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The Lowestoft Civic Society has been awarded a grant to provide Heritage Skills Training in a unique "hands-on" project. The project is to restore a 17thcentury plaster Ceiling rescued from a grade II listed farmhouse in Stoven, Suffolk prior to its demolition in 1978.

The Heritage Lottery Fund has promised £49,900 for the project, recognising the historical importance of this fine piece of local craftsmanship and the contribution that the restoration process will make to keeping heritage skills alive in East Anglia. The grant means the project has an amber light after a wait of 30 years but further funding is required for the lights to go green.

The 'Ceiling Fit for a King' is important not only for the fact that 350 year old plaster ceilings are rare in their own right, but it is also related to a ceiling in Sutherland House, Southwold. Location of the headquarters of the Duke of York (later James II) as he commanded the Anglo-French fleet against the Dutch at the famous battle of Sole Bay in 1672. It is said the fine ceiling was installed to commemorate this.

The Stoven Ceiling is currently in 12 door sized pieces, untouched since it was removed from its farmhouse location and is now held in trust for the public at the Lowestoft Heritage Workshop Centre, following almost 3 decades stored in a garage. The conservation work will include the supervision and training of two students in the specialist heritage skills required to restore the Ceiling panels. Simon Swann and his team of conservators at Swann Associates will lead the restoration team and provide the training. Lowestoft College staff and students will assist in designing and constructing a frame to secure the restored Ceiling in its final location. A team of local volunteers will record and document the restoration process.

The Ceiling's interesting pedigree and the research and restoration aspects of the project have already inspired and attracted interest from local schools. A series of activities for schools is being planned, including visits to view the restoration process while it is taking place. Sessions will also be open to the public.

Commenting on the project award from the Heritage Lottery Fund, Lowestoft Civic Society Chairman John Stannard said "Many thanks to the HLF for giving us the opportunity to take this project forward at last. It will enable the people of Suffolk to contribute directly to the conservation of a fantastic piece of their local heritage and to get hands-on experience of the restoration of this ceiling to its former glory. This is unique. There will never be another time or chance to see this taking place".

Once completed, the Ceiling will be kept on permanent public display at The Heritage Workshop Centre,

80a High Street, Lowestoft, a fitting place for the Ceiling's installation as this has been a place of learning since 1788 (Wildes School).

The total value of the project is in the region of £80,000 and even with the grant award already secured from The Heritage Lottery Fund the project has still to secure further funding before the restoration can begin. The Project team is now in the process of securing the remaining funding from heritage groups, local businesses and interested parties and the project is programmed to "start" on site in the New Year - to be completed by July 2012.

The project already has schools and groups that are going to assist and more visitors will be always welcomed. You don't have to get your hands dirty, but do come and observe the conservation in action. Go to www.lowestoftheritage.org to arrange a visit

Should you wish to make a contribution (large or small) to the fund and for further information please contact;

Stefan Ganther, Project Manager, 01692 582632,

Stoven Ceiling Press Release