FEATURE


is being pencilled in as the re-opening date for Severndroog Castle.


Severndroog Restoration Easter


nex t y ear


Campaigners hope that restoration work on the 18th century folly will start this summer and take place over a nine month period.


A total of £800,000 has been raised from a range of funding bodies, with three quarters coming from the Heritage Lottery Fund with the remainder from English Heritage, the Architectural Heritage Fund, the Pilgrim Trust and the Country Houses Foundation.


SEnine is backing an appeal from the Severndroog Trust to raise funds to establish a café and visitor centre facilities in the castle, which boasts panoramic views from its roof terrace across Eltham, Blackheath, central London and the Thames.


Visitors will be able to climb the castle’s spiral staircase to the refurbished terrace to enjoy the magnificent panoramic views from the highest point in London.


The Trust hopes the café will be open four days a week, including weekends, with other days being given over to school visits from students across the capital.


Much of the money will be spent on securing basic structural repairs to the building’s exterior and providing modern facilities for visitors in its interior. These will include new toilets


16


will be relayed.


Interpretive displa ys will be provided on the


SEnine


by John Webb


upper floors and volunteers are being sought to provide supervision.


In order to provide 24/7 security, the latest CCTV technology will be employed. The Trust has reluctantly accepted the need to install fencing around the Castle to ensure the building’s safety from damage, but this will be opened in the daytime allowing public access.


Discussions are being held with Greenwich Council’s parks department about the possibility of lowering the tree canopy around the castle to make it more visible from a distance, particularly during the summer months.


David Goodfellow, the


and disabled access to the ground floor, where the café will be located and webcam views from the terrace


Severndroog Castle was erected in 1784 to commemorate Sir William James after his death by his wife, Lady James. She wanted it erected on Shooters Hill so it could be seen from her home, Park Farm Place, in Glenure Road.


For years it ran as a visitor attraction before the abolition of the Greater London Council when it was handed over to Greenwich without the funds to keep it in good condition.


The inside of the castle is notable for its wood panelling, elaborate moulding and cornice work and spiral staircase.


Trust’s


treasurer said: “We’re obviously delighted to have secured the funds and that the restoration can go ahead.


“We need to appoint a project manager and start a tendering process to undertake the various works.


“But our work really begins when the building work has finished, establishing the café, an educational resource and paying the on-going bills, including insurance”, he said.


Although the Trust has received funds to ensure the Castle’s restoration, it is seeking donations to help buy the facilities it needs to open its operations and volunteers to help to staff it. Anyone wishing to help should contact the Trust at www. severndroogcastle.org.uk/home.htm


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