Council gets £50,000 funding for cattle screen

9:30am Friday 4th July 2008

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A PARISH council has been given a £50,000 grant to fund the restoration of a cattle screen.

Farningham Parish Council received the grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF).

The council applied for the funding so it could restore an 18th-century screen which arches over the River Darent and used to form part of Farningham's boundary wall, which prevented cattle from entering the village.

The Grade II listed structure is made of flint, brick and timber and it has naturally deteriorated due to its age, weather and contact with the river.

Chairman of the council Councillor Malcolm Gale said: "I am absolutely delighted. The bid took a lot of effort to put together.

"The materials we need to use are expensive because they have to be exactly what was used to originally create it."

Cllr Gale also said he is looking forward to seeing the ancient structure being bought back to its former glory.

The total project has been estimated at £59,600 and including the £50,000 grant from HLF, £57,100 has already been funded.

The remaining £2,500 is being sought from donations from residents and local businesses.

The cost of the restoration is expected to be around £38,500 and the remaining funding is going to be used to create information boards and a bench detailing the history of the screen.

Farningham and Eynsford Local Historical Society will also use some of the cash to research the history and reason behind the screen and residents will also be spoken to about their memories of the village.

The society will also produce leaflets which will inform people of guided walks around the village.

And Eynsford Photographic Image Club will be using some of the funding to create a photographic diary of the restoration.

Head of the South East region of HLF, Michelle Davies, said: "This project will not only restore and conserve a unique structure, it will also mobilise local interest in the heritage of the village."

The work on the cattle screen is due to start in August and should be completed by Christmas.

Anyone wishing to help raise funds towards the project can contact the clerk of the council, Jane Gray, on 01322 866066.