National museum for Newark?

Plans to take forward a project to turn the Old Magnus Buildings, Newark, into a national museum to the English Civil War have been given the green light.

The Heritage Lottery Fund announced today that development funding of £203,700 has been awarded to Newark and Sherwood District Council to help progress their plans.

The first-round pass means that the district council can now progress to the second stage of the lottery's application process.

The council has up to two years to submit more detailed plans and apply for the £2.8m of HLF support it is seeking for their £4.43m project.

The project will see the restoration of the Old Magnus Buildings and bring them back into public use as a new museum, incorporating a new English Civil War Gallery and a range of permanent and temporary exhibition space.

The site comprises a number of buildings including the magnificent Tudor Hall, a Georgian town house, a Victorian schoolroom and outbuildings with the oldest parts dating to 1529.

The project will see the site re-open as a new Newark Museum housing a range of permanent and temporary exhibition spaces and become a national centre for learning about the English Civil War.

Exhibitions will be complemented by visitor facilities, interpretation and education spaces. The exhibitions will tell the story of the town and surrounding area within a local, regional, national and international context and in particular will feature a new English Civil War galleries and highlights from the district’s archaeological and other collections, including the Newark Torc.

Mr Roger Jackson, the council’s cabinet member for leisure and culture, said: “We are delighted that the Heritage Lottery Fund has given its initial support for our project.

"This rare and complex set of buildings is a vital part of our heritage and we are delighted that our plans to develop it as a new museum to tell the history of the area and of the English Civil War have received this support.”

Des Gallagher, casework manager at Heritage Lottery Fund East Midlands, said: “The Old Magnus Buildings are part of Newark’s unique character and tell us much about the town’s history over the last 500 years.

"The Heritage Lottery Fund is pleased to be giving its initial support to this redevelopment project which would provide a new home for the District Museums Service and an important national centre for the English Civil War.

"It’s obviously early days but we look forward to seeing plans progressed by the Newark and Sherwood District Council over the next year."

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