HLF CEO’s flying visit

Heritage Lottery Fund CEO, Carole Souter CBE got a bird’s eye view of Dudley Castle today when she met Magellan horned owl, Grafton during a display in the courtyard.

Ms Souter’s visit to DZG took in restoration work in progress to four Tecton structures as part of an HL-funded £1.15million 36-month project.   DZG CEO Peter Suddock – pictured above with Carole and Head of Birds, Kellie Piper – said: “Carole was thoroughly interested in the work that has been carried out and keen to hear of future developments and ideas that are in the pipeline.   “This project has been made possible by Heritage Lottery funding and we are immensely grateful that we have been given such an opportunity to work on this incredible collection that is now recognised across the globe.”   The Modernist structures – Safari Gift Shop, Entrance, Bear Ravine and Kiosk One – are part of the world’s largest single collection of 12 reinforced concrete Tecton buildings designed by Berthold Lubetkin.    The unique project is also funding an apprentice-training scheme for concrete repair and conservation skills, an on-site exhibition of Lubetkin’s work and has seen the full refurb of the country’s only vintage (1958)chairlift.