A new chapter begins in Tamworth Castle’s conservation story

A new chapter in the conservation of Tamworth Castle has begun as phase two of the £1.9 million MEND restoration programme gets underway.

Tamworth Borough Council is continuing its work to protect and preserve Tamworth Castle, with this biggest conservation project in modern history of the castle and is helping to address some of the deeper issues affecting the historic building.

Supported by £1,716,238 from Arts Council England’s Museum Estate and Development Fund (MEND), and £190,695 from Tamworth Borough Council, the restoration is part of an ongoing commitment to care for the castle as its current custodians and make sure its 1,000-year legacy lives on.

Work has now moved into the South Wing, with the upper floors of this part of the castle temporarily closing to allow specialist conservation teams to carry out essential repairs.

Scaffolding is already up around the outside of the castle and will also appear in the courtyard, providing safe access for workers and materials as work progresses.

The work is being carefully phased to allow as much of the castle as possible to remain accessible while the complex and specialist conservation work takes place.

The temporary changing appearance of the castle will be one of the most visible signs of the work taking place. The scaffolding provides safe access for specialist teams to work on the castle’s historic fabric, carrying out essential repairs and conservation work that will help protect the building for the future.

Councillor Lewis Smith, portfolio holder for people services, engagement, leisure and heritage for Tamworth Borough Council, said: “Tamworth Castle has been cared for and adapted by generations of people over almost 1,000 years, and we are now playing our part in that continuing story.

“The work taking place behind the scaffolding is essential to protect the castle and make sure it can continue to be enjoyed for generations to come. It’s great to see phase two now getting underway.

“We look forward to sharing more of the conservation journey as the work progresses and giving people an insight into what happens behind the scaffolding.”

Residents and visitors are encouraged to continue following the restoration as work progresses, with updates and behind-the-scenes glimpses of the conservation work to be shared throughout the project.

For almost 1,000 years, Tamworth Castle has been shaped, repaired and cared for by generations of people. The MEND programme is the latest chapter in that story, helping to safeguard the building and its important collections for generations to come.

Find out more about the project and follow the conservation journey at http://www.tamworthcastle.co.uk/caring-castle