The remains of a medieval castle are set to be saved with vital funding from Historic England.
The organisation has awarded a £283,200 grant to help repair the historically significant remains of Wallingford Castle, which are on the 'Heritage at Risk' register.
Set amongst the giant and extensive castle earthworks, the ruins are the largest surviving pieces of wall from the once grand royal castle, which was first built under William the Conqueror and later dismantled stone by stone on the orders of Oliver Cromwell.
Wallingford Castle is protected as a scheduled monument and Grade I listed.
It is on the Heritage at Risk register due to slow decay and damage from weather conditions and ivy regrowth. Over the years the college ruins have seen its remains damaged by vandals and the motte eroded by visitors to the gardens.
The Castle Gardens and ruins are managed by Wallingford Town Council and offer a peaceful place for visitors and local people to spend time.
Councillor Katharine Keats-Rohan is a professional historian. She explained the college was a 'magnificent place' with three walls and three filled mottes.
She said: “The castle remains bear priceless witness to the important role Wallingford has played in English history and should be a source of pride to us all. I am enormously grateful to Historic England for helping us to save them for the future.”
The first phase of repairs will focus on the standing remains of the ‘College of St Nicholas’, to be completed by the end of next year in 2022.
A survey will be carried out to assess the stonework of the ruins ahead of conservation works.
Helena Hamerow, professor of early medieval archaeology and Historic England Commissioner, said: “Having been involved in recent archaeological work at Wallingford and around the castle, and knowing Historic England has worked hard over several years with Wallingford Town Council, it is fantastic to see repairs getting underway.”
Read also: Town's crackdown on vandalism to save castle ruins
There will be opportunities for local people to get involved throughout, to follow the work on site, and to learn more through displays in Wallingford town centre and new information boards produced by the volunteer-run museum.
Giles Pritchard, director of Pritchard Architecture, said: “We are delighted to be working on these significant remains on behalf of Wallingford Town Council. We will be undertaking a comprehensive survey of the stonework to assess its condition and to understand the causes of failure, to inform a detailed specification for repair and conservation.”
Last month a campaign was launched to educate young people on the town's history after several incidences of anti-social behaviour and vandalism to the historic ruins.
Town councillor and chairman of the Bull Croft Working Group, Steve Holder, taught school pupils about the impact of litter on the environment and the importance of respecting the historic monuments, parks and green spaces.
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