Belper Arts Festival Awarded National Lottery Grant

National Lottery support has been provided for Belper Arts Festival to mark First World War Centenary.

Today Belper Arts Festival has received £4800 from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) for a project, IN WARTIME 1917 –  1922 in Belper.

Made possible by National Lottery players, the project will focus on life in Belper during the last two years of the First World War and the aftermath.

To mark the Centenary of the First World War, the project will enable local people in Belper to come together to preserve the memories and heritage of the people who lived through the First World War. Volunteers will collect photographs, newspaper clippings, documents, letters and photos of keepsakes, as well as family tales passed down to help them build a clear picture of what life was really like between 1917 and 1922.

To date, £94million in HLF grants has been awarded to projects across the UK so they can mark the Centenary and explore all aspects of First World War heritage that matters to them. Through its ‘First World War: then and now’ programme, HLF is making at least £1million available per year for six years until 2019.

Commenting on the award, George Gunby said: “We are thrilled to have received the support of the National Lottery. The funding will enable us with Belper In Wartime to complete the work begun four years ago.”

With help from professionals, the information gathered will be digitally recorded and an on-line interactive archive will be created where everyone can access and contribute information. The archive will allow the public to discuss, contribute, share and research information about the Home Front.

The Heritage Lottery fund said: Thanks to National Lottery players, we invest money to help people across the UK explore, enjoy and protect the heritage they care about – from the archaeology under our feet to the historic parks and buildings we love, from precious memories and collections to rare wildlife.”