(DCMS) Government announce next steps on Stonehenge visitor centre

A new visitor centre to help bring alive the mystery and majesty of Stonehenge, the UK's internationally renowned World Heritage Site, was given the go-ahead in principle today by the Government.

The Stonehenge Programme Board, chaired by the Culture Minister, Barbara Follett, and Transport Minister, Andrew Adonis, has recommended that the centre, costing up to £25m, should be built at Airman's Corner. The way is now clear for work to be done on working up a design, seeking planning permission and raising funding to deliver the project.

Funding will be provided through a range of private and public sources, including English Heritage, Heritage Lottery Fund, Highways Agency, Department for Culture, Media and Sport and the Department for Transport. The level of public funds committed will be conditional on meeting the rigorous requirements for approving major public projects. The Government also announced that the site will be further enhanced by closing the A344 which at present takes traffic very close to the stones.

Culture Secretary Andy Burnham said:

"Stonehenge has fascinated and enthralled people for thousands of years. It is undoubtedly one of the world's key heritage sites, and a preeminent UK visitor attraction. I am delighted that we have been able to identify a sustainable and affordable solution for a visitor centre at one of the world's key heritage sites, and one of the UK's most iconic visitor attractions. Today's announcement marks the first steps towards making long held aspirations for Stonehenge a reality, and could not have been achieved without the commitment, determination and passion of our partners. "

Barbara Follett said:

"Stonehenge is our most important and well recognised prehistoric site and, as such, is absolutely at the heart of our national history and heritage. Everyone agrees, however, that the way it is presented to visitors is far short of ideal. Consensus on how to improve visitor facilities has eluded stakeholders for far too long, and so I am delighted that we now have plans to move forward. There is still a long way to go, of course, but we now have to get on with making it happen"

The chosen site at Airman's Corner is about 1.5 miles west from the current site, at the edge of the World Heritage Site and has good access to the stones.

English Heritage Chairman, Professor Sir Barry Cunliffe, said:

"Our vision for Stonehenge has always been a simple one: to restore a sense of dignity and wonder to its setting, and provide visitors with a really high quality experience. I believe the plans announced today will do this, and significantly improve what we have there at present."

Dame Fiona Reynolds, Director General of the National Trust, added:

"The new facilities will greatly improve the experience for the many thousands of visitors to Stonehenge, while the other planned work has the potential to really improve the wider setting of the monument itself. We look forward to working with English Heritage and the other partners in this project to help take it forward."

(DCMS) Government scheme returns Gainsborough landscape to Norwich

A major landscape painting by one of England's most important painters is to become part of Norwich Castle Museum's permanent collection, Barbara Follett, Minister for Culture and for the East of England, announced today.

Thomas Gainsborough's landscape, 'Open Landscape with Milkmaid and Cows, Donkeys, Plough Team and Church, Farmhouse and Barn among Trees', has been accepted in lieu of inheritance tax as part of the Acceptance in Lieu Scheme (AIL) which is administered by the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA) on behalf of the government.

Barbara Follett, Minister for Culture and for the East of England said:

"I am very pleased to present this beautiful painting by Gainsborough to the Castle Museum. I am glad that the people of today, and those of the future, will be able to enjoy it thanks to the Government's innovative tax scheme. This is helping regional museums like the Castle, grow their collections by rewarding philanthropy and, at the same time, enriching local heritage."

The AIL scheme enables items deemed to be of historical or artistic importance to be given in place of inheritance tax, with items then given to museums and galleries throughout the UK. The acceptance of the Gainsborough painting satisfied £700,000 of tax liability.

The painting has been permanently allocated to the Castle Museum, Norwich, in accordance with the condition attached to the offer.

This landscape oil painting dates to the late 1750s, at the end of the artist's time in Ipswich. It was commissioned by an East Anglian patron and has passed down through the family over the generations.

(DCMS) Barbara Follett protects the weapons stores which helped protect us in the past

Ordnance Yards and Magazine Depots from the Napoleonic War to the First World War are amongst 48 buildings listed or upgraded today by Culture Minister, Barbara Follett, following a study by English Heritage.

The buildings, mostly listed at Grade II, include:

* the Mixing house (building 124) at Bull Point, Plymouth, constructed in 1804 and a unique survival from the Napoleonic Wars, where gunpowder from returning warships was recycled

* the Shell Fitting and Packing Workshop (building 65) also at Bull Point, built in 1862 as a specialized workshop for filling and packing shells, and

* a munitions factory at Priddy's Hard, Gosport, where, more than a hundred years ago, women workers used to slip love letters into ammunition boxes they were packing, for lonely sailors to find.

Of the 33 newly listed buildings, 19 are owned by the MOD and managed by Defence Estates (DE).

One building, Government Powder Magazine No.5, at Purfleet in Essex, has had its listing upgraded to Grade I, based on new research and findings of the thematic survey.

One site in particular, Priddy's Hard, has some interesting and heart-warming history. During the early 1900s, Gosport Women's Football Team was comprised mostly of ladies who were employed at the Priddy's Hard depot. They were considered to be one of the best ladies sides in the country, and camaraderie among them remained strong until they were laid off.

