Last Tuesday (19th November), the National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF) celebrated its 30th anniversary. This milestone offers a perfect opportunity to reflect on the brilliant ways the Heritage Fund has supported our mission to conserve and celebrate Lincolnshire’s rich heritage.
Since our founding in 1988, the NLHF has been instrumental in enabling our work in building conservation, archaeological fieldwork and more. Whilst it's impossible to list every achievement made possible by their support, here are some standout examples:
Reimagining Greyfriars
With NLHF support, we’ve embarked on the exciting journey of Reimagining Greyfriars - a project which will breathe new life into the Grade II listed building in lower Lincoln.
Thought to be one of the earliest surviving Franciscan friary buildings in western Europe, Greyfriars has an extensive and interesting history, dating back to the 13th Century.
In partnership with City of Lincoln Council, Reimagining Greyfriars will restore and transform the forgotten building into a multifunctional venue space. Work is now underway at Greyfriars and we couldn't be more excited.
To find out more about the Reimagining Greyfriars Project, please click here
Left: Graffiti Survey at Greyfriars, Lincoln. Right: Heritage Open Days at Greyfriars, Lincoln.
Heckington Windmill Regeneration Project
In the small village that our office is based in stands the only surviving operational eight sailed windmill in the world - Heckington Windmill.
In 2004, The Friends of Heckington Windmill embarked on an ambitious and long-term journey, to restore this beautiful building along with the surrounding outbuildings into good working use. This would be further enhanced through developing the site as a visitor attraction and educational offer with interpretation, a community education programme, significant volunteer opportunities and creation of a series of traditional skills course relating to baking and millwrighting.
The group successfully secured a NLHF grant and after a 4-year work programme which commenced in 2014, were able to restore the windmill back to working order. We had the privilege to support the group through development and evaluation.
Heckington Windmill
The Boston Townscape Heritage Project
At the start of 2024 we celebrated the completion of the Boston Townscape Heritage project in partnership with Boston Borough Council. Over the course of 4 years, this initiative revitalised Boston’s historic heart through a series of shopfront schemes, public realm works and community projects.
Thanks to Lottery players, 8 properties in Boston's historic centre were lovingly restored and uplifted, including the iconic Old Chapel and Launchbury's on Pump Square. Public realm improvements along Dolphin Lane included repaving and the co-creation of mosaic artwork by our friends at Transported and local people. The project also provided opportunities to learn and get creative through the Boston Youth Ambassadors Group and the Boston Heritage Skills Festival.
The grant enabled us to support business owners, local contractors and local people to celebrate just how brilliant Boston is.
Left: Launchbury's (12 Pump Square) after receiving a grant from the Boston Townscape Heritage Project. Right: Mosaic artwork co-created by Transported and local people.
Spalding Reconnected
In 2023, NLHF awarded nearly £250,000 for Spalding Reconnected, an initiative that celebrates and promote the unique heritage of Spalding's town centre and riverside.
The ongoing project aims to enhance the experience of the market town for local people and visitors alike, bringing together the rich heritage of the historic centre with the picturesque river Welland through arts, environmental education and improvements, heritage and wayfinding.
Find out more about Spalding Reconnected here
Left: East Mercia Rivers Trust, Eels in the Classroom Programme. Right: Transported Chalk Trail with artist Liz Kelleher.
Heritage Development Trust
We're proud to be a part of the Architectural Heritage Fund's Heritage Development Trust Programme, which has been made possible with support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund. The programme brings together local people to help reimagine the heritage buildings that tell the story of their communities.
Recently, our CEO, Tracy and Learning Manager, Anna, visited Derry, Londonderry for a networking event hosted by Inner City Trust. This programme fosters collaboration and innovation, and we look forward to more team members benefitting from upcoming opportunities.
Heritage Development Trust event in Derry, Londonderry
Thanks to the generous support of National Lottery players over the years, we have been able to conserve and celebrate the rich tapestry of Lincolnshire's heritage above and below ground.
Here’s to 30 incredible years of partnership with NLHF, and to many more years of conserving the stories and sites that make our communities unique. Thank you NLHF for enabling us to continue this vital work.