New National Lottery investment in
First World War Centenary
One year from the Battle of the Somme Centenary, Mike
Hedges AM urges Swansea East
communities to apply for new Heritage Lottery Fund money to explore the
impact of the war
On Tuesday 10th
November, Mike Hedges, AM for Swansea East attended a Senedd event hosted by the
Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF), to find out how people from their constituency can
secure new National Lottery money to help them mark the Centenary of the First World
War.
Following the phenomenal success of its community
grants programme First World War: then and
now, HLF has made an additional £4million available in
2015/16 for communities looking to explore, conserve and share local heritage
of the First World War. Grants are available
between £3,000 to £10,000.
Thanks to National Lottery funding, thousands of young
people and communities throughout Wales have already been involved in
activities marking the Centenary such as: researching and recording local
heritage; conserving and finding out more about war memorials; and using
digital technology to share the fascinating stories they uncover. This
new money will help even more people get involved to explore a greater range of
stories including those surrounding the Battle of the Somme.
Mike said: “The projects and stories I’ve seen here today have
been an inspiration. It’s so important that we remember the impact of
this war one hundred years on. There is still time to apply
for National Lottery money and I would urge anyone in Swansea East with an idea
for their own project to get in touch with HLF.”
Sir Peter Luff, Chair of the HLF, said: “The demand
for National Lottery funding for First World War projects has been phenomenal,
so much so we’ve decided to make extra money available. This will mean
everyone, in particular more young people, can explore the momentous events of
a war that shaped our nation, Europe and the world. Next year marks the
centenary of the Battle of Somme and if groups want support for projects in
2016, they need to start thinking about applying now.”
The event showcased just a
handful of 79 First World War Centenary projects taking place across Wales,
thanks to more than £5million of investment from HLF.
Projects on display showed
the breadth and scale of First World War stories being explored and shared
across the country, including:
- £9,200 to Narberth Museum for the ‘Letters from the Front’ project;
- £10,000 to Head for Arts for a project that is helping young people learn more about how Welsh miners were required to use their skills during the war; and
- £8,000 to Women’s Archive Wales for a project that marked the centenary of 1915 – the year when women were first actively encouraged to undertake work traditionally performed by men.
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