The Chatham Historic Dockyard has allocated a sum of £4.8 million funding from the National Lottery towards the redevelopment of the Fitted Rigged House. Dating back from 1793, the Fitted Rigging House covers 9,000 square metres and is a Grade I listed building. Currently under-used, proposals will enable it to be put back into active use through the conversion of the facility into a new rental space and volunteer centre. Picture Credit: Kent History Forum The funding was announced by Chatham MP and Sport, Tourism and Heritage Minister Tracey Crouch, as well as Strood MP Kelly Tolhurst at the former naval base on January 19. Speaking to Heritage Lottery Fund, Tracey Crouch said: “This funding will not only help preserve our wonderful maritime heritage at Chatham, but allow the Dockyard to be fit for purpose and serve the community in the future.” The redevelopment of the building will have a strong focus on volunteering and skill training, improving existing facilities and training for volunteers on-site. It will also embrace the Library and Archive with better visitor access to the 'nationally important collection'. Picture Credit: UK Department for Culture, Media and Sport Stuart McLeod, Head of HLF South East, commented: "The Fitted Rigging House is a key part of Chatham’s heritage - not flashy but solid and reliable. It has played a vital role at the site for over 200 years but currently its potential is not being fully capitalised on due to its sheer size and complexity. We particularly like their ideas for creating a volunteers’ centre and providing opportunities for people to learn key heritage building skills.”
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