8 August 2013
Peter Aldous MP urges constituents to consider applying to the Heritage Lottery Fund for community projects to learn more about the First World War.

A year before we mark the centenary of the UK entering the First World War, Heritage Lottery Fund is making at least £1 million a year available until 2019 as part of the First World War: then and now programme for small, community grants. It will provide grants of £3,000 to £10,000 enabling groups right across the UK to explore, conserve and share their First World War heritage and deepen their understanding of the impact of the conflict.

Aldous urges constituents to think about getting involved in the following projects to mark the Centenary:-

  • researching, identifying and recording local heritage;

  • creating a community archive or collection;

  • developing new interpretation of heritage through exhibitions, trails, smartphone apps etc;

  • researching, writing and performing creative material based on heritage sources;

  • conserving and finding out more about war memorials.



Mr Aldous said:

“I’m delighted that the Heritage Lottery Fund is making this money available to local communities. Like many areas across the UK, the impact of the First World War on the people of Waveney was extensive. For those who want to find out more about its legacy or who wish to mark the Centenary, I would urge them to get in touch with Heritage Lottery Fund.”

Dame Jenny Abramsky, Chair of HLF, said:

“The impact of the First World War was far reaching, touching and shaping every corner of the UK and beyond. The Heritage Lottery Fund’s new programme will enable communities to explore the continuing legacy of this war and help young people in particular to broaden their understanding of how it has shaped our modern world.”

The Heritage Lottery Fund has invested over £15 million in projects to mark the Centenary of First World War. If a group have a project idea to mark the Centenary of the First World War, an online application pack is available at http://www.hlf.org.uk/ThenAndNow. If a group needs a grant of more than £10,000 for a First World War project, it can apply to the Heritage Lottery Fund through its open programmes.