Inverclyde is one of HLF's priority areas as it has not come forward with as many heritage projects as other areas of Scotland. To date, HLF has invested over £2 million in 32 projects across the region but there is the potential to untap much more.

Commenting, Head of the Heritage Lottery Fund in Scotland, Colin McLean, explains: "We have funded some extremely successful projects including the Greenock Cut and a recent grant to 'We are Morton' involving members of the Young People's Heritage Forum and Morton Football Club. We would like to encourage new projects to use heritage to unlock other benefits such as regeneration, education and social inclusion. Inverclyde has a great success rate with 94% of projects that come to us being funded. We would be delighted to see more good applications."

In a recent local community survey, the residents of Inverclyde realised the importance of the past and were keen to celebrate it through public works programmes, events and activities. The findings state that 'all of this has the potential to add to our community resilience, our attractiveness to visitors and to benefit the local economy."

Among the HLF visitors to the town were two new Committee members on their first official engagement: Ian Johnson, an expert in strategic planning and heritage management who worked in local Government in the West of Scotland for many years, and economist and town planner Eleanor McAllister OBE, who is currently Managing Director of Urban Regeneration Company (URC), Clydebank Rebuilt.

Ian Johnson, said of the visit:< "This has been an exciting first meeting. It is clear that Inverclyde has potential to use its heritage to make a real difference and I hope our visit will encourage people to think about how they could do that."

Eleanor McAllister, added: "You can tell by speaking to people here that their past is important to them. I look forward to being part of a team that can help protect that strong sense of identity by using the area's unique heritage to build a better future."
 

Notes to editors

Using money raised through the National Lottery, the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) sustains and transforms a wide range of heritage for present and future generations to take part in, learn from and enjoy. from museums, parks and historic places to archaeology, natural environment and cultural traditions, we invest in every part of our diverse heritage. HLF has supported almost 3000 projects, allocating over £500m across Scotland.

Further information

For the Heritage Lottery Fund, please contact Shiona Mackay on: 01786 870 638 / 07779 142 890 or Jon Williams, HLF Press Office on: (020) 7591 6035.