In July 2026 we received a substantial National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF) grant to deliver a two-year heritage project, which is part of a larger vision to bring to life the heritage of the Southside site and the surrounding Southeast Lincoln. Over the next two years with our heritage partners (including St Mary’s Guildhall (Lincoln Civic Trust) and Lincolnshire County Council) we will be bringing to life the medieval history of the 12th century ‘St. Katherine's Priory’ (the Southside site) and the lives of the community of Gilbertine Order canons, and lay sisters; the story of Saint Gilbert; and their relationship with Queen Eleanor of Castile (wife of King Edward I). Her body lay in state at the Priory as monks prepared it for the procession to London, and her interment. The first ‘Eleanor Cross’ was erected to mark the commencement of the procession in 1292. A surviving fragment of this Lincoln cross is in Lincoln Castle.

We will illustrate and communicate this rich local medieval history by creating interpretation panels, LED touch screens and table (with information in 3 or 4 languages); high-quality heritage videos (with captions and British Sign Language provision); immersive audio descriptors; plinths containing objects you can touch; and large text interpretation booklets. Trained heritage will also be on hand to guide visitors around the exhibition, which will be open to the public on a part-time basis from 2028 (or maybe even sooner). The overall idea is to start with the local medieval history but over time focus on other periods such as the fine manufacturing history of the early 20th Century and the stories of the workers who lived in our neighbourhoods.

Alongside this work we will be leading on the development of a 5-year Southeast Lincoln Heritage Strategic Plan in collaboration with local heritage custodians and communities. Our local heritage is important to us and are demonstrating our commitment by building robust partnerships and a strategic plan.  This initiative will provide us with an opportunity to harness our heritage as another tool for building our economical sustainability, conserve our grade II listed buildings, and continue contributing to our area’s cultural and economic growth.

We will be posting regular up-dates on this ‘Gateway to Lincoln’ Phase 1 Project in the coming months.

(August 2026).