Latest news with #TheNationalLotteryHeritageFund
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Thousands of trees to be planted near Exeter
Up to 3,000 trees are to be planted on the outskirts of Exeter, according to East Devon District Council. Broadclyst and Poltimore have been chosen for the project, with a funding boost from The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Volunteers have already planted the first 150 trees, forming a new hedgerow at Clyst Meadows Country Park, near Broadclyst Station. The project team is now looking for more land in Broadclyst and Poltimore to complete the planting. More news stories for Devon Listen to the latest news for Devon Once complete, a total of up to one hectare (2.5 acres) of native trees and 600 metres (1,970 ft) of new hedgerow will be planted. Councillor Paula Fernley said: "More trees mean more biodiversity, more shade and shelter, and better resilience to climate change. It's also brilliant for wellbeing." The trees are to be grown locally by volunteers at the Saving Devon's Treescapes Broadclyst Tree Nursery using seeds collected from the area. Saving Devon's Treescapes is a four-year project led by Devon Wildlife Trust and supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund. It aims to plant and nurture 250,000 trees outside traditional woodland settings across Devon by 2026. Michael Rogers, project manager at Saving Devon's Treescapes, added: "Even if we don't always notice it, most of us have seen the impact of ash dieback – from isolated trees to whole woodlands losing their canopy. "But we now have new trees growing in their place, thanks to local volunteers who have nurtured saplings from Broadclyst seed." Follow BBC Devon on X, Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to spotlight@ Plymouth tree felling fiasco cost more than £3.3m Thousands of trees planted to create rainforest East Devon District Council Devon Wildlife Trust The National Lottery Fund
The Herald Scotland
5 days ago
- General
- The Herald Scotland
Tomb of the Eagles to be reopened to public after huge funding boost
But now community campaigners who have been working to have it reopened say they have 'the final piece of the puzzle' to take it into community ownership and reopen it to visitors. Dramatically located at the top of South Ronaldsay cliffs, the Tomb of the Eagles dates back 5,000 years to the late Stone Age. When it was discovered, it contained 30 human skulls – and the remains of at least 14 Sea eagles – giving the burial site its name. Community campaigners have secured £101,607 support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund to press ahead with their plans and buy the site. The entrance to the tomb (Image: NQ) The news comes just a few weeks after South Ronaldsay and Burray Development Trust announced they had secured Scottish Land Fund investment. Ruth Owen, Chair of the South Ronaldsay and Burray Development Trust said: 'We are delighted at the award of just over £100,000 to the Development Trust for the purposes of reopening the Tomb of the Eagles. 'Not only does this provide essential funding that will bridge the final budget gap required to acquire the site, but importantly it provides the necessary match funding to set up staffing next year, for our first full season. 'This really is the final piece of the funding jigsaw to acquire and re-establish the site, and we can now say with confidence that the Tomb of the Eagles will reopen to the public. We would like to thank the National Lottery players and indeed all our funding partners for giving the community this opportunity.' READ MORE: Fundraising drive could see doors reopen at 'much-loved' Neolithic tomb New 3D model shows what ancient site looked like 6,000 years ago Caroline Clark, The National Lottery Heritage Fund Director for Scotland said: 'Our support will enable community ownership and management of the Tomb of the Eagles, meaning locals and visitors from across the world can once more experience an important part of Orkney's incredible heritage while directly benefitting the local community. 'It is a wonderful new chapter for a very precious place which has been part of South Ronaldsay's story for 5,000 years.' (l-r) Ruth Owen, Chair, South Ronaldsay & Burray Development Trust (SRBT), Freda Norquay, Owner, and Steve Sankey, Chair, SRBDT Tomb of the Eagles Community Development Group (Image: National Lottery Fund) The site has been in the care of and for many years was operated by a local family, the Simisons, who have worked with and supported the South Ronaldsay and Burray Development Trust to deliver the ambition of the community buyout and reopening Tomb of the Eagles. Freda Norquay of the Simison Partnership, the current owners of the site, added: 'We are so pleased that the Tomb will now reopen and forge its future under community ownership and feel that this is a fitting reflection of the Simison legacy. It is a way forward that we fully support, and we believe that our parents, Ronnie and Morgan Simison would have endorsed. Kathleen MacLeod, from the Simison Partnership added: 'We can't thank people like Joe Horrocks, Steve Sankey and Cameron Taylor enough for the hours that they have put in on this project, and all the support shown from the local community.
The National
5 days ago
- Business
- The National
Orkney's 5000-year-old Tomb of the Eagles to re-open after £101k grant
Located at the top of South Ronaldsay cliffs, the Tomb of the Eagles is a stone age sites and a key feature of Orkney's ancient archaeology. It was forced to close to visitors as a result of the pandemic and subsequent retirement of the owners. Local campaigners have been working , and with the support of the family that owns the site, to take it into community ownership and reopen it to visitors. Now they have secured £101,607 support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund. READ MORE: Re-opening date announced for independent Scottish cinema forced to close doors The news comes just a few weeks after South Ronaldsay and Burray Development Trust announced they had secured Scottish Land Fund investment. 'Final piece to the puzzle' The Tomb of the Eagles, or Isbister Chambered Cairn, is a Neolithic chambered tomb located on a cliff edge at Isbister on South Ronaldsay. The community are seeking to "improve the visitor centre, renovate the museum displays, shop and toilet facilities, and provide a snack and hot drinks service" as well as upgrade the pathways around the site. The site has been in the care of and for many years was operated by a local family, the Simisons. They have worked with and supported the South Ronaldsay and Burray Development Trust to deliver the ambition of the community reopening Tomb of the Eagles. Freda Norquay of the Simison Partnership, the current owners of the site, said: 'We are so pleased that the Tomb will now reopen and forge its future under community ownership and feel that this is a fitting reflection of the Simison legacy. It is a way forward that we fully support, and we believe that our parents, Ronnie and Morgan Simison would have endorsed." READ MORE: Scottish port receives £24 million in funding to expand dock Kathleen MacLeod, also from the Simison Partnership, added: 'We can't thank people like Joe Horrocks, Steve Sankey and Cameron Taylor enough for the hours that they have put in on this project, and all the support shown from the local community. The National Lottery Heritage Fund award is the icing on the cake, and it is wonderful that the Tomb will now reopen after all these years.' Ruth Owen, chair of the South Ronaldsay and Burray Development Trust, said: 'We are delighted at the award of just over £100,000 to the Development Trust for the purposes of reopening the Tomb of the Eagles. Not only does this provide essential funding that will bridge the final budget gap required to acquire the site, but importantly it provides the necessary match funding to set up staffing next year, for our first full season. 'This really is the final piece of the funding jigsaw to acquire and re-establish the site, and we can now say with confidence that the Tomb of the Eagles will reopen to the public. We would like to thank the National Lottery players and indeed all our funding partners for giving the community this opportunity.' Caroline Clark, The National Lottery Heritage Fund director for Scotland, said: 'Our support will enable community ownership and management of the Tomb of the Eagles, meaning locals and visitors from across the world can once more experience an important part of Orkney's incredible heritage while directly benefitting the local community. 'It is a wonderful new chapter for a very precious place which has been part of South Ronaldsay's story for 5000 years.'
The National
5 days ago
- Business
- The National
Orkney's 5000-year-old Tomb of the Eagles to reopen after £101k grant
Located at the top of South Ronaldsay cliffs, the Tomb of the Eagles is a stone age sites and a key feature of Orkney's ancient archaeology. It was forced to close to visitors as a result of the pandemic and subsequent retirement of the owners. Local campaigners have been working , and with the support of the family that owns the site, to take it into community ownership and reopen it to visitors. Now they have secured £101,607 support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund. READ MORE: Re-opening date announced for independent Scottish cinema forced to close doors The news comes just a few weeks after South Ronaldsay and Burray Development Trust announced they had secured Scottish Land Fund investment. 'Final piece to the puzzle' The Tomb of the Eagles, or Isbister Chambered Cairn, is a Neolithic chambered tomb located on a cliff edge at Isbister on South Ronaldsay. The community are seeking to "improve the visitor centre, renovate the museum displays, shop and toilet facilities, and provide a snack and hot drinks service" as well as upgrade the pathways around the site. The site has been in the care of and for many years was operated by a local family, the Simisons. They have worked with and supported the South Ronaldsay and Burray Development Trust to deliver the ambition of the community reopening Tomb of the Eagles. Freda Norquay of the Simison Partnership, the current owners of the site, said: 'We are so pleased that the Tomb will now reopen and forge its future under community ownership and feel that this is a fitting reflection of the Simison legacy. It is a way forward that we fully support, and we believe that our parents, Ronnie and Morgan Simison would have endorsed." READ MORE: Scottish port receives £24 