September's splendid news is that we have been successful in our application to the Heritage Lottery Foundation for Stage 1 funding.

This makes available funding which enables us to proceed with the detailed design of the Washburn Heritage Centre building by the architects, Pearce Bottomley, and the application for planning permission. An archeological survey will go ahead, and also the preliminary excavation of the site.

Meanwhile the programme of future activities and events at the Centre is being fully developed in readiness for the application for full funding in March 2009.