Sussex Heritage Trust receives boost to funding for young people

The Ian M Foulerton Charitable Trust, The Hans and Märit Rausing Charitable Trust and Seaward Homes have all provided funding towards bursaries to cover the costs of historic building conservation courses.

The trust aims to support young people across Sussex aged 18 to 25, and those looking to retrain in traditional building skills.

Claire Clifton, a bursary recipient who attended a plasters and renders course at West Dean College, said: “Bursary schemes like this one are a lifeline to help develop and extend our craft, and in turn help to preserve intangible heritage.”

West Dean College and the Weald and Downland Living Museum have recently been able to open their doors again to adult learners, offering courses from oak timber framing to structural repair of historic buildings to conservation of historic concrete in their unique learning environments.

The bursary covers the full cost of any course and contributes to travel and accommodation cost.

Simon Knight, chairman of Sussex Heritage Trust, said: “Without the support of our sponsors and grants providers, many of these vital traditional building skills would be lost.

“We are therefore very grateful to The Ian Foulerton Charitable Trust, The Hans and Marit Rausing Charitable Trust and Seaward Homes for preserving and protecting our future heritage. “

For more information, visit www.sussexheritagetrust.org.uk or email [email protected]