These same women would also hide love letters in the boxes of ammunition they were assembling, for the sailors to find on their voyages at sea. It was hoped that these would cheer the troops, and many relationships were both formed - and finished! - thanks to these little notes.

Barbara Follett, Culture Minister, said:

"These sites are poignant reminders of our military history and the effect that this had on the men and women involved. Their historic importance is indisputable and the role they played in Britain's defence against invaders - as part of factory settings - was pivotal. Each one has a tale to tell, some sad, some touching, but all had a key role in Britain's maritime dominance of the world."

Richard McKinney, Head of the Property Directorate at Defence Estates, said:

"These sites have played a significant role in reinforcing the sense of identity, ethos and pride of our Forces. The MOD takes its stewardship of its historic estate very seriously and we will continue to positively manage these buildings, to safeguard their future for generations to come."

Gemma Abercrombie, Head of Heritage Protection Operations for English Heritage, said:

"Each of these sites has evolved in a different way in response to the pressures caused by the development of ordnance and explosives, and reveal fascinating stories of our military history. We are delighted that our research and the work undertaken in conjunction with the MoD has allowed these buildings to be further recognised through statutory protection."

(DCMS) Culture minister defers export of a 19th century Iranian insignia

Culture Minister, Barbara Follett, has placed a temporary export bar on a 19th-century Iranian decoration, the Insignia of the Order of the Lion and the Sun. This will provide a last chance to raise the money to keep the insignia in the United Kingdom.

The Minister's ruling follows a recommendation by the Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art and Objects of Cultural Interest, administered by the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA). The Committee recommended that the export decision be deferred on the grounds that the insignia is of outstanding aesthetic importance and of outstanding significance for the study of relations between Britain and Iran, as well as for the study of enamelling, and of orders and decorations.

The Order of the Lion and the Sun (the emblem of the Qajar rulers of Iran), was created in the 19th century as an order of chivalry to reward foreign nationals who had earned the royal favour, and was modelled on European orders of chivalry. The insignia consists of a badge, collar and star and is accompanied by a plaque stating that it was presented by the Shah of Iran to Sir John Kinnier MacDonald, an important figure in the history of Iranian-British relations. Macdonald was the East India Company envoy to Iran between 1824 and 1830, and the order was given in recognition for his help in securing a peace treaty during the Russo-Persian war of 1826-28.

The insignia, made of gold, enamel and precious stones, is signed by Muhammad Ja'far and dated 1242 AH/1826-7 AD. Ja'far was one of the leading enamel artists at the court of Fath 'Ali Shah, and there is only one other work by him in a UK public collection. As the style of the insignias changed markedly over the course of the 19th century, this one crystalises both a moment in Iranian-British history and a stage in the development of this type of insignia. There are other examples in the UK but this is the only one that survives as a complete set of badge, collar and star.

Simon Swynfen Jervis, Reviewing Committee member, said: "These dazzling insignia demonstrate a high degree of quality of workmanship and are in excellent condition, rare for enamelled pieces which are easily damaged. As well as being important for the study of the history of the art of enamelling, the ensemble is also significant for the study of Britain's relations with Iran."

The decision on the export licence application for the insignia will be deferred for a period ending on 8 June inclusive. This period may be extended until 8 October inclusive if a serious intention to raise funds with a view to making an offer to purchase the insignia at the recommended price of £1,800,000 is expressed.

Anyone interested in making an offer to purchase the insignia should contact the owner's agent through:

The Secretary
The Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art and Objects of Cultural Interest
Museums, Libraries and Archives Council,
Wellcome Wolfson Building
165 Queen's Gate
South Kensington
London SW7 5HD
Telephone 020 7273 8270

(DCMS) Tourism industry looks to 'greener' future

The tourism industry needs to adopt more sustainable and environmentally friendly ways of working in order to secure its long term future and to combat climate change, Tourism Minister Barbara Follett said today.

As part of British Tourism Week Ms Follett attended the 'Best of Britain and Ireland Show' where she officially launched the Department for Culture, Media and Sport's new sustainable tourism framework for England. This sets out six key challenges for the tourism sector and honours the commitment made in the Government's tourism strategy for 2012.

Barbara Follett, said:

"All of us must try to behave in a more environmentally responsible way and the tourism industry is no exception. If we value the future of our world and if we want to protect our country's unique tourism offer for future generations, we must take sustainability seriously and not see it just as an add-on luxury. There are already many businesses doing exemplary work in this area but more must to do so and soon. We have to challenge our thinking about what is on offer and how businesses are run.

"This will not be easy in difficult economic times, but a sustainable approach can be good for business too."

The six key challenges that have been identified not only look at ways to help the environment but also focus on measures to secure the long term future of the industry.

Businesses will be encouraged to take advantage of technological improvements in buildings and equipment as well as trying to address the impact of tourism transport by increasing awareness and using more targeted forms of advertising.

But the challenges also look at sustaining the industry with more businesses encouraged to sign up to the quality assessment schemes and provide better access for all, and to improve perceptions of jobs in the sector with a drive to attract more diverse people who view careers in tourism as long term.

The Government will be working with the industry to address all these issues and will be monitoring progress regularly; a formal review will be undertaken in three years time.