Funding our dreams: News on the Trust’s Lottery Bid

The Crossness Engines Trust is entering an exciting new phase. With the triumph of restoring Prince Consort to steam now behind us, we are rising to a new challenge - to save the buildings and secure the site for future generations.

The truth is, the magnificent Grade 1 & 2 Listed buildings at Crossness are under threat. The historic fabric is decaying and English Heritage has us listed on its Buildings At Risk Register. Extensive conservation works are urgently needed.

We also need to improve the quality of the visitor experience and facilities at Crossness. We have some fascinating stories to tell and a tremendously rich resource for learning. We want to bring this alive with a new exhibition and an enhanced education programme.

But the skills and investment needed for all this are beyond the resources of the Trust and so we are preparing an application for major capital funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

What a successful bid will mean for Crossness

If we win our application to the Heritage Lottery Fund we will be able to pay for:

• Essential restoration and repairs to the Grade I listed buildings
• A major new exhibition appealing to a range of different audiences
• Better access for disabled visitors
• A substantial education and outreach programme
• New café, shop and toilets
• A potential arts resource for the local community
• Landscaping and better car-parking
• More extensive opening hours and more visitors
• A training scheme for volunteers and, possibly, apprentices

Making it happen

To support our bid, we have recently appointed architects, Benson + Forsyth, to design the new exhibition and visitor facilities and to oversee the conservation works.

Benson + Forsyth are a small but highly acclaimed firm of architects whose clients have included the Museum of Scotland, the National Gallery of Ireland and museums in Japan.

Benson + Forsyth’s proposals will form the focus of the bid which we aim to submit to the Heritage Lottery Fund in June this year.

The longer view

The Trust has set out an ambitious Vision for the site over the next 10 years. However, the cost of achieving everything set out in our Vision and restoring all the buildings at Crossness is well beyond the scope of this initial bid to the HLF (we aim to limit the project to £2.6 million). This project is necessarily, therefore, only the first phase of a much longer-term project.

However, massive investment is planned for the regeneration and transport infrastructure of this part of London. So, eventually, we see Crossness becoming an important heritage attraction for the Thames Gateway, providing a vital resource for its communities, enhancing the attractiveness of the area for inward investment and playing a major part in its emerging visitor economy.

But we need your help!

We’re sure you’d agree that Crossness deserves the backing of the Heritage Lottery Fund, but for our bid to be successful we need to demonstrate the support of as many individuals and organisations as possible.

So if you think Crossness should be awarded the £2 million lottery grant we’re asking for, please help by writing or e-mailing us your support.

You might like to tell us how much you’ve enjoyed visiting the site and seeing the engines in steam, or how important you think the site is for London and Londoners. What ever your reasons, your letter will help improve our chances of winning the funds we need to save this marvellous place for future generations.

So do write or e-mail us now!

Please mark your letters/e-mails clearly ‘Crossness Engines HLF Bid’ and send them to:

Mike Dunmow
Secretary
Crossness Engines Trust
Thames Water STW
Belvedere Road
Abbey Wood
London SE2 9AQ

Or e-mail: crossness@tiscali.co.uk