Delighted members of Kenley Airfield Friends Group by the Kenley Tribute, from left: KAFG Chairman, Alan Morgan, Carole Streeter, Andy Spencer Jones, Scott Lester, Lesley West and Mike Rodwell. Photo by James Highsted.
| Kenley Airfield celebrates National Lottery Grant |
- Published: Tuesday, 03 November 2015 20:59
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Kenley Airfield celebrates National Lottery Grantby James Highsted Kenley Airfield Friends Group (‘KAFG’) has been on Cloud Nine after being awarded £881,000 by the National Lottery via the Heritage Lottery Fund.
The Kenley Revival Project, started in 2012, comprising KAFG, City of London and Historic England, was awarded the grant to preserve the airfield.
The Project plans to recruit 40-50 volunteers to help with the work which, with additional donations from the respective groups, will bring the total value of the Project to £1.1million. The grant will also be used to create a virtual on-line museum, mobile exhibition and new information boards, with the work being carried out over the next three years.
The Kenley Revival Project will look to involve members of the community as much as possible and there are also plans to establish a learning programme for schools.
Work has already begun on recruiting a Project Manager and a Learning and Volunteer Officer, with minor construction work to the site planned for spring 2016.
Kenley Airfield remains the most preserved airfield used during the Battle of Britain in 1940.
KAFG Chairman, Alan Morgan, said: “We really are thrilled. It is the culmination of three years’ very hard work. It is tremendous for Kenley and we wanted to make sure that the airfield was preserved to remember everybody who served there during the Battle of Britain, which was a crucial battle in this country’s history.”
Stuart Hobley, Head of the Heritage Lottery Fund in London, said: “Kenley Common is an incredible example of outer London’s heritage; an important local story of ordinary lives making an extraordinary contribution for the whole country. Thanks to National Lottery players we were able to invest into the Kenley Revival Project as the whole nation commemorates the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Britain. The Project will bring local people together and inspire them to take an active role in the site’s future and encourage visitors from further afield to come and learn about Kenley’s pivotal role in the Second World War.
For more information visit www.kafg.org.uk.
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