It’s all systems go for new history and heritage centre

The project - at the Sir Joseph Banks Centre in Bridge Street - was recently awarded a £10,000 ‘cultural recovery’ grant from the Government.

Now, the town council has awarded the History and Heritage Society £5,000 which will be used to help its move into the Bridge Street premises.

Apart from the natural history and heritage centres, the building will continue to house the town’s Tourist Information Centre, all under one roof.

Dr Ian Marshman, chairman of the HHS, said; “We think the revamped centre will be a real attraction to the town and offers everything we hoped to achieve at Watson’s Yard but much more prominently located in the town.

“It also brings the added bonus of the Sir Joseph Banks Society’s collections, volunteers and expertise, and there is no need to fund raise to purchase anew building.”

Dr Marshman confirmed the town council money would be spent on display cases for a collection of Horncastle documents and artefacts.

He added: “ The cases could include the artefacts found on the allotments which I believe the council wished to see displayed in Horncastle.

“Any cases purchased would be clearly labelled to say they had been funded by the town council.

“We would also use the grant to produce professionally printed displays and purchase shelving to safely store parts of our archive that are not on display but will continue to be available for the public to study once we can reopen.”