Funding for Cutty Sark restoration confirmed with work to be completed in time for 2012 and creation of ‘Royal Borough of Greenwich’

		By Nathan Saker in NEWS Published: Thursday, 04 February 10 - 12:00 PM (GMT) Last Updated: Friday, 21 May 10 - 10:51 AM (GMT)

PRESS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT FOR CULTURE MEDIA AND SPORT ON BEHALF OF THE CUTTY SARK TRUST, GREENWICH

4 February 2010

Funding for Cutty Sark restoration confirmed with work to be completed in time for 2012 and creation of ‘Royal Borough of Greenwich’

The historic clipper Cutty Sark will be restored to its former glory following news today that the final parts of the £46 million funding package are now in place. Conservation of Cutty Sark will be finally completed at Greenwich next year.

Final funding to finish the project in time for Olympic and Diamond Jubilee celebrations in 2012 has been provided by a £3 million grant from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. Cutty Sark’s mast and spars will again tower over the World Heritage Site, now to be celebrated as ‘The Royal Borough of Greenwich’.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown said:

“Everyone was shocked and saddened as we watched those terrible images of fire on the news. People wondered then whether Cutty Sark could ever be brought back to its former glory. Well, today’s announcement means that the historic clipper - that much-loved part of our maritime heritage since it was installed at Greenwich more than 50 years ago - will once again be open to the public – and in pristine condition – in time for the Olympics: yet another jewel for visitors in 2012 to enjoy.”

Culture Minister Margaret Hodge said:

“The £3m grant from my department is the final link in a chain that has included magnificent donations from the Heritage Lottery Fund, The London Borough of Greenwich, The Greater London Authority and thousands of private donors.

“Lord Sterling’s work in leading the campaign to raise funds has been really successful and it is thanks to all his efforts that we have reached this happy outcome. I am also grateful for all the work Councillor Chris Roberts has done at Greenwich to provide such significant support. I look forward to welcoming Cutty Sark back as an integral part of the Greenwich World Heritage Site when we play host to visitors from all over the world in two years time.”

Cllr. Chris Roberts, Leader of Greenwich Council said:

“In Greenwich we are tremendously proud of our heritage, of which Cutty Sark is an iconic symbol. After the fire it was clear that our sense of place was shared by people across the world. We are proud to play our part in restoring and conserving the ship for generations to come. I would also like to pay a personal tribute to the Late Chairman, Maurice de Rohan OAM, who was such an inspiration to everyone involved in this project.”

The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson said:

"Since entering her dry dock in Greenwich in the fifties, the Cutty Sark has been as synonymous with a proud maritime heritage as it has with the borough of Greenwich. I am thrilled that the reconstruction and restoration of the world's last surviving tea clipper is progressing with speed since the damaging fire in 2007, and proud that the Greater London Authority is playing its part in putting this wonderful landmark back on the map. Fundraising is never easy, especially during a recession, but Lord Sterling and his team have done an exceptional job and I join them in their passion, dedication and commitment to this worthy cause."

Interim chairman of the Cutty Sark Trust, Maldwin Drummond said:

“As custodians of the ship, my trustees and I are hugely moved by the enormous generosity displayed by so many to ensure that this ship is preserved for future generations. Undeniably, it has been a very difficult year for us, but particular thanks are due to the energetic efforts and persuasive skills of Lord Sterling and to Cllr Roberts, Leader of Greenwich Council, in closing the funding gap.”

ENDS.

Background Note

Cutty Sark has weathered many a storm and mishap in her long life – from losses of masts and rudders to murder and suicide. Sold to the Portuguese at the end of the 19^th century, she was first saved for the nation in 1922, by Captain Dowman of Falmouth. Then in the 1950’s she was rescued, largely through the efforts of His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh and Frank Carr the then director of the National Maritime Museum, and placed in a purpose-built dry dock at Greenwich.

She was undergoing major conservation works when Cutty Sark’s troubles returned with the disastrous fire in 2007. This could have been the final chapter if she had not been de-rigged and stripped as part of the works programme. Although the fire was a major set back and caused localised distortion, it also revealed major problems of corrosion of the lower frame. Therefore, a good deal of strengthening was required. However, ninety percent of the original ship remains, and will be once again able to inspire another generation.

Cutty Sark’s consultants suggested suspending the ship above the dry berth to even out the strains on the hull. The approved scheme not only allows the public to admire the ship’s lines for the first time, and appreciate the reasons for her success in carrying cargo under sail, it also frees up the dock below to be used for education, exhibition and entertainment purposes.

The plan for conserving the ship, showing her lines and using the space below appealed to many generous supporters who subscribed to match the great assistance and imaginative support of the Heritage Lottery Fund. This ‘iconic scheme’ received the enthusiastic backing of Greenwich Council, soon to be the ‘Royal Borough’, under their leader, Councillor Chris Roberts.

The London Borough of Greenwich has long realised that the setting of the ship in Cutty Sark Gardens was not only for Cutty Sark, but as a key arrival point and gathering place for people visiting the World Heritage Site which comprises a feast of historic buildings, including the old Royal Naval College, the National Maritime Museum and the Royal Observatory. The new vision for Greenwich includes improvements to Brunel’s Greenwich Foot Tunnel under the Thames, and to make the pier into a proper ferry port. In due course, there is to be a cruise terminal for ocean liners a little further down stream.

The conservation of Cutty Sark in this splendid new setting will not only allow Hercules Linton’s beautiful design of the ship to be in public view, but will also contribute new life to Greenwich itself. The public will once again be able to see and touch Cutty Sark, which has inspired so many seamen, past and present, when she is once again one of the jewels of the crown of the Royal Borough.

This has all been made possible by the Heritage Lottery Fund, enthusiastically supported by the London Borough of Greenwich and private donors. Additional funds have been pledged by the Greater London Authority and the DCMS, led by the Minister, Margaret Hodge, with the backing of the Prime Minister himself. This has enabled the £46 million project to be fully funded and to be a major attraction in time for the Olympic Games in 2012.

Richard Doughty

Chief Executive

04.02.2010

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