Communities urged to apply for funding

Berwick MP Anne-Marie Trevelyan has already written to town and parish councils to urge them to make a bid and she is now calling on the rest of her constituents to consider applying for community projects to explore the continuing legacy of the 1914 to 1918 conflict.

HLF is making at least £1million a year available until 2019 as part of the First World War: then and now programme for small, community grants.

It provides 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.

Mrs Trevelyan is encouraging residents to think about how they would like to mark the centenary.

Successful projects will include: 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.

Anne-Marie said: “I’m delighted that the HLF 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 Northumberland 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 HLF.”

Ivor Crowther, head of HLF in the North East, said: “The then and now 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.”

If a group has a project idea to mark the centenary, 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.