during performances.The projects aim to boost local economies and tourism, creating nearly 200 jobs and provide thousands of training and volunteering opportunities.In addition, £3.4m has been set aside for the Archway Centre project in Bath which will create a Learning Centre at the Roman Baths. It will be linked to the Roman Baths via an underground tunnel.The project hopes to open up areas of Roman remains that have never before been open for regular public access, including a rare laconicum (sauna) and an exercise courtyard.Other grants announced include: £2.5m for the Canal & River Trust to restore the Montgomery Canal, £10.9m for Beamish Museum, £4.6m for the Royal Air Force Museum’s programme, £7.6m to create the Medicine Galleries at the Science Museum, £3.6m for the Royal College of Music and £12.8m for Canterbury Cathedral.