Save the Castle Armoury

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Save the Castle Armoury
IP: 86.152.223.255
Posted on October 16, 2022 at 10:59:10 by Dennis Laverick

This is the reply to the open letter sent to the MOD about the short notice and closure of the Castle Armoury (Drill Hall) in Bury

MINISTRY OF DEFENCE
FLOOR 5, ZONE B, MAIN BUILDING
WHITEHALL LONDON SW1A 2HB
Telephone 020 7218 9000 (Switchboard)
4/6/2/1/ap 5 October 2022
Dear Cllr Eamonn,
Thank you for your correspondence of 7 September 2022, regarding the lack of maintenance
and repairs to Castle Armoury in Bury, which I understand has recently resulted in the closure of
the building on safety grounds.
Whilst I recognise the importance of Castle Armoury to the identity and history of Bury, the
safety of the Service personnel who use the site is of the utmost priority to the Ministry of
Defence (MOD). The degree of repairs required to the building is extensive and includes the
complete replacement of both the existing roof covering and the gas heating system, in addition
to a complete electrical rewire. I�m sure you will appreciate this level of work will require
considerable funding.
Regrettably, the Reserve Forces and Cadets� Association (RFCA) is only funded by MOD to
undertake Mandatory Inspections and Tests and very limited reactive maintenance of the
Estate, and, it was for this reason, that the Head of Establishment made the difficult decision to
close the building and re-locate the reserve and cadet units which are housed there.
Over the next few months, further work will be undertaken by the MOD, and the RFCA, to
determine the level of works required at the site. Pending this work being undertaken, I regret to
inform you that there are no plans to reopen the site.
I was pleased to hear that the Council is working with its voluntary and community sector, the
Armed Forces Champion and the Chair of Bury Council Armoury Trust to explore any external
funding which may be available. The RFCA is also engaging with the Trust and will continue to
participate in meetings with local stakeholders.
I trust my response explains the Department�s position on this matter.
THE RT HON ALEC SHELBROOKE MP

NOT GOOD NEWS RFCA should be held responsible for letting it get into the state it is now in

Replies:

Re(1): Save the Castle Armoury - By Leslie Ingham October 17, 2022 at 08:50:36
- Re(2): Save the Castle Armoury - By Vince moran October 17, 2022 at 11:33:06

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