"The Newcomen Beam Engine at Elsecar – one of the most important inventions of the industrial revolution and a breakthrough in the creation of mechanical power from steam – has been awarded a confirmed grant of £425,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) for a complete restoration.

The two-year project, to be run by Barnsley Council, will see the world-famous beam engine, shaft, and engine house restored to full working order and conserved within the wider site of the Elsecar village conservation area as a premier tourist attraction in Barnsley.

Fiona Spiers, Head of the Heritage Lottery Fund for Yorkshire and the Humber, said:

"Currently, Elsecar Heritage Centre attracts 225,000 people a year and the importance of its unique industrial heritage is not as widely understood or as accessible to the public as it could be. This project, in addition to saving the Newcomen engine for future generations, will see greatly improved interpretation at the site and activities for visitors in addition to training and volunteer opportunities for people so they can get involved in protecting this wonderful place."

The engine, which pumped water out of the Elsecar New Colliery from 1795 to 1923 and remained in working order until the 1950s, is one of the top 10 key industrial sites on English Heritage's Heritage at Risk Register due to its 'outstanding importance to England's industrial past'.

Described within the heritage sector as 'the forefather of the industrial revolution' the Scheduled Ancient Monument is the last to remain in-situ in its original engine house and is amongst the most important heritage sites in the world.

Elsecar was the industrial powerhouse of the successive Earls of Fitzwilliam from nearby Wentworth Woodhouse. The astonishing surroundings remaining today around the Newcomen Engine include ironworks, workshops, a canal, a colliery and the Fitzwilliam's family railway station. The village itself is an excellent example of an industrial model village – perhaps the earliest in England.

"This is fantastic news for Elsecar and for Barnsley. We're proud of our rich industrial heritage, of iron and coal production going back many centuries. Elsecar, with its ironworks, canal, railway and this important beam engine, has the potential to be a first class visitor attraction. Now we have the chance to share its inspiring stories with visitors from across the region, around the world and with future generations, too."

Finally, Michael Dugher, MP for Barnsley East, also offers his support:

"The Newcomen Beam Engine in Elsecar is one of Yorkshire's finest surviving legacies of the industrial revolution so it is great news that this money has been awarded for its restoration. And, as well as restoring the engine back to its original state, I think this new project will be an excellent opportunity to showcase our area's proud past.

"But with the funding also being used to develop and update the visitor attraction, this is also about helping our local economy in the future, too. Particular thanks should go to the tireless campaigning by local Councillors Robin Franklin and Tim Shepherd. They have both played a crucial role in securing this investment and, ultimately, ensuring that this important part of our heritage is celebrated in our community for many years to come."

Picture Proud Photography held a charity day on Saturday 10 March to raise money in aid of Weston Park Cancer Hospital.

The Elsecar heritage Centre based photographer did family photo shoots in return for donations to charity and raised in total £842.

This follows on from previous year's charity events in which Lyndsay Brown, Picture Proud's proud owner, has raised £300 for comic relief and around £250 for Teenage Cancer Trust and Marie Curie Cancer Care.

There are also plenty of hands on toddler sessions at Playmania to keep your little one learning and having fun.

And within the Heritage Centre a number of new businesses have opened, not least the Heritage Centre's own Visitor Centre, so at last you can learn some of the history of the site.

There's also now a Deli that sells lovely cheese, cured meat, preserves etc.

Toy, Train and Doll Fair
Tuesday 26th
7.00-9.00pm
Building 21
Admission £1.25 adults, £1.00 concessions, 50p children

Mobile Library
Wednesday 27th
1.15-4.00pm
Powerhouse Square
Everyone welcome – free to join in

Wednesday 27th, Thursday 28th and Friday 29th
Join in with activities for the Big Draw with artists John Ledger and Louise Wright
11.00am to 3.00pm
Building 21
Free event

Thursday 28th
Enjoy halloween craft workshops
morning and afternoon sessions 11.00am and 1.00pm
Building 21
Pre booking required – 01226 740203 Maximum 50 children per session. All children must be accompanied be an adult
Free event

Saturday 30th
Halloween Hauntings on the Elsecar Heritage Railway
Evening event – dare you ride the Halloween train?
Trains half hourly from 5.30 to 8.30 For tickets phone 01226 746746

Saturday 30th & Sunday 31st
Newcomen Art & Craft Fair
Building 21 Tel 01226 744425

Sunday 31st
Halloween Party – Playmania
Booking required Telephone 01226 744344

Come along for a free tour of Elsecar’s unique pumping engine which dates back to 1795 – then hear a short talk about new ambitions to restore the engine to its former glory and celebrate its tri-centenary in 2012.

This Sunday June 13^th

Tour 2.30pm                               Tour 4pm                                  Short Talk 5pm

Meet in the Victorian Meeting Room at Elsecar Heritage Centre

If you’d like to reserve your place on a tour, please do so by RSVP to this e-mail or call 01226 740203

Tea and coffee will be served

Thank You for your interest and support

Any queries, please get back to me or call 01226 741817, Steph

The Unit has already gained a new room and the contractors are pressing on with renovating the interior.

Once finished the Visitor Centre will be manned during each day during office hours and will provide information about the Heritage Centre, its history and surroundings. It may also contain a gift shop with local history books and mementos.