When English Heritage invested £330,000 for Mansion roof repairs last November, they invited further investment for Bletchley Park by pledging an additional £100,000 a year over the next three years, on condition that the funding was matched by outside partners. On Thursday, Milton Keynes Council will be formally announcing that, thanks to enormous support from the people of Milton Keynes, they will be matching the investment pledged by English Heritage. This means £600,000 will be made available for the essential backlog of maintenance and urgent repairs needed at the World War Two codebreaking centre.
Chief Executive of English Heritage, Dr Simon Thurley announced, “Bletchley Park is of enormous historical importance and played a vital role in the allies winning the Second World War. A large part of the activity that secured the freedom that Europe now enjoys took place here, and this is why English Heritage is so keen to help. When we announced our initial £300,000 grant last year for urgent roof repairs to the Grade II listed mansion, I laid down the gauntlet by pledging another £100,000 each year over three years if match funding could be found. I am delighted that Milton Keynes Council has pledged this money which will ensure urgent repairs can be made to the historic buildings on the site.”
Simon Greenish, Director of the Bletchley Park Trust welcomed the forthcoming announcement as, “Another huge step forward for Bletchley Park. Not only would we like to convey enormous gratitude to Milton Keynes Council and English Heritage for their collaboration and the clear demonstration of their belief in the Trust but, equally importantly, to the people of Milton Keynes for voting to support Bletchley Park in the Milton Keynes Council Budget Consultation. This vital endorsement takes us one step closer to achieving our aim of creating a world-class educational and heritage site reflecting Bletchley Park’s crucial contribution to the outcome of WW2 and the Twentieth Century.”
Cllr Vanessa McPake, the council Cabinet Member responsible for Heritage and Culture, added: “I am delighted that the residents of Milton Keynes agreed that we should support Bletchley Park. In this time of economic downturn more people are likely to be holidaying in the UK, so Bletchley Park has a real role to play in supporting the economy of Milton Keynes, as well as educating us all with their excellent exhibits and special events.”
