Heritage Lottery Fund awards £5,600 to mark the Centenary of the First World War in Castleton
Castleton Historical Society (CHS) has received £5,600 from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) for a project, “World War One – Castleton Remembers”.
Awarded through HLF’s “First World War: then and now” programme, the project focuses on an exhibition of memories and photos of local people and their families.
Contributors, volunteers, and members of CHS and of the Peak District National Park Authority (PDNPA) were invited to the official opening on 1 August 2014 in the Darnbrough Room, Castleton Visitors Centre. The opportunity was also taken to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the partnership between CHS and PDNPA at the Visitors Centre where CHS houses its accredited museum. Mary Bagley of PDNPA and Peter Harrison of CHS opened the exhibition which is already proving popular with visitors and locals alike. It will remain open until Sunday 31 August 2014.
About the project
The project involves research and collation of documents, newspaper archives and photos that will continue to be a resource for the future, aiming to build a picture of the village during the war and of some of the families that were drastically affected by the events of 1914 – 1918.
Local people together with members of Castleton Historical Society have brought together these materials in a professionally produced display. The research has also been used in a local production of “Oh What a Lovely War” by the Peveril Players. Children of Castleton’s Primary school have provided some poignant poems and paintings around the theme of “Poppies”. It is hoped that the exhibition will encourage further memories, stories and research, with the intention of updating and repeating the display during the four-year centenary of the First World War.
Commenting on the award, Angela Darlington for CHS said: “We were delighted to receive the support of the Heritage Lottery Fund for our project; it has opened up many new lines of enquiry, all fascinating and some ending up as far away as New Zealand.”
Find out more
Find out about Castleton Historical Society and their project developments at the Castleton Historical Society website.
Heritage Lottery Fund: Then and Now
Through its First World War: then and now programme, HLF is making at least £1million available per year for six years until 2019. It will provide grants between £3,000 and £10,000 enabling communities and groups right across the UK to explore, conserve and share their First World War heritage and deepen their understanding of the impact of the conflict.
To find out how to apply for funding visit the Heritage Lottery Fund Then and Now web page. If a group needs a grant of more than £10,000 for a First World War project, it can apply to HLF through its open programmes.