Winner of Heritage Lottery Fund Prize 2010
Earlier in the year I reported on the National Lottery Award where three prize winning projects, funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, were announced. This special event, featuring many stars, was broadcast live on BBC One, from London’s Roadhouse.
This summer (2010), a public vote took place, to select the three winning projects, this is one of them……
Best Heritage Project
Winner – