From miner to Major – Sherwood Forest funding success

November 26, 2014

Heritage Lottery Fund to support the real story of Sherwood Forest 

The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) has approved a bid to develop a Landscape Partnership scheme in Sherwood Forest, which could ultimately see a £3.7m restoration of the ancient woodland and celebration of Sherwood’s cultural heritage.

The “From miner to Major: the real Sherwood Forest” project aims to reflect the diverse heritage of the area, which encompasses coal mining and internationally important wildlife, as well as the legendary Robin Hood.

A development grant of £119,000 will enable the Sherwood Forest Landscape Partnership to develop ideas that will rebuild Sherwood Forest’s sense of place, reconnecting its ancient woodlands, heathlands, and cultural heritage.

The bid has been submitted by Nottinghamshire County Council on behalf of a growing partnership of organisations from the, heritage, conservation and community sectors (see Notes to Editors).

Success represents completion of the first part of HLF’s two-stage process and means that a further phase of development work can now go ahead. This development phase is expected to take 18 months and will prepare detailed proposals for a series of schemes to be implemented on the ground from 2017.

If the second stage of the application is successful, the value of the final scheme is expected to be worth around £3.7m. Projects would be supported over an area of around 200 square kilometres and managed by a range of public and private landowners.

Local people and community groups would be encouraged and supported to take part in projects in their community, aimed at learning about, conserving or celebrating their area’s heritage.

Councillor John Knight, Chairman of the Culture Committee at Nottinghamshire County Council, said: “We are overjoyed to hear of the bid’s success as there were many applicants and a lot of competition. It reflects well on the hard work that was put in by many partners. We recognise that this is only the first step in our aspirations to make more of Sherwood’s heritage, but it is a very important step as it will enable us to carry out careful study and consultation to make sure that we have got the best possible programme of proposals.”

Find out more

If you would like further information please contact Laura Simpson, Heritage Tourism Officer on 01159 932 595 or email laura.simpson@nottscc.gov.uk.

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