Artillery museum secures grant towards new home

A military collection rated as nationally important has been awarded £286,999 towards a new museum to house it.

The Royal Artillery Museum at Larkhill near Salisbury currently lacks a permanent home after the closure of its Woolwich site in 2016.

The museum said that without the National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF) funding, much of its collection would remain in storage and inaccessible to the public.

It said it can now move forward with plans to apply for a full grant of £4.6 million for its Guns on the Plain project, which will include more than 600 major pieces, including field guns, howitzers, mortars and rockets

Stuart McLeod, from the NLHF, said: "This project will open up one of the country's most significant military collections, ensuring these stories are preserved and shared for generations to come."

It also includes models, uniforms, bladed weapons and over 11,000 medals and is currently held in storage in Larkhill.

The museum will tell the stories of the men and women who have served in the Royal Artillery since 1778, as well as the development of artillery over time.

The former museum at the Royal Arsenal closed after failing to meet expected visitor numbers.

The long-delayed project to establish a new permanent museum is progressing following discussions with the military over control of the site.

Maj Gen Nick Eeles, chair of the Royal Artillery Museum, said: "Thanks to National Lottery players, we can now develop our plans to share the remarkable story of the Gunners, and their unique place in our nation's history, while ensuring that our extraordinary collection is preserved for future generations.

"It's really a very special collection, and that is reflected in Arts Council England designating it of national importance."

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