The project would not have been possible without the financial support of the funding agencies.  The Group recognized at an early stage in their deliberations that local partnership help was essential to attract external funding, particularly from the Heritage Lottery and English Heritage.  Fund raising initiatives have therefore been important considerations throughout the project.  From the outset Ponteland Parish Council have acted in partnership with the Group in underwriting various costs and charges. Their involvement has provided the necessary stability to attract grant aid.  The aims and objectives of the Group have enjoyed the general approval of the Community, which has supported the fund raising activities.

A Cantonese Banquet was held at The New Rendezvous Restaurant, Darras Hall on Monday 25^th October 1999.  This was a great success and raised £674 towards the fund.

June Reed and the Pele Singers were keen to support the project and offered to give a concert to raise funds.  On 6^th May 2000 ninety-three people attended the concert, in St Mary's church hall, which contributed £594 to the funds

Grants

In November 2001 the heritage Lottery Fund confirmed an award of £18,600 towards the project.

English Heritage provided £10,274 as a 50% grant of the cost of eligible works
Northumberland Environmental Partnership awarded a grant of £7500
The Pilgrim Trust awarded £5,000
The Sir James Knott Trust granted £5,000
The Hadrian Trust awarded £1,000
Financial support was also provided by, Ponteland Parish Council, Castle Morpeth Borough Council, The Benfield Motors Trust, The J C Burn Trust, Bairstow Eves, Matthew Charlton Ltd., the Wednesday Ladies Club, the Methodist Church Women`s Fellowship, St. Mary`s Church Ladies Coffee Club, Welcome on Thursday Ladies Group and numerous private donations.
Charles Wesencraft, President of Ponteland Local History Society also presented a framed watercolour of the Pele to help with fund-raising.

Principal costs

Architect -  Reavell & Cahill  £ 3,000
Consolidation & Restoration - Historic Building Services Ltd. £29,000
Lighting  -  C.M. Laycock  £ 7,264
Lighting Design -      Lighting Design Consultancy £ 1,800
Archaeological Evaluation  -    The Archaeological Practice £    635
Archaeological Assessment -    The Archaeological Practice £  560
Rectified Photography  -  Thompson Multimedia  £  864
Interpretation -  Differentia Ltd  £  700
Flagpole -  Harrisons  £    700
Tree Surgery -  R Coates  £  260
Netting - Scarpa Pest & Vermin Control £ 1,800

Acknowledgements

Many people, particularly Peter Rogers, Historic Buildings Officer to Northumberland County Council, have supported and advised the Group over the past five years and without their expert help and guidance the Group would have had great difficulty in meeting those aims and objectives set out on 25^th June 1997.  The frustrations and disappointments experienced by the Group over these years have been overshadowed by their support, friendship and courtesy.

Mrs. Beryl Taylor deserves a special mention for the magnificent culinary displays at monthly group meetings.  They were an encouragement to attend and will be missed. 
Ponteland Parish Council have shown unfailing support and encouragement throughout. Without their agreement to enter into a long term lease arrangement with the owners Castle Morpeth Borough Council and accept responsibility for the small recurring revenue maintenance charges this project would not have been possible.  Mrs. Judith Oliver and Mrs. Jan Potts have accommodated the extra administrative work without complaint and have shown patience when coping with the Groups` occasional but rare short-term cash flow problems.
The Groups` sincere thanks are extended to Addison Rapper and Clog Dance Team, The Archaeological Practice - University of Newcastle Upon Tyne, Terry Ball - Artist, Harry Beamish - National Trust, Tony Beckworth, Emeritus Professor Richard Bailey, Dr. Sarah Bendall - Merton College, Oxford, Kim Bibby-Wilson, Bob Bolam, David Brookes - Northumberland Environmental Partnership, Chris Brummit, Crosbie Bryson, Peter Charleton, Ernie Coe, Mike Collins - Assistant County Archielogist, Raymond B Connell - Reavell and Cahill, Julie & Andrew Dewhirst - Scarpa Pest Control, Hugh Edmundson - Castle Morpeth Borough Council, John Grundy, Nick Graham - Historic Building Services Ltd., Ruth Hadden - Bat expert, Carolyn Hardy - County Archaeologist, Harrisons Flagpoles Ltd., Anita Lamb - English Heritage, C. M. Laycock - lighting contractor, Kevin Liu- New Rendezvous, Neighbourhood Watch, Steve Pardue - Differentia Ltd., Michael Phillips - Lighting Design Consultancy, Marilyn Pollard - Castle Morpeth Borough Council, Ponteland County High School, June Reed, Raymond Reed, Keith Robertson, Elizabeth Robson, The Rotary Club of Ponteland, Peter Ryder, Dr. Michael Stansfield - Merton College, Oxford, Ian Storey - Reavell and Cahill, Ken Shuttleworth, June Thompson, David Thomson - Thompson Multimedia, Vanessa Wells - Heritage Lottery Fund, Kate Wilson - English Heritage, B.M. Wyllie.

The Pele Tower Working Group hope that they have not missed anyone and offer apologies if they have.

Membership of the Working Group

Patron The Right Honourable Viscount Ridley KG, GCVO, TD, JP, DL.

Chairman  J. Michael Taylor, C.Eng, MICE, FIHT.
 
Vice Chairman  Councillor Frank Harrington.
 
Secretary John Turner, B.Sc, C.Eng, MICE, MCIWEM.
 
Treasurer  John Hall, B.Sc, MICE.
 
Councillor David Cogan, MA. (Cantab)
 
Geoffrey S. Creighton, ARIBA, Dip. LA, MLI.
 
Derek Deans,
     
William Taylor, AA Dipl, SADG, FRIBA