Latest news with #EilishMcGuinness
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Yahoo
Solway coastline secures major restoration boost
The Solway coastline in south west Scotland has secured a major funding boost to help with its conservation, restoration and development. It is the first project to secure support through the National Lottery Heritage Fund's (NLHF) £150m Landscape Connections initiative. The Solway Coast and Marine Landscape Connections Project - Scamp for short - will receive £1.4m to shape plans which will help unlock a further £6.4m. It will work with the local community to deliver an extensive programme of habitat restoration right along the Dumfries and Galloway coast. The project is the first of about 20 across the UK which will benefit from the funding aimed at boosting nature recovery, helping rural economies and attracting more visitors. NLHF chief executive Eilish McGuinness said it was the "perfect project" to get things started. "The Solway Firth's rich natural heritage has supported communities along its length since the earliest settlement," she said. "The heritage of millennia of human habitation are reflected in the landscape and history of the people, places and communities. "This will be enhanced with National Lottery player support to deliver large-scale, long-term, meaningful change for the environment and its people, furthering our vision for heritage to be valued, cared for, and sustained for everyone, now and in the future." Dumfries and Galloway Council is leading the Scamp initiative alongside a long list of local partners. Leader Gail MacGregor said: "With a potential total investment of almost £8m from the heritage fund this commitment demonstrates the huge potential of our Solway Coast to become a leading light in coastal and marine nature restoration, playing its part in helping with the nature and climate crisis. "By allowing our coastal and marine environment to thrive we will be bringing opportunities for learning, green jobs, wellbeing and nature-related economic development to our communities." Karen Morley, Scamp programme manager, said it welcomed the funding. "It is rare for a nature restoration project to attract this level of investment over a prolonged period of time," she said. "But it is also essential for this ambitious innovative programme of work to be delivered by ourselves and our partners and ensure we can make a real restorative impact on our Solway land and seascape." The Scamp scheme will be delivered over 10 years including a two-year development phase. Five key habitats will be prioritised - seagrass meadows, native oyster reefs, saltmarsh, coastal woodland and sand dunes. It will also see 120 miles (195km) of new coastal trail created with 10 coastal "gateway" sites enhanced. Panels along the coast and trails will allow people to learn more about the Solway Firth and the surrounding area. How Solway seaweed rum came out of Covid job cuts
BBC News
4 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Solway coastline secures major restoration boost
The Solway coastline in south west Scotland has secured a major funding boost to help with its conservation, restoration and is the first project to secure support through the National Lottery Heritage Fund's (NLHF) £150m Landscape Connections Solway Coast and Marine Landscape Connections Project - Scamp for short - will receive £1.4m to shape plans which will help unlock a further £ will work with the local community to deliver an extensive programme of habitat restoration right along the Dumfries and Galloway coast. The project is the first of about 20 across the UK which will benefit from the funding aimed at boosting nature recovery, helping rural economies and attracting more chief executive Eilish McGuinness said it was the "perfect project" to get things started."The Solway Firth's rich natural heritage has supported communities along its length since the earliest settlement," she said."The heritage of millennia of human habitation are reflected in the landscape and history of the people, places and communities."This will be enhanced with National Lottery player support to deliver large-scale, long-term, meaningful change for the environment and its people, furthering our vision for heritage to be valued, cared for, and sustained for everyone, now and in the future." Dumfries and Galloway Council is leading the Scamp initiative alongside a long list of local Gail MacGregor said: "With a potential total investment of almost £8m from the heritage fund this commitment demonstrates the huge potential of our Solway Coast to become a leading light in coastal and marine nature restoration, playing its part in helping with the nature and climate crisis."By allowing our coastal and marine environment to thrive we will be bringing opportunities for learning, green jobs, wellbeing and nature-related economic development to our communities." Karen Morley, Scamp programme manager, said it welcomed the funding."It is rare for a nature restoration project to attract this level of investment over a prolonged period of time," she said."But it is also essential for this ambitious innovative programme of work to be delivered by ourselves and our partners and ensure we can make a real restorative impact on our Solway land and seascape." The Scamp scheme will be delivered over 10 years including a two-year development key habitats will be prioritised - seagrass meadows, native oyster reefs, saltmarsh, coastal woodland and sand dunes. It will also see 120 miles (195km) of new coastal trail created with 10 coastal "gateway" sites along the coast and trails will allow people to learn more about the Solway Firth and the surrounding area.
Yahoo
26-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Historic steam locomotive returns after £1.2m restoration
A historic wartime steam locomotive has returned to Hampshire after a 14-year restoration. The Bulleid engine, 35005 Canadian Pacific, was built in 1941 in Eastleigh and played a crucial role during World War Two. After falling into disrepair, it has now been restored by staff and volunteers at The Watercress Line. The locomotive was officially launched on Wednesday, March 19, at Alresford Station, where it was met with applause from a crowd of VIP guests, Watercress Line staff and volunteers. READ MORE: New rail service could bring trains to the Waterside 35005 Canadian Pacific Unveiled (Image: Guests included Robert Fry, deputy high commissioner for Canada in the United Kingdom and Eilish McGuinness, chief executive of The National Lottery Heritage Fund. The restoration of Canadian Pacific was achieved with the help of more than 10,000 hours of work and £1,254,400 in funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Rebecca Dalley, chief executive of The Watercress Line, said: "The story of 35005 Canadian Pacific is one of resilience and hope in the teeth of adversity. "The launch was a fitting testament to the enormous endeavour of our volunteers, staff and funders and I am delighted that their perseverance was recognised with such a wonderful day." Robert Fry, deputy high commissioner for Canada in the United Kingdom, said: "It is an honour to celebrate the launch of the newly restored 35005 Canadian Pacific. "The locomotive, which has been beautifully restored to its full glory, reminds us all of the importance of working together as a force for good in an increasingly polarised world." Among the crowd at the launch was Debra Asher, whose mother and grandmother helped build Canadian Pacific at Eastleigh Works. She said: "We weren't aware of my mum's or nan's involvement in the railway industry until we were contacted by The Watercress Line as part of their research project searching for the women who built Canadian Pacific. "I am so proud of their achievements contributing to this fascinating time in history and I'm really excited to see the locomotive they helped to build back in action."
