One year from the Battle of the Somme Centenary, Nigel Huddleston MP has urged Mid Worcestershire communities to apply for new £4m Heritage Lottery Fund money to explore the impact of the war.

Last week the MP attended a House of Commons event hosted by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF), to find out how local people can secure new National Lottery money to help them mark the Centenary of the First World War. 

The HLF is now chaired by his predecessor, former MP for Mid Worcestershire Sir Peter Luff, and he also attended and spoke at the event, which showcased just a handful of over 1,000 First World War projects taking place across the UK, thanks to more than £70million of investment from HLF.

Following the success of its community grants programme First World War: then and now, HLF has made an additional £4million available in 2015/16 for communities looking to explore, conserve and share local heritage of the First World War. 

The Badsey Society has recently received a grant from HLF for a project entitled ‘Badsey, Aldington and Wickhamford – a rural community’s view of the Great War’. This project will focus on all aspects of life for the villagers of the market gardening communities of Badsey, Aldington and Wickhamford during the First World War, whether at home or overseas.

There are still many grants available, between £3,000 to £10,000, and Nigel is urging more local people to apply for funding for centenary projects.

After the event he said:“Thanks to National Lottery funding, thousands of young people and communities throughout the UK have already been involved in activities marking the Centenary such as: researching and recording local heritage; conserving and finding out more about war memorials; and using digital technology to share the fascinating stories they uncover.  This new money will help even more people get involved to explore a greater range of stories including those surrounding the Battle of the Somme.

“It’s so important that we remember the impact of this war one hundred years on.  It is great that money has already been granted to the Badsey Society, who have already put on successful centenary events, but I know there are other local projects that would benefit from funding. There is still time to apply for National Lottery money and I encourage anyone in Mid Worcestershire with an idea for their own project to get in touch with HLF.”     

Sir Peter Luff, Chair of the HLF, said: “The demand for National Lottery funding for First World War projects has been phenomenal, so much so we’ve decided to make extra money available. This will mean everyone, in particular more young people, can explore the momentous events of a war that shaped our nation, Europe and the world. Next year marks the centenary of the Battle of Somme and if groups want support for projects in 2016, they need to start thinking about applying now.”

More information on how to apply for HLF funding is available at www.hlf.org.uk