Bearhunt's Director of Curiosity, Tom Calderbank, is celebrating a remarkable achievement after hearing the news that he has helped to save the other woman in his life.

The final piece of the £6.6 million funding needed to save Liverpool's derelict Florence Institute known affectionately as 'The Florrie' has been secured. For a truly amazing story of the power of persistence see our blog feature Magic running in the gutters like lightening.

Built in 1889 by Alderman Bernard Hall in memory of his daughter Florence who died in Paris at the age of 22, The Florrie was to become a boys club in Liverpool's Dingle. It remained a vibrant hub for young people for 100 years before council cut backs saw it close in the 1980's before a major fire in 1999 seriously damaged the roof.

Tom has been a driving force behind The Friends of the Florrie who have campaigned tirelessly for 14 years to save the building against the odds. Work will begin on restoring this amazing building and recreating a vibrant community hub which will last for another 100 years. www.theflorrie.org

Congratulations to Tom and to all the Friends of the Florrie on a magnificent achievement.

TrackBack URI for this entry

Comments (1)

Subscribe to this comment's feed

...
written by Angela Hewitt - FIT Ltd Co.Sec/Trustee, May 12, 2011

We all love our Florrie. The Board of Trustees are thankful to our Friends & Tom for their continuing support. This has been an encouragement during the past 7 years whilst our Board has worked tirelessly to develop the plans & secure the funding from so many sources.

In addition to giving thanks to all of our Friends for their vital input, I'd like to take this opportunity to recognise the commitment of the Board & their work, which resulted in the actual programme of Restoration. Credit must be given to our Chair, our Project Development Officer and our Patron, the Bishop of Liverpool who have led this project on the Trusts behalf and who were responsible for the successful outcome. Well done to everyone.

Our Florrie is on time to open Spring 2012. To follow our progress please visit www.theflorrie.org and to view our records of the actual restoration please visit www.theflorrie.tv . For all enquiries please contact our Trust, The Florence Institute Trust Ltd, Co Toxteth Town Hall, 15 High Park St, Liverpool L8 8DX. Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

• 
• +0
• 
•