Dollis Hill House to be saved at last thanks to Heritage Lottery Fund cash
The important London landmark, Dollis Hill House in the London Borough of
Brent is finally set to look forward to a safer and brighter future. The
Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) has given the 'green light'* for a grant of
£1.2million to help save it from demolition and return the Regency manor to
the community.
Situated within Gladstone Park, Dollis Hill House is steeped in history. It
is a building of significant literary and political heritage, as Prime
Minister William Gladstone's former residence and Mark Twain's favoured
retreat in the 19th Century. Enjoying stunning and uninterrupted views of
London as far as St Pauls Cathedral and the new Wembley Stadium the mansion
was an important part of community life between the wars, and until 1974
used as a tea room and restaurant. Since then it has housed a catering
college. Sadly, it has lain empty and disused since closure in 1989, and
has even been the victim of several arson attacks in recent years.
The HLF funds will enable Training for Life, the award winning social
enterprise charity, to work closely with the Dollis Hill House Trust and
Brent Council to develop plans to save the building and return it to its
former glory. The Grade II listed house can now look forward to being
faithfully restored and extended, removed from the English Heritage 'at
risk' register, and returned to its former use as a tearoom and restaurant.
Wesley Kerr, Chair of the HLF Committee for London, said:
"Dollis Hill House is rich in historical associations and has for 180 years
been the focal point of one of London's most picturesque hillside parks.
There is now a clear strategy to save this damaged and neglected "at risk"
mansion and give it an impressive mix of educational, social and community
uses . At HLF we believe the house can once again be the heritage and
information hub of a fabulous public park, and a focal point for the
surrounding area.
The Regency villa, still largely intact, is surrounded by what the famous
American writer Mark Twain described as "noble trees" with panoramic vistas
over London. As one of the great Victorian Prime Minister William
Gladstone's favourite residences, it is arguably in a league with Chartwell
and Hughenden. The HLF Committee for London was pleased to give the
application a Stage 1 Pass and award funding towards development."
A programme of heritage activities will run within the restored house,
bringing to life the history of the house, park and local area. Heritage
activities will include a permanent exhibition and community oral history
project; heritage tea dances; annual History Study days, coinciding with
national and regional heritage initiatives such as the Big Draw; and a
series of lively historical lectures and debates.
Gordon d'Silva, Chief Executive for Training for Life, said:
"This is a wonderful example of how local authorities, lottery money
(Heritage Lottery Fund), corporate partners, Third Sector organisations and
local people can come together to make a real difference. Restoring this
wonderful building to its former glory is just one part of the story.
Thereafter using it to train people, create jobs and generate income as a
social enterprise is the best legacy one can provide".
Every year the house will also provide apprenticeships for 50 local
unemployed people in a range of hospitality and heritage roles, and
volunteering opportunities for 20 people. Based on Training for Life's
track record of transforming people's lives, a high proportion of these
training opportunities will lead to sustainable employment with the
charity's industry partners and beyond. In partnership with LB Brent, all
of the training and employment opportunities will reflect Brent's
regeneration priorities.
Gill Close, Chair of the Dollis Hill House Trust, said:
"After local people have worked for almost 20 years to save Dollis Hill
House, we are absolutely thrilled that our partnership with Training For
Life is finally going to bring the house back to being the vibrant heart of
Gladstone Park and the local community for all to enjoy."
Sarah Teather, MP for LB Brent, said:
"This development money is fantastic news for Dollis Hill and I welcome the
Heritage Lottery Fund's support for the project. I am delighted that
Training for Life has taken the mantle to save Dollis Hill House as it will
mean that the people of Brent and visitors to the area will be able to
enjoy this beautiful building once more as they have done in the past."
Commenting on the award Cllr Paul Lorber, Leader of Brent Council said:
"The council is delighted on behalf of Training for Life that their bid has
found favour with the Heritage Lottery Fund. This brings them a step closer
to restoring Dollis Hill House for local people."
The restoration of Dollis Hill House will see this area of London fully
regenerated following a recent £722,000 HLF grant for the restoration of
Gladstone Park in 2002. All profits generated through the tearoom,
restaurant and events facilities at Dollis Hill House will be ploughed back
into the project, securing the future of the building for the community
that has long campaigned to save it.
Further information:
For further information, interviews or photography requests please contact
Vicky Wilford, HLF press office, on; 020 7591 6046 / 07973 401937, email
vickyw@hlf.org.uk
Notes to Editors:
· *A 'Stage One Pass' means that money has been earmarked by HLF for the
project in question. Competition at this stage is tough, and while a Stage
One Pass does not guarantee funding, it is an indication of positive
support, and money for the scheme is set aside. The applicant can then
progress to Stage Two and submit a further, fully developed application to
secure the full grant. On occasion, at Stage One, funding will also be
awarded towards the development of the scheme.
· The Heritage Lottery Fund enables communities to celebrate, look after
and learn more about our diverse heritage. From our great museums and
historic buildings to local parks and countryside or recording and
celebrating traditions, customs and history, HLF grants open up our
nation's heritage for everyone to enjoy. We have awarded grants totalling
more than £4 billion to more than 26,000 projects, including over £840
million in London alone, with £3.153 million awarded to 57 projects in LB
Brent.
· Dollis Hill House is a Grade II listed regency villa originally built
in 1825 on top of a hill in what is now Gladstone Park.
· LB Brent is fully committed to the scheme, having granted a 125 year
lease to Training for Life if a viable plan is developed and progressed.
· Training for Life is an award winning charity and social enterprise
that seeks to transform communities. Since 1995, the charity has created
over 150 jobs as a business in itself and returned over 12,000 of the
hardest to reach individuals to either full time education or employment.
It bases its activities within 'Prospect Centre's'; formerly disused
buildings, restored through capital grants and returned to community
ownership that has a present book value in excess of £10 million. . The
organisation employs approximately 100 staff across its 6 Prospect Centres;
the Charity's turnover in 2007 was approximately £4 million.
· The Dollis Hill House Trust was set up by members of the local
community to
restore the house for the benefit of the community.
Vicky Wilford
Communications Account Manager
Heritage Lottery Fund
7 Holbein Place
London
SW1W 8NR
Direct Line: 0207 591 6046
Mobile: 07973 401937
www.hlf.org.uk
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National Heritage Memorial Fund & Heritage Lottery Fund
Martin Redston tel: 07778 819993
Brent Arts Council
Dollis Hill House Trust
The Stables Art Centre and Gallery,
Gladstone Park,
Dollis Hill Lane
NW2 6HT.
020 8452 8655.
Brent Arts Council. Art in the Community of the London Borough of Brent.
Brent Arts is a registered charity (Registered charity No. 1208005)
15 September 2007