BROADCASTERS Stuart Maconie and Eric Robson are among a list of notable individuals who have pledged their support for the Norman Nicholson Society’s project to buy and renovate the Cumbrian poet’s former home in Millom.

Maconie – DJ, author and specialist in popular culture – and Robson – author, film producer and chairman of the BBC’s Gardeners’ Question Time – have both accepted invitations to be patrons of the Norman Nicholson House project.

The Society announced this week that it intends to seek grants from the Heritage Lottery Fund to buy the Victorian terraced house on St George’s Terrace, Millom, which has been on the market for over a year. It intends to carry out necessary repairs and renovations, and open it fully to the public.

Chair of the Society Charlie Lambert said: “I am delighted that so many respected individuals are backing our project. It shows that there is a real drive to do something constructive, both for the ongoing study of Nicholson’s work and also for the town of Millom.”

The full list of patrons is:

Dr Penny Bradshaw (Head of English, University of Cumbria)

Dr David Cooper (Senior Lecturer, Manchester Metropolitan University)

Doreen Cornthwaite (cousin of Norman Nicholson)

Neil Curry (poet and editor of Norman Nicholson: Collected Poems)

Richard Greer (chair of The Creative Society)

Phil Houghton (poet and writer)

Kathleen Jones (fellow of the Royal Literary Fund and Nicholson’s biographer)

Stuart Maconie (broadcaster and writer)

Eric Robson (broadcaster, writer and farmer)

Rev Clive Shaw (vicar of St George’s Church, Millom)

Cllr Douglas Wilson (Mayor of Millom)

Cllr Felicity Wlson (former Mayor of Millom)

Eric Robson said: “I'm delighted to be a patron of what sounds like a great project."

Stuart Maconie said: “I’m happy to support this. I’m a big fan of Norman Nicholson."

Dr Penny Bradshaw said: “I am very supportive of the Society's endeavours to protect the house as well as their proposals for future development."