Delight over £72,814 grant to renovate museum

By HELEN RUTHERFORD

HISTORICAL DIVING SOCIETY GETS £72,814 NATIONAL LOTTERY HERITAGE FUND AWARD TO REDEVELOP FORMER BATTERY

THE Historical Diving Society has received initial support* from The National Lottery Heritage Fund for the redevelopment of the Diving Museum at Stokes Bay, Gosport, Hampshire, it was announced on Thursday, October 6.

Made possible by National Lottery players, the project aims to work collaboratively with the local community to create an accessible and engaging exhibition and learning programme and also. carry out essential planning for the conservation and management of the building and the operation of the museum.

Development funding of £72,814 has been awarded by the Heritage Fund to help the Historical Diving Society progress its plans to apply for a full National Lottery grant at a later date.

Since 2011, the museum has been housed in the Grade II* No2 Battery, a unique locally historically significant building located on Stokes Bay, Gosport.

Built in 1861 as part of Lord Palmerton’s defences for Portsmouth Harbour it is the only one of the five original gun batteries accessible to the public.

In the 1930s, the MoD handed the building to Gosport Borough Council as a Civil Defence establishment, using it for a nuclear bunker during the Cold War.

Kevin Casey, Museum Director and Vice Chair of the Historical Diving Society, said: “We’re delighted that we’ve received this support.

“This project is a huge step forward for the museum, it will enable us to apply for Round 2 funding which will support our plans to make the story of diving accessible and enjoyable for everyone. We would like to express our thanks to National Lottery players for making this possible.”

PICTURED: The Diving Museum entrance at Stokes Bay, Gosport