The National Lottery Heritage Fund launches groundbreaking 10-year investment initiative, Heritage Places, to inspire communities, revitalise economies and build pride in place.
Medway places heritage at the heart of the development of the historic towns of Strood, Rochester, Chatham, Gillingham, and Rainham, through its natural landscapes and rich maritime history, and driving the visitor economy through creative tourism initiatives.
Place-based heritage projects will transform towns, cities and landscapes by 2033 thanks to players of The National Lottery.
Today (Monday, 9 October), The National Lottery Heritage Fund is starting a 10-year journey with Medway that will transform the area’s heritage, through its new Heritage Places initiative. Medway is one of the first nine places set to benefit from a share of £200m targeted to unlock the potential of their heritage.
Medway offers outstanding natural landscapes and a rich naval and military history. This announcement and long-term investment in heritage will add to the area’s track-record of implementing successful heritage initiatives.
Building on almost 30 years of experience, research and learning from the largest funder of the UK’s heritage, Heritage Places will provide early funding to engage communities and develop partnerships which unlock possibilities from the heritage on their doorstep.
It will seek out opportunities that have the potential to draw in and benefit from wider investment and support new projects and collaborations helping to address issues such as regeneration, sustainability and employment. Centred on the unique heritage of a place, Heritage Places is set to ignite people’s imagination, inspiration and build pride in place by connecting the past with the future.
Responsive to specific local needs, the initiative encourages a holistic approach and will bring heritage, cultural, community and civic organisations together to combine their knowledge, experience, and investment to transform heritage.
From an iconic city centre street to green spaces and seaside towns, the first nine of 20 Heritage Places across the UK are: Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon; County Durham; Glasgow; Leicester; Medway; Neath Port Talbot; North East Lincolnshire; Stoke-on-Trent; and Torbay.
A further 11 Heritage Places will be considered as part of the development of the Heritage Fund’s next three-year delivery plan, making a total of 20.
Create positive and lasting change
Stuart McLeod, Director of England – London and South at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “At the Heritage Fund, we believe in the power of heritage to create positive and lasting change, now and in the future. We also believe that working at scale in an area can deliver profound impact for its local community, visitors and economy. That’s why we’re thrilled to announce Medway as one of our chosen Heritage Places. This will see a sustained and targeted 10-year investment in heritage that has the potential to be transformational for the Medway towns.”
Long-term investment
Taryn Nixon, Chair of England – London & South at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “This is the beginning of an exciting ten year journey. We’re announcing the first 20 Heritage Places across the UK, including Medway, for targeted investment and support to help realise the potential of the heritage in this part of Kent. What is especially exciting for the Heritage Fund is that this is long-term investment, working in partnership for lasting regeneration, and responding directly to local needs and opportunities. We hope this new approach will inspire even more local groups and authorities to bring people together around their heritage and that it will secure their pride in these significant places.”
Immensely proud of Medway’s rich heritage
Cllr Harinder Mahil, Medway Council’s Portfolio Holder for Heritage, Culture and Leisure, said: “We are over the moon that Medway has been selected as one of the nine Heritage Places to benefit from The National Lottery Heritage funding. We are immensely proud of Medway’s rich heritage and are convinced of the power of investment in heritage to lead to extraordinary change, with a prime example being the cultural regeneration that transformed the former site of the Chatham Dockyard since its closure in 1984 as well as the significant restoration and heritage engagement work underway in historic Chatham Intra.
“As well as further enhancements to Medway’s heritage, we want to use this opportunity to engage Medway’s communities, breaking down barriers, encouraging them to celebrate their stories and helping them have a meaningful and long-lasting impact on their surroundings and the future history of Medway.
“We look forward to working with the Heritage Fund and with communities across Medway to maximise the benefits arising from this hugely important initiative.”
Heritage as the foundation for change
Eilish McGuinness, Chief Executive, The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “Heritage is as much about the future as it is the past. With the 10-year sustained investment offered by Heritage Places, the areas announced today can be sure that we will work with communities and partners to target place-based investment that boosts pride in place, connects communities with heritage, and takes confident strides forward using heritage as the foundation for change.”
Heritage Places is one of the long-term initiatives The National Lottery Heritage Fund will be introducing as part of its new 10-year strategy, Heritage 2033, to help address the challenges heritage faces and increase the contribution it makes to people and places.
https://www.medway.gov.uk/news/article/1555/medway_included_in_200m_commitment_launched_by_the_national_lottery_heritage_fund_to_help_areas_across_the_uk_thrive
