The Two Nicks, saviours of Fort Paull, announce a ten-year lease, securing the historic site’s future after a successful first year.
Last year, they started a funding campaign. Their goal is to save and fix up Fort Paull, an old artillery battery that was overgrown. They held events in 2024 to raise money. These events also helped to get people interested.
The Two Nicks have big plans for this year. They’re planning many events, including a car rally, and will even host a Christmas market later. They’re excited about how things are progressing and are now showing their long-term commitment. They shared news on the Fort Paull Facebook page. Initially, they had a short lease for the site, needing to see if this project was a mistake.
The public’s reaction has been very positive, with events having great attendance last year. With many events scheduled for the 2025 season, they decided to sign a ten-year lease. They believe they are the right people for the job, with a strong team and public support. Nick Taylor used to be in the Royal Marines and became the temporary caretaker in 2023.
The owner, Brian Rushworth, gave permission for Nick Moore to help keep Fort Paull open. He wanted to preserve it as a heritage site. The ten-year lease provides future security allowing long-term planning. They have about eleven events booked this year, better than they had hoped, and re-enactments are coming back.
Nick wants more events and variety at Fort Paull. He hopes they can bring back big museum pieces, aiming to make things bigger and better. Their goal is to sustain the fort for many years. Right now, the site is a bit empty, a chance to start fresh, bringing in items for kids, hoping they will get into history.
He hopes the fort will continue after they are gone, remaining active in 30 or 40 years. Immediate needs involve preserving the site and they urgently need help with the roofs. Specifically, they need someone to give them a quote so they can then apply for a grant to fix the roofs. Alternatively, someone can do the work, and they will pay, as they need to secure the building’s structure.
Fort Paull was built in the 1500s on the Humber, and it closed in January 2020. The owner wanted to turn it into a caravan park, but the East Riding Council turned down the request. The Two Nicks said the public’s reaction was great, as people missed the historical site in the area. They hope to save it for future generations.