'At Risk' Upton Hall springs forward to become national centre to train future generations of horologists
The Heritage Lottery Fund has today announced significant monies to help fund the next generation of clock and watch makers in the UK and help save the decaying Upton Hall.
HLF has awarded the British Horological Institute, which is based in Upton Hall, a grant to create a National Centre for Horology.
The centre, due to open in 2018, will address a national shortage of horologists by creating new workshop facilities - currently in cramped and unsuitable conditions in the main hall - by renovating the old stables and the Foster and Pearson glass house.
This will allow the institute to double the number of students it trains each year.
The institute is a membership organisation for people who make, repair, collect and sell clocks and timepieces.
The news is being revealed to those members now (at 3pm)ahead of a public open day tomorrow offering a rare chance to view the institute's collection of clocks and timepieces which coincides with an end to British summertime.
Historic England has included the Grade 2* listed Upton Hall on the 2015 Heritage at Risk Register.
The Register says roof coverings are in fair condition but rainwater disposal is poor, with corresponding internal dampness.
Brickwork is decayed and numerous window frames are rotten.
The adjacent stables and courtyard structures are now in very poor condition with some sections partially collapsed and all at significant risk of loss.
While the stables and glass house re-development work will be done first with the restoration of the main hall - built by Thomas Wright, a member of the well-known Nottingham banking family in 1828 and a former High Sheriff of the Nottingham - will follow.
HLF has earmarked £2,852,600 for the project which includes a development grant of £160,300 which the institute will use to further its plans by producing a fully-costed proposal, apply for planning permission, and submit a second round application when the full grant will be released.
Speaking at the institute awards and new members' day today, chief executive Dudley Giles said on the eve of the end of British Summer Time: "This takes us one step closer to the establishment of a national centre for horology at Upton Hall.
"It is also one step closer to securing the future of Upton Hall itself, which is an important and historic building."
In future, the centre will be open to the public daily. To date, opening has been confined to a number of open days, in part due to the condition of the hall.
Visitors will be able to see students' work and visit exhibitions of key pieces from the institute's collection which includes the timepiece carried by Captain Scott on his ill-fated expedition to the Antarctic and the first two speaking clocks.
When the main Upton Hall is developed, access to the collection will increase significantly through volunteer support and extended opening hours.
The institute expects thousands of visitors annually, including hundreds of schoolchildren for whom special education areas will be set up.
There are currently more than 1,000 artefacts on display or stored in the institute's reserve collection which have been amassed since 1858 - an unrivalled collection in the UK only viewable three times a year at present.
Sir Peter Luff, chairman of the Heritage Lottery Fund, said: "From Big Ben and the Liver Building to the pocket watches and timepieces carried by great explorers, clocks and clock-making have a long and proud history in the UK.
"Even as demand for these traditional skills rises, the number of people trained has gone into steep decline.
"That is why we saw a pressing need for this National Lottery investment which will ensure timepieces are made, serviced, repaired and conserved in this country for many years to come."
Newark MP Robert Jenrick, who, prior to being elected was international managing director of the Decorative Arts Division of Christie's, said: "This is wonderful news for the industry and for the wider area around Newark as it follows the opening of the (£5.4m) National Civil War Centre in Newark, which was built with HLF support."
Emma McClarkin, an East Midlands MEP with a portfolio on international trade, said: "The creation of the National Centre for Horology sets the institute on course to address the horology skill shortage, making sure that our watch and clock-making expertise is passed on from generation to generation, just like our magnificent timepieces."
Focus Consultants - based two miles from the hall - led the creation of the long-term development masterplan.
Partner Kevin Osbon said: "Focus Consultants have worked closely with the institute to create a long-term sustainable solution for the Upton Hall estate and secure their future as one of the leading horological training establishments in the world."
Mr Osbon said the company were looking forward to delivering phase one and then the overall scheme.
Upton Hall was built in 1832 on the site of an Elizabethan manor house, parts of which still survive today. It was designed in the Greek Revival style by Thomas Wright to house his art collection. The grounds feature a listed Triumphal Archway as well as the glasshouse.
It has been with the institute since 1971.
The institute boats the Horological Journal - the oldest continuously published technical journal in the world.
First published in September 1858 it has appeared monthly ever since – without fail and that includes paper and print shortages in both world wars.
Members of the institute receive a copy of the the journal every month free of charge.
The At Risk Register provides an annual snapshot of historic sites known to be at risk from neglect, decay or inappropriate development.
It holds 402 entries on the East Midlands, making up 7.3% of the national total of 5,478 entries.