Torbay amongst the first 'Heritage Places' announced by The National Lottery Heritage Fund
The National Lottery Heritage Fund launches ground-breaking 10-year investment initiative, Heritage Places, to inspire communities, revitalise economies and build pride in place.
Torbay is one of nine places, from city centres to coastal landscapes, to be the first to benefit from funding through a pioneering approach.
Today, The National Lottery Heritage Fund is starting a 10-year journey that will transform heritage in areas across the UK, through its new Heritage Places initiative. From Glasgow to Torbay, nine places are the first set to benefit from a share of £200m targeted to unlock the potential of their heritage.
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 history 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, offer joy and 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.
Eilish McGuinness, Chief Executive, The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “We want heritage to be valued, cared for and sustained for everyone, now and in the future. For the last 30 years, the Heritage Fund has invested in heritage making better places for communities to live, work and visit. Our Heritage Places builds on this and is designed to support in challenging times, to achieve even greater impact, and commits our funding for the long-term. Celebrating and preserving our history, architecture, landscape and culture is not just important for its own sake, it plays a vital role in connecting communities, bringing joy and supporting economic regeneration. I am delighted to launch the Heritage Places initiative which wouldn’t be possible without the continued support of National Lottery players.”
From an iconic city centre street to coastal 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.
Eilish McGuinness, Chief Executive, The National Lottery Heritage Fund, continues: “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.”
Stuart McLeod, Director of England - London & 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 Torbay 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 Torbay.”
Martin Thomas, Executive Director Torbay Culture said: “The new ten-year strategic place partnership with The National Lottery Heritage Fund is a genuine step change in how to support local heritage. We've worked so hard to build trust and confidence in Torbay, so that heritage can be central to our civic motto of 'health and happiness' and make a real difference for people. Thanks to the Heritage Fund's collaborative approach and support we can turn that vision into a reality.”
Cllr Chris Lewis, Deputy Leader of Torbay Council, said: “Torbay has an extraordinary range of heritage assets many of which are internationally recognised. Our Heritage Strategy sets out our commitment to caring for our historic assets and sharing stories of our unique and varied heritage. This exciting partnership with The National Lottery Heritage Fund allows us to ensure our local heritage is more widely recognised, celebrated, and supported now and in the future. Being chosen as one of nine places in the UK and the only place in the south west to have this 10-year strategic partnership with the Heritage Fund has the potential to make a huge difference to everyone in Torbay. Together we will be defining the projects that will significantly benefit from this partnership and which ultimately build stronger heritage connections and communities.”
Image: View across Tor Bay - Thatcher Rock (SSSI) in the foreground, looking towards Berry Head (National Nature Reserve and SSSI) (Photo: Torbay Culture)
