The UK’s Heritage Lottery Fund is making an extra £4 million available for community projects exploring, conserving and sharing local heritage of the First World War.
Culture Secretary John Whittingdale made the announcement at an event in London on July 1st 2015, marking one year until the 100th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme.
As already reported in Centenary News, Mr Whittingdale also announced an online ticket ballot for people wanting to attend the Somme centenary commemorations at Thiepval in 2016.
Sir Peter Luff, Chair of the Heritage Lottery Fund (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 in particular that 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 HLF says that thanks to National Lottery funding, thousands of young people and communities throughout the UK have already been involved in activities marking the Centenary.
These include researching and recording local heritage; conserving and finding out more about war memorials; and using digital technology to share the stories uncovered.
The £4m is available through HLF’s First World War: then and now programme which launched in 2013 and will run until 2019. It forms part of UK Government’s Centenary programme and provides grants of £3,000 – £10,000 to local community projects.
Sources: Heritage Lottery Fund; UK Government
Images courtesy of Department for Culture, Media & Sport
Posted by: Peter Alhadeff, Centenary News