Cash boost helps stone centre revamp project

The Veolia Environmental Trust has awarded £14,400 to the National Stone Centre, in Middleton–by–Wirksworth, from its Landfill Communities Fund.

The money will be used to install new signposting, interpretation panels and information boards along the trails and quarries around the centre. Access to the site will also be improved.

The enhancements will help the centre tell the ‘story of stone’, promoting public understanding of geographical principles, the history of the Earth, industrial archaeological heritage, and native wildlife.

Jill Benghiat, a trustee for the National Stone Centre, said: “This is great news for our project.

“The grant is very welcome and we look forward to working with the trust team to ensure our plans become real and benefit the community of Wirksworth.”

Paul Taylor, executive director of The Veolia Environmental Trust, said: “This grant is a great example of how the trust and the Landfill Communities Fund makes a real difference to all types of communities across the UK.

“Every project is important to us and we look forward to seeing work start and the trail improvements take shape.”

The centre will now confirm the scheme’s detail with the trust.