Bath Royal has been generously awarded £90,800 from The National Lottery Heritage Fund. This grant empowers us to undertake vital work toward the modernisation necessary to speed forward our mission of promoting knowledge and the exploration of science, literature, and the arts to Bath residents and now, thanks to some enthusiastic embracement of digital technology, the wider world.
Thanks to National Lottery players, the grant will help us be more resilient and better prepared for 21st century challenges through the application of digital resources and specialists who will help us deliver our centuries-old mission across the new digital platforms needed to keep in step with the future. This enhanced digital offering enables us to share news of our amazing collection spanning 4.2m years of history, treasured archives, lecture programmes, and YouTube channel with audiences no matter where they are sat in the world, or how old they are.
And not only will the grant benefit us, it should also benefit the numerous local groups and educational organisations who use our building for meetings, public forums and training. The grant delivers our Grade One listed building in Queen Square, the technological freshen-up it requires to transform itself into a cultural hub fit for the future. This modernisation requires the installation of new technology and connectivity in the meeting and exhibition rooms, and the provision of more flexible displays to encourage wider use of the building by the local community. The building possesses a rich history, and many will not be aware that the Institution, founded in 1824, had its building requisitioned by the Admiralty for war purposes in World War Two. It took quite some time to wrestle the premises back and subsequently BRLSI had to take another back seat for the Bath Reference Library, until at last in 1993 BRLSI was re-launched by committed volunteers with plans to carefully conserve the unique historical collection, still in storage, and provide a cultural hub for the people of Bath, offering lectures, workshops, and a place to meet the likeminded.
And if that was not forward looking enough, the National Lottery Heritage Fund endeavours to support BRLSI staff and volunteers by recognising that the world may have rapidly evolved but they can receive the training requisite to evolve with it. BRLSI will be recruiting external specialists to assist with all the tasks to be achieved under the terms of the grant.
Chris Garcia, BRLSI Director and head of Fundraising, said “We are delighted to receive this second grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund; this acknowledges that BRLSI is moving in a very positive and forward-moving direction will provide us with tools to be a vibrant 21st century Institution. Our Vision is to be a world class cultural hub, promoting Science, Literature and the Arts and inspiring people to learn about Bath and the world beyond.”
About the National Lottery Heritage Fund
Using money raised by the National Lottery, we Inspire, lead and resource the UK’s heritage to create positive and lasting change for people and communities, now and in the future. www.heritagefund.org.uk.
