£43million awarded to help communities share skills and learn together
Heritage isn’t just about things and places, it’s about people. The people who care for, share and use heritage. Many of the 16 projects we’ve recently funded at our six March committee meetings – in an investment totalling £43.4m – are about boosting skills to care for heritage and bringing communities together to share and use it.
These activities will also help strengthen the resilience of local heritage organisations and broaden inclusion, access and participation – key principles of our Heritage 2033 strategy.
Hear from a selection of the successful projects across the UK about the difference our funding will make.
Lock 16: a centre of excellence for canals and traditional skills
Scottish Canals has received £3.7m to create a new skills centre on the banks of the Forth and Clyde Canal in Falkirk.
Supervisor Billy King, who worked on the Union Canal for more than 26 years as a specialist in stonemasonry, said: “Over the years I’ve carried out emergency works to historic bridges, locks and chambers. There is a real lack of these traditional skills now; over the years, I have seen the decrease first hand. I am hopeful that Lock 16 will help bring a lot of these skills back. I would encourage anyone thinking about training in these skills to give it a go.”
Saving the Iron Duke
Our £2.4m grant will help the Great Yarmouth Preservation Trust resurrect one of the town’s most storied pubs, involving the community along the way.
The Trust’s Darren Barker MBE said: “Throughout the restoration, there will be a host of events and workshops providing training, volunteering and engagement opportunities for hundreds of people. These will include traditional crafts, food heritage, photography, surveying, historic research and art. The restoration of the Iron Duke has had overwhelming support from the local community and we are so grateful for all the help.”
Find out more about the Iron Duke.
Restoring Tylorstown Welfare Hall
The last remaining miners’ welfare hall in Rhondda Cynon Taff, built in 1933, will continue to serve its community thanks to our £4.7m grant.
Project manager Rebecca Elizabeth Sullivan said: “The Welfare Hall is deeply rooted in our community’s heritage, representing resilience, solidarity and hope. Our goal is to carry out essential renovations that will not only restore its architectural beauty but also expand the hall’s role as a community hub, offering vital services, activities and resources for people of all ages and backgrounds. We want everyone to feel welcome.”
Find out more about Tylorstown Welfare Hall.
Bringing people together at Ashburton Park
Croydon’s 100-year-old Ashburton Park has received £1.6m to restore facilities, support activities at a new Oasis Youth Hub and run local history and environmental projects with the community.
Andy Gill, Oasis Youth and Innovation Lead, said: “This investment is a demonstration of how working with local people can bring about lasting change, improving the life chances of our young people at a time when support is most needed.”
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Explore the difference we want our investment to make for heritage and what we can fund.
