Richard Holden, MP for North West Durham, welcomed £862,664 worth of Government grant funding provided to Durham & Darlington Music Education Hub and Ushaw College.
The funding represents the first tranche of support being provided by the Government’s Culture Recovery Fund Grants programme which is being administered by the Arts Council. The money is part of hundreds of millions of pounds being made available nationwide by the Government.
In January, Richard visited Ushaw College, which is a former Catholic seminary located near Ushaw Moor. In 2014 it reopened as a visitor attraction and he met with Peter Seed its Director for Operations. Parts of the College are used by Durham University and before the crisis the college hosted musical events and lectures. Durham & Darlington Music Education Hub is based within the college and has been awarded £572,956, whilst the college itself has been awarded £289,708.
Richard said: “I am delighted that this grant money has been released and will help the Music Education Hub and College continue their valuable work. I was deeply impressed by the beauty of the college when I visited earlier this year, and hope to return again once the public health restrictions allow meeting its great team again. I am glad that this vital funding is being delivered to local groups like these that need it and will enable them to continue their important work in education so people can carry on practicing their art of music.”