Selby Abbey has more than just it's 950 years to celebrate, with a recently secured grant of £45,000 from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Working in partnership with Selby District Council, this fund will go towards employing a part time Community Engagement Coordinator on a two year contract to work alongside the skills and understanding of the Abbey’s existing team and building on the activities surrounding the Abbey’s 950th Anniversary. The new role will also explore how best the Abbey can maximise its reach to existing, potential and new audiences, establishing a long term resilient heritage offer within Selby Abbey.
Commenting
on the National Lottery Heritage Fund grant, Canon John Weetman, Vicar of Selby
Abbey, said, “This grant will enable us to explore and test ideas for new ways
in which we can welcome and involve residents and businesses from the local
area and visitors from further afield to enjoy all that Selby Abbey has to
offer. The hope is that this will create a stronger and more stable legacy not
just for the Abbey but also for Selby Town and District as we look to the
future. We are delighted to be working
alongside Selby District Council in this project and to receive this generous
support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.”
Selby Abbey was founded in 1069 and is a
Grade 1 listed building. It is one of England’s great monastic churches built
in what is now the heart of Selby Town Centre. It is an integral part of
Selby’s rich heritage, a significant community asset and visitor destination as
well as a place of worship and pilgrimage for 950 years. The Abbey plays a
fundamental role in the life of Selby town and district.
Dave Caulfield, Director of Economic Regeneration & Place at Selby District Council added, “ We are delighted to secure this National Lottery Heritage Funding which will really help the Abbey to further strengthen its pivotal community role in the life of Selby Town and the wider district.”