The HLF Development Stage

The Development Stage of Tamworth Castle’s HLF project was undertaken over a period of 2 years from July 2009. A first-round pass of £122,900 was awarded and meant that HLF considered that the proposals met their criteria for funding and believed that they had potential to deliver high-quality benefits and value for Lottery money.

The application was in competition with other supportable projects, so the first-round pass was an endorsement of outline proposals. The funding allowed us to develop our ideas and request further funding to make the changes we wished to.

This included ensuring any alterations to the ground floor would not have an adverse effect upon the future conservation or historical fabric of Tamworth Castle.

It also allowed Tamworth Castle to undertake an exciting programme of consultation. Visitors to the castle and people from the town completed questionnaires and provided us with feedback on many aspects of the castle. Overwhelmingly people told us they loved the living history re-enactments which Tamworth Castle is so well known for. As part of the final project a Medieval Household re-enactment will be developed for schools and visitors to the castle. Find out more about Tamworth Castle’s Living History presentations.

The development stage also gave Tamworth Castle the opportunity to visit groups in Tamworth and the surrounding area to discuss the changes we plan to make. The project ideas were well received and we gained very valuable feedback. Many of these groups also visited Tamworth Castle to see how the changes would impact the building and existing displays and period rooms and to experience living history.

Tamworth District Youth Forum were one such group. They undertook a photo safari and took pictures of their likes and dislikes in the castle. It was a lively and enjoyable evening and many local teens enjoyed the opportunity to experience the castle after hours.

A small excavation of the courtyard area of the castle was completed to ensure the proposed re-levelling of the courtyard would not destroy any archaeological features. Although the assessment did not dig up any lost treasure it confirmed the existence of 16th century bay windows which would have looked into the courtyard. To learn more about the courtyard excavation and its findings please click here (new document)