A second round of the Government's Culture Recovery fund announced today (Friday, 2 April) has seen grants go to cultural and heritage organisations across Maldon district.

On the list this time were both Maldon's Combined Military Services Museum, receiving £26,200, and the Museum of Power in Langford, receiving £31,386. Both grants came from Arts Council England.

Burnham's Rio Cinema was awarded £18,162 from the British Film Institute.

And three organisations received funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, as follows:

-Creeksea Place Events Limited: £35,900

-WW1 Aviation Heritage Trust, based at Stow Maries: £8,600

-Maldon District Council (for historic areas, buildings and monuments): £20,000.

Dr Roger Griffin, Chair of Museum of Power Board of Trustees, said: "The Museum of Power is very appreciative and proud to have received this award. It will ensure we can fully re-open, recover and support our community to thrive again through our cultural venue providing a great visitor experience, enjoyable community events and engaging and inspiring Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics learning opportunities for all."

The cash awards follow a first tranche of funding back in October, where nationally organisations received a total of £279,713 from the government fund to help them recover and re-open following the Covid-19 pandemic.

The second round of funding was announced today (Friday, 2 March) by Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden, with 2,700 organisations across the country being offered around £400 million in grants and loans.

Mr Dowden said: "Our record breaking Culture Recovery Fund has already helped thousands of culture and heritage organisations across the country survive the biggest crisis they've ever faced.