The National Lottery Heritage Fund is a pool of money derived from a portion of your lottery ticket. It funnels this money into projects which use heritage to connect with, empower and improve communities. One of these projects is known as the Landscape Partnerships.
A Landscape Partnership is a project that specifically focuses on the countryside and rural communities. The project is often run by a combination of groups working together such as statutory agencies, local authorities, charities and community organisations. The project has two different focuses; conservation and restoration, and community participation in local heritage, access and learning, and training in local traditional skills. The scheme is broken down into a number of distinct projects, all located within the selected landscape which will be defined by a unique character.
One example that Heritage Lincolnshire has been working with is the Isle of Axholme and Hatfield Chase Landscape Partnership. This scheme is focused on the land between Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire and is aimed at helping reconnect with their landscape.
It has been divided into 16 distinct projects. Heritage Lincolnshire has been tasked with delivering ‘Presenting the Past’ where we seek to help people in the parishes of Belton, Haxey and Owston Ferry to investigate their archaeological heritage.
Click here to view this video to hear our Community Archaeological Lydia Hendry talk about our work guiding people through digging test pits in Belton!
If you play the National Lottery, you have helped pay for this project which so far has seen:
- 13km of footpaths, bridleways and cycle routes created, improved or maintained connecting local communities in the area.
- The delivery of 25 new interpretation features and digital products created to increase understanding and awareness.
- 829ha of biodiversity and landscape areas have been enhanced and maintained.
- 11 interviews capturing and documenting local heritage memories.
- 671 participants involved in 243 learning, training and participation activities.
- 3 places of built and industrial heritage restored.
- 2 significant pieces of infrastructure to improve access and enjoyment.
- 1,700 days or 8 years full time working from over 300 volunteers!
…and we are only halfway through!
Thank you for supporting such a widespread and lasting project!