Creative minds behind new plans for a well-known Reading landmark that has sat unused for a decade have revealed fresh details.
The Cemetery Junction Arch is a gatehouse at the entrance to the old cemetery in East Reading which was established in 1842.
A group called Junction Arch Heritage & Arts (JAHA) has intentions to buy the arch and bring it into use as a local heritage and arts destination.
But to do so, the group needs to bid for funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund to revitalise the building.
Following advice from the Fund that a bid focused more on increasing access to heritage would stand a better chance of success, the JAHA team has adapted its phase one plan.
The key elements of the project are restoration, accessibility, interpretation and community engagement.
The restoration involves carrying out essential repairs to the Bath stone arch and refurbishing its interior to create an exhibition space and café with outdoor seating, affordable workspace and space for community meetings and activities.
To improve accessibility, JAHA would resurface some of the paths in the Old Cemetery so that access can be provided to the memorials for wheelchair and mobility scooter users, people with impaired vision and those who are less steady on their feet.
Interpretation boards would be created to enable visitors to learn about the monuments and wildlife that occupy the cemetery.
The group also wants to run an arts-based heritage project with five nearby schools, focusing on the history and wildlife of the site.
Nick Cooksey, JAHA project co-ordinator said: “We are really excited about our project and are hopeful that our application to the National Lottery Heritage Fund will be successful.
“We are very aware of how fierce the competition for grants is at the moment, but we hope the support of an experienced heritage consultant will help with our application.”
In order for the group’s plans to go ahead, the arch will need to be bought from Reading Borough Council.
Nick explained: “JAHA is in contractual negotiations with Reading Borough Council to purchase the Arch for £40,000.
“The success of the bid will be dependent on us securing the funding to restore the building and bring it into use.”
The arch will be open for an exhibition of pictures by photographer Matt Emmett as part of Heritage Open Days on Sunday, September 10, from 10am until 5pm.
A separate group, Reading Old Cemetery: History, Heritage & Education will also be hosting an open day at Reading Old Cemetery. The event, called Around the Cemetery in 80 minutes: An interactive Victorian family adventure, will take place from 1.30pm to 4pm on Sunday, September 17.
Booking is preferred and can be done by emailing readingoldcemetery1843@gmail.com or visiting www.tinyurl.com/readingoldcemetery2023. Bookings will close at 10am on the day.
