Why an Article on Blake Cottage?
It came to our notice that the charity, The Blake Cottage Trust, were raising money for rethatching works on Blake Cottage. Why is the cottage important and needing a trust to raise money to maintain the roof we wondered? So, we looked at their website.
We decided to contact the Trust and offer to help promote their work and they readily accepted. So pleased to be helping with this article, raising awareness of their fundraising. Funds to not only look after this important Cottages’s thatched roof and it’s structure but to open it to the public as “a site of cultural heritage”.
Background on Blake Cottage
Blake Cottage is a 18th Century thatched Grade II* Listed Building, located in Felpham, Sussex.
William Blake (1757 – 1827) was a “poet, writer, artist, printer and visionary”, most famous for Milton (which became Jerusalem turned into a hymn by Hubert Parry) “and did those feet in ancient time”.
This and may other famous works were conceived at the Blake Cottage where he and his wife Catherine lived from 1800 – 1803. A short but important time.
The Blake Cottage Trust
As a registered Charity – No. 1160716 The Blake Cottage Trust is managed by Trustees.
The newly appointed Board of Trustees plan to:-
- Replace the worn out thatched roof and secure the fabric of the building.
- Return the cottage and garden to how it would have been like in Blake’s time.
- Create a new building within the grounds as an arts and educational centre. This will be the only centre dedicated to William Blake.
Our aim is to promote the Trusts work in getting grants and donations in order to help them achieve their plan. They hope to restore it for public use by 2027 because that will be Blakes bicentenary year.
Click here for a informative video on the state of Blake Cottage
Can you Help The Blake Cottage Trust with their Fundraising?
The Trust initially needs to raise £125,000 for the roof and structural work on the building. In total they need around £2 – £3 million. This fundraising strategy is to be in the form of grants, private and public funding.
So far help has been received from many areas and individuals. Partnerships are being formed to further the project including involving the wider Blake Community along with ambassadors and patrons. There are even links to the Women’s Institute which has Jerusalem as their anthem.
The National Heritage lottery fund is also being applied to for assistance.
Conclusion
Blake Cottage in 2021
Finally, we really hope our promotion of this worthwhile and exciting plan helps in fundraising for the thatched roof for Blakes Cottage, its restoration and the construction of the educational/cultural centre.
Please go to their website to find out more, and if you can help with a donation hat’s great news.
We will keep you posted on progress.
