Eileen Burns (Newark Tourist Information Centre) 8th August 2014
Standing outside the building site on Appletongate which is to become the new National Civil War Centre – Newark Museum, a group of us waited to be escorted round. We donned hard hats and high vis. jackets and, following an entertaining introduction and some serious health and safety advice by Michael Constantine the business manager, we entered the building.
The work is being carried out to transform the Grade ll Magnus buildings into a showcase for the history of Newark and a centre for the study of the British Civil Wars. This £5.4 million project has been made possible by a £3.5million grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund, Newark and Sherwood District Council and Nottinghamshire County Council. The Centre will be a major addition to the region’s cultural offer and will house exhibitions relating to Newark’s three sieges as well as its more ancient history.
Within the Tudor Hall which dates back to 1529 and survived the three sieges of Newark, we looked up to view the historic roof timbers which are to be restored as well as the three stack Tudor chimney. Looking around as we climbed the stairs to reach the upper floors in the Georgian part of the complex we could see that there is a huge amount of work still to be done. The important part when you get the builders in – as we all know – is that the basics are the crucial bit. What you don’t see forms the foundation for everything that follows and here attention is being paid to every detail to ensure that original features are preserved as much as possible throughout. Conservationists and builders are carrying out vital work like stopping dry rot and damp and will be constructing a new glass and steel entrance way with lifts to all floors of the building.
Mervyn Bollard of Woodhead Heritage, the site manager, was on hand to answer questions. He had previously worked on the conservation project carried out at Newark Castle and his company employs local people and teaches specialist heritage skills to apprentices and students.
I was disappointed that we were not able to see the graffiti from the 1600’s when part of the building was a dormitory for the boys being educated at the Magnus School. Workmen have uncovered famous names like Disney, Darwin and Newton etched in stone and wood. These were all local families who sent their sons to the school. I know this is going to be a very popular part of the exhibition but we will just have to wait to see that and the contents of the other galleries when this exciting new complex opens to the public in Spring 2015.
Have a look at the onsite videos and radio interviews on Youtube and follow progress on local and national media.
Visiting the National Civil War Centre, Newark
16 Saturday Aug 2014
Posted Tourism
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