JLA Consulting

April 2017

Spetchley Gardens Trust

Spetchley Gardens Charitable Trust received just over £1M of Heritage Lottery funding to implement a series of projects in the gardens which included the conversion of the former Cart Sheds to an Education and Interpretation Centre.

JLA was commissioned to develop the content of the Interpretation Centre and has used a range of media and display material to tell the 400 year history of Spetchley under the management of one family.

The displays include timelapse photography of the lake restoration, a multimedia table showing material from the archive and several films covering key influences in Spetchleys development as a managed landscape.

Hartlebury Castle, Worcestershire

The Hartlebury Castle Preservation Trust has been awarded £5M by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) to preserve the castle and 43 acres of parkland. They will continue a thousand years of public access to the former home of the Bishops of Worcester.

They will make the Castle, Hurd Library, Collections and Gardens into an integrated visitor destination that will benefit the local area and serve as a major attraction for visitors from around the UK.

JLA was commissioned to write the activity plan for the bid, consult with local educators and training providers and run several taster days to evaluate the response to the Trust’s vision for their partnership with Museums Worcester.

Spetchley Gardens Trust

Spetchley Gardens Charitable Trust has received the go ahead from the Heritage Lottery Fund for a £1.017M bid for the Spetchley Revival Project.

The works will include the development of a Heritage Centre and education room, the restoration of the garden pond, tree planting, improved access to the deer park, and the restoration of the 18th century Sovereign Coach, one of only 20 left in the country.

The funding will also support a programme of public events and activities aimed at encouraging local pride in the park and gardens. JLA coordinated the HLF bid and has been appointed to project manage the restoration scheme.

Highcliffe Castle

We are delighted to announce that Christchurch Borough Council has received the go ahead from the Heritage Lottery Fund for a £2.86M bid for The Phoenix Flies Project.

The project aims to repair and reopen a full wing of the castle which is currently derelict inside, and create a dynamic Heritage Centre for visitors to discover the fascinating story of this magnificent Grade 1 listed building.

JLA researched and prepared all of the project documentation including the Activity Plan and Business Plan for the Round 1 HLF bid and provided valuable support to the council team throughout the application process. JLA has been appointed to manage the Round 2 development phase.

The Glasshouse, Phase 3

JLA recently supported the Ruskin Mill Trust in their bid for a further £700,000 of funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund to create a new visitor reception and incubator units for glass related businesses at the Amblecote site.

Extensive research was undertaken to produce a revised activity plan for the bid together with schools and community consultation events.

Work is due to commence in Spring 2014 with a series of community archaeology projects prior to the main construction phase starting later in the year.

The Glasshouse, Ruskin Glass Centre

Following support from the Arts Council and Heritage Lottery Fund, JLA has transformed the former Royal Doulton and Webb Corbett Glassworks in Amblecote to create a new visitor centre.

Working closely with the Ruskin Mill Trust, the local community and former employees of the factory, they have used a range of media and interpretation techniques to tell the story of the rich heritage of lead crystal manufacture that has taken place on the site for over 300 years.

The opening of the centre has coincided with the International Festival of Glass that has been held at the site for the past 10 years.

Chedham's Yard

JLA was appointed as project manager to develop and oversee the BBC2 Restoration Village winner in Wellesbourne, Warwickshire.

JLA secured planning consent and wrote activity, business and interpretation plans securing £780,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund. The grant from HLF and the Restoration Trust has funded the restoration of the original Wheelwright and Blacksmith buildings. A new building has been erected to store artefacts and historic records and provide education space for visiting groups and members of the public.

The site opened to the public in Spring 2013. An events and activities programme has been developed with the support of a full time Education Officer and the Friends of Chedham's Yard.

Wrens Nest - Ripples through Time

The Heritage Lottery Fund has awarded a grant of nearly £800,000 to enhance Wren’s Nest National Nature Reserve. The project will provide viewing platforms to the Seven Sisters limestone mine which has been closed to the public for many years.

Works will stablilise the internationally important limestone mine entrances, provide an improved network of footpaths and waymarked trails. The project is working with local communities to help them take pride in their heritage and safeguard the area for future generations.

JLA is acting as project manager advising on new interpretation and educational material as well as developing opportunities for training and volunteering. Phase 1 interpretation works were installed in 2011 and further work is planned this year.

Harvington Hall Malt House

As part of an HLF funded project to renovate a Malt House located in the grounds of the hall a budget was allocated to interpret the building and its history. JLA assisted the Hall Trust in helping them to explore target audiences and develop appropriate forms of interpretative media.

These included a short introductory video, simple interactives, children's trails and the use of AV to bring alive the workings of the kiln including the heat and smell from the process of malting barley.

The project won the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors Building Conservation Award in 2010.

Llanymynech Limeworks

The project covered the restoration of several limekilns including the Hoffman kiln that is both a Listed Building and Scheduled Ancient Monument designated by English Heritage. The project also included works to the associated buildings covering the restoration and extension of the stables to provide an education centre and demonstration limekiln.

An activity plan, led by a dedicated project worker, built extensive community support for the project that developed volunteer projects and a community play. This helped celebrate the history of the area and offered opportunities for local schools to learn about their heritage and take an active role.