Press release -
Heritage Lottery Fund awards £9,800 to Rochdale Borough Council to mark First World War Centenary
Rochdale Borough Council, in partnership with Link4Life, has received £9,800 from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) for a project, Gone But Not Forgotten awarded through its First World War: then and now programme. The project will encourage and help the local community to commemorate and explore the impact of the First World War on Rochdale borough.
Gone But Not Forgotten will encourage communities to share their stories from the First World War. Using the collections of the Arts & Heritage Service alongside re-enactment and cinema screenings, families will be encouraged to share their stories at community events across the borough. One important part of this project will be re-enactment activities at Hollingworth Lake in commemoration of the soldiers that were billeted there prior to embarking for Gallipoli.
The legacy of Gone But Not Forgotten will create a permanent archive of people’s memories and stories from the First World War in the borough’s Local Studies and Archives collection. This project has come about through the partnership between Rochdale Borough Council, Armed Forces Covenant, the Arts & Heritage Service of Link4Life, Lancashire Veterans Association and Community Groups
Volunteers will collect photographs, newspaper clippings, documents, letters and photos of keepsakes, as well as family tales passed down to help them build a clear picture of what life was really like.
With help from professionals, the information gathered will be digitally recorded and an online interactive archive will be created where everyone can access and contribute information. The archive will allow the public to discuss, contribute, share and research information about the Home Front.
Commenting on the award, Councillor Alan McCarthy, Rochdale Borough Council’s Lead Member for the Armed Forces, said: “We are thrilled to have received the support of the Heritage Lottery Fund. This important archive will help preserve the memories and history of the borough’s involvement in the First World War and serve as a fitting commemoration to all those who played their part in the war or on the home front.”
Sara Hilton, Head of HLF North West, 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 is investing in projects just like Gone But Not Forgotten so that communities, and in particular young people, can explore and broaden their understanding of how this conflict has shaped our modern world.”
Talking about how people can take part in the project, Link4Life’s Julian Jefferson said: “We will be hosting a series of First World War films on the high definition cinema screen at Middleton Arena and will also be setting up events in local libraries and community venues to ask families to bring in their archives for us to copy and record. We are looking forward to working with the communities of the borough to create a permanent legacy that will be available as a valuable learning resource to future generations.”
The council signed the Armed Forces Community Covenant in 2012 – a statement of support between a civilian community and its Armed Forces community. But actions speak much louder, and Rochdale has been nationally recognised by the Ministry of Defence, Royal British Legion and others for introducing pioneering changes to better support armed forces personnel and their families back into civilian life.
For more information visit www.rochdale.gov.uk/armedforces
Anyone who has family memories that they would like to share as part of this project can register their interest by emailing localstudies@link4life.org or ringing 01706 924915. Details of this and other First World War events can be found on Rochdale Council’s website at www.rochdale.gov.uk/events.
Topics
- Library, Museum
Categories
- rochdale council
- rochdale
- world war one
- great war
- pennines
- middleton
- heywood
- heritage lottery fund
- gone but not forgotten
- first world war
Regions
- Greater Manchester
Notes to editors
For
further information, images and interviews, please contact
Linda Fisher Acting Chief
Executive and lead officer for the Armed Forces or Julian Jefferson, Link4Life,
Head of Arts & Heritage 01706 924916 julian.jefferson@link4life.org
Andrew Bradwell, External Funding Manager, 01706 925605 or email andrew.bradwell@Rochdale.gov.uk
About the Heritage Lottery Fund
Using money raised through the National Lottery, the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) aims to make a lasting difference for heritage, people and communities across the UK and help build a resilient heritage economy. 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 36,000 projects with more than £6bn across the UK. www.hlf.org.uk. Follow us on twitter @heritagelottery #understandingWW1
HLF-funded First World War projects include:
First World War Centenary Project, IWM London
An HLF grant of £4.5m is transforming IWM London (part of Imperial War Museums) by creating new ground-breaking First World War Galleries.
Flintham Society – Keeping the Home Fires Burning?
Keep the Homes Fires Burning? is a community history project looking at the impact of the First World War on life in the Nottinghamshire village of Flintham.
Tank Museum – Access all Areas, Dorset
Holding the world’s finest tank and armoured vehicle collection, The Tank Museum is a popular visitor attraction in the heart of Dorset. HLF’s grant is being used to house 130 ‘at risk’ vehicles, putting the entire collection indoors for the first time.
Through its First World War: then and now programme, HLF is making at least £1million available per year for six years until 2019. It will provide grants between £3,000 and £10,000 enabling communities and 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.
To find out how to apply for funding visit 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 HLF through its open programmes www.hlf.org.uk/firstworldwar
UK Government Centenary plans
In June 2013, the Government set out its plans to mark the centenaries of the First World War commencing in 2014. These plans include a £35m refurbishment of the First World War galleries at the Imperial War Museum (IWM); The Government’s principal partners in the commemorations will be the Heritage Lottery Fund and the IWM, but will encompass support for a multitude of other initiatives, large and small, as they come together in the months and years to come.
Head to rochdale.gov.uk
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