million in funding to expand dock Kathleen MacLeod, also from the Simison Partnership, added: 'We can't thank people like Joe Horrocks, Steve Sankey and Cameron Taylor enough for the hours that they have put in on this project, and all the support shown from the local community. The National Lottery Heritage Fund award is the icing on the cake, and it is wonderful that the Tomb will now reopen after all these years.' Ruth Owen, chair of the South Ronaldsay and Burray Development Trust, said: 'We are delighted at the award of just over £100,000 to the Development Trust for the purposes of reopening the Tomb of the Eagles. Not only does this provide essential funding that will bridge the final budget gap required to acquire the site, but importantly it provides the necessary match funding to set up staffing next year, for our first full season. 'This really is the final piece of the funding jigsaw to acquire and re-establish the site, and we can now say with confidence that the Tomb of the Eagles will reopen to the public. We would like to thank the National Lottery players and indeed all our funding partners for giving the community this opportunity.' Caroline Clark, The National Lottery Heritage Fund director for Scotland, said: 'Our support will enable community ownership and management of the Tomb of the Eagles, meaning locals and visitors from across the world can once more experience an important part of Orkney's incredible heritage while directly benefitting the local community. 'It is a wonderful new chapter for a very precious place which has been part of South Ronaldsay's story for 5000 years.'
Powys County Times
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Powys County Times
Sidney Nolan Trust wins Lottery Heritage Fund grant
The Sidney Nolan Trust has been awarded £244,849 by The National Lottery Heritage Fund. The rural arts charity will use the grant to develop a masterplan for their historic sites. The funding will support strategic planning, audience consultation, building surveys, and pilot activities over the next 12 months. These initiatives will contribute to a masterplan aimed at increasing access and audience engagement, as well as realising the potential of the trust's two sites. The project will cover both the charity's heritage locations in the Welsh Marches: The Rodd, near Presteigne, in north Herefordshire, and the Bleddfa Centre, near Knighton, in Powys. These sites are integral to the local rural identity and heritage, connecting the England-Wales Borders to the world through art and agricultural histories. They also preserve and provide access to important natural habitats and offer engagement and participation opportunities in some of the most rural wards of England and Wales. The Rodd is a 400-plus-year-old estate and working farm in the Hindwell river valley, spanning 180 acres of farmland, woodland, river frontage, and gardens. At its heart is the Grade II* listed Jacobean Rodd Court and several 18th-century timber-framed barn structures, including the Grade II-listed West Barn. Rodd Court has been home to artists for over a century and became the final home of leading Australian artist Sir Sidney Nolan CBE RA (1917-1992) in 1983. The trust, founded by Nolan in 1985, looks after and makes accessible the largest collection of his artwork outside of Australia. The Bleddfa Centre, founded in 1974 in the remote village of Bleddfa by pioneering theatre director James Roose Evans, comprises community art, social, and event spaces across the former village schoolhouse and converted Hall Barn. Sophie Heath, director of the Sidney Nolan Trust, said: "It is wonderful to have received this hugely valued support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund. "Thanks to National Lottery players, we can take on the challenge of establishing an inclusive, thriving future for our unique places that provide access to inspiring heritage, nature, and creativity in our rural region." The support from the Heritage Fund will enable the Sidney Nolan Trust to bring in the resources and diverse expertise needed to plan strategically and sensitively to secure the future of these sites. Without this work, there is a significant risk to the long-term caretaking of this complex and large-scale heritage and landscape. The funding also protects and enhances the increased access and participation of regional audiences, addressing an acute need. The communities of north Herefordshire and Radnorshire in Powys are among the 50 per cent most deprived in the UK and face some of the worst indices nationally of geographical deprivation due to lack of access to services. The project will better protect and make more accessible the important built heritage and landscape the trust looks after through a wide range of expert building and land surveys, a feasibility report, and architectural visualisations. Staff and volunteers will receive training in species identification and surveys, and the monitoring of flora and fauna will establish baseline understanding and priorities for the future ecological management and improvement of the charity's varied habitats. There will be events and activities taking place throughout the project at The Rodd, the Bleddfa Centre, and online. The trust is looking for volunteers across a wide range of activities to get involved and support the project delivery.
