A new partnership has been launched in Pennine Lancashire, which could see local organisations benefit from funding to preserve the area’s rich heritage.
Pennine Lancashire has received priority development status by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF). This means there will be a focus of targeted activity to support local organisations. HLF will be working closely with Regenerate Pennine Lancashire to improve local funding opportunities for public bodies and community groups to improve heritage assets, public knowledge of the area’s history and boost tourism to have a positive impact on the economy.
Places that could benefit from HLF funding include mills, historic places and natural environments. Cultural traditions and stories could also be preserved and promoted. Pennine Lancashire is perhaps best known for its history in the industrial revolution and the historic assets left behind. In addition to these, the funding can support a wide range of community and heritage projects.
Regenerate is a private sector led company owned by each of the Local Authorities in Pennine Lancashire, which means it will be able to refer to wider investment strategies to ensure the funding creates new jobs and opportunities for local people.
Steven Cochrane, Director at Regenerate, said:
“The event today was to help raise awareness of what is available to our partner network, so we can all get the message out that funding and support is available for a wide range of heritage projects in the area.”
Rebecca Mason, Development Officer at the Heritage Lottery Fund, said:
“Pennine Lancashire has an incredibly rich and varied heritage. It is also an area with diverse communities, each of which have their own heritage story to tell. Over the next five years, HLF will be working with groups to explore these stories and find ways to share them widely and keep them alive for future generations.”
The launch was marked with an event on October 1st at the Globe Centre in Accrington. Talks were provided by Rebecca and Stephen Boyle of English Heritage, outlining the various types of funds available from different heritage bodies with funding success stories. Attendees were also given the chance to discuss possible funding opportunities informally with the funding providers.
