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• GEOPARK FESTIVAL 2024

News from the Geopark

From Monday 22 January 2024 the Torbay local heritage grant scheme reopens for applications.

Local groups can again apply for grant funding of up to £7,500 to support their heritage project.

Made possible after securing £250,000 from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, with an additional £12,500 of funding from us.

The Torbay local heritage grant scheme was launched in the summer of 2023 to enable more people to get involved in Torbay’s heritage and celebrate its UNESCO Global Geopark designation.

All applications must demonstrate how their project or initiative will ensure that a wide range of people will be involved in heritage and that it makes the area a better place to live, work or visit.

Local organisations, community organisations and societies that are considering making an application, can book a free place on an upcoming Fundraising Forum which is taking place at 2pm on Tuesday 6 February 2024. During the 2-hour session, attendees will learn more about the scheme and the application process. Only a few places remain and can be booked via Eventbrite. 

A dozen local projects across, Brixham, Paignton and Torquay have already been awarded funding after the applications were successful during Round 1 of the scheme. Projects already underway include making visitor improvements to the historic Brixham Battery and Torquay Museum, community projects in Paignton, as well as literary inspired murals, podcasts, heritage days and innovative projects which explore our geology and wider history across the English Riviera’s UNESCO designated environment.

Cllr Jackie Thomas, Cabinet Member for Tourism, Culture & Events and Corporate Services for Torbay Council said; “The Torbay local heritage grant scheme is about innovation and encouraging communities to come together to tell untold stories about the Bay. Round 1 of the scheme was incredibly popular, demonstrating how passionate the community is about celebrating our wonderful heritage.”

Stuart McLeod, Director England – London & South at The National Lottery Heritage Fund said; “After the brilliant response to the first round of applications, it’s fantastic that more projects can apply to benefit from this support, thanks to money raised by National Lottery players. There’s a huge breadth of heritage on offer in Torbay and we’re proud to be supporting Torbay Council to unlock the potential for heritage in the area. These projects are a great way to help local people connect and celebrate their heritage and share the stories more widely in the community.”

Dr Kevin Dixon, Torbay Culture board member and local historian; “Torbay’s local heritage grant scheme was incredibly popular last year, and we’re anticipating a lot of interest for the second round. This scheme was designed to respond to feedback, so we’ve simplified the application form. And as before, potential applicants can seek advice from our dedicated heritage grants advisor before applying. Good luck!”

The Torbay local heritage grant scheme runs between 2023 and 2025, with funding being awarded in three rounds. Round 1 ran between June to August 2023, Round 2 runs from January to March 2024 and Round 3 runs from November 2024 to January 2025. All projects need to be delivered by the Autumn of 2025.

All applications will be checked for eligibility and passed to a Decision Panel for reviewing and scoring.

Applications for Round 2 must be made by Friday 22 March 2024. It is anticipated the Decision Panel will meet in early April with outcomes shared shortly after.

Further details on the scheme and the application process. 

Torbay’s local heritage grant scheme is a collaboration between us, Torbay Culture, and the English Riviera UNESCO Global Geopark – one of Earth’s extraordinary places.

Anyone interested is strongly encouraged to have a pre-application call with Mel Humphrey, the dedicated heritage grants advisor first by contacting the heritage.grants@torbay.gov.uk email address.

About The National Lottery Heritage Fund

As the largest dedicated funder of the UK’s heritage, The National Lottery Heritage Fund’s vision is for heritage to be valued, cared for and sustained for everyone, now and in the future as set out in our strategic plan, Heritage 2033.  

Over the next ten years, we aim to invest £3.6billion raised for good causes by National Lottery players to bring about benefits for people, places and the natural environment.   

We help protect, transform and share the things from the past that people care about, from popular museums and historic places, our natural environment and fragile species, to the languages and cultural traditions that celebrate who we are.  

We are passionate about heritage and committed to driving innovation and collaboration to make a positive difference to people’s lives today, while leaving a lasting legacy for future generations to enjoy.   

Follow @HeritageFundUK on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram and use #NationalLotteryHeritageFund  www.heritagefund.org.uk