23rd November 2019
This week is a big milestone for The National Lottery as they’re celebrating their 25th anniversary and have launched their Thanks to You campaign to mark the occasion!
At Heritage Lincolnshire we are one of many UK community organisations that gain crucial funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Money from this fund is obtained from a percentage of lottery tickets bought by National Lottery players.
Since the first lottery draw took place on 19th November 1994, The National Lottery Heritage Fund has invested more than £8 billion to support over 44,000 projects across the UK.
We have been involved in a number of these projects, and over the last 10 years we have benefited from £3.49 million of funding. The funds have been used to help restore neglected historic buildings and sites across the country to unlock their economic potential and improve communities.
“I was one of those Members of Parliament who pressed enthusiastically for the creation of a National Lottery and was delighted when Prime Minister John Major responded so positively to our campaign.
“It is no exaggeration to say that nothing has ever done more to promote and secure our heritage of buildings,and the cultural life of this country in general than the National Lottery, and Heritage Lincolnshire is one of many charities in our county that has benefited enormously from the enlightened generosity and support it has received from the Lottery. Long may it flourish and long may it help us to sustain Lincolnshire’s priceless heritage.”
Lord Cormack, President of Heritage Lincolnshire.
The Old King’s Head in Kirton near Boston, Lincolnshire is one of the projects funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund which has committed £1,987,300 towards the cost of this £2.4 million project.
Thanks to the funding, we have been able to bring this historic building back to life by transforming it into a luxury B&B, café, deli and community space for the enjoyment of the public which will open in the spring of 2020.
The Thanks to You campaign celebrates the extraordinary impact that National Lottery players have had on the lives of people and communities throughout the UK by contributing millions of pounds to good causes every week.
The National Lottery Heritage Fund has contributed to several of our projects including our Layers of History project, the Townscape Heritage Scheme and the Landscape Partnerships project, and the funding is also channelled directly into our volunteer groups.
Through our Layers of History project, across eight study sites we’ve delivered a staggering 90 workshops, recruited 230 volunteers and taught 180 pupils across six schools, providing unique learning experiences to develop the skills, knowledge and tools needed to interpret and record Lincolnshire’s landscape.
The Boston Hanse Group – a volunteer group in Boston – has also received funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund which has been used to complete our community archaeological dig in Boston.
Eight different schools, numerous cub and scout groups and two adult learning disability groups attended the dig and we gave them the opportunity to learn new skills and meet new people while uncovering the medieval past of Boston.
Playing the National Lottery is not the only great way to support the work we do to conserve Lincolnshire’s heritage; becoming a member of Heritage Lincolnshire helps us to continue what we do and make a real difference to the local community.
We’d like to take this opportunity to say a massive thank you to those of you who play the lottery and to The National Lottery for helping us to conserve and enhance the rich heritage of Lincolnshire for the benefit of our community.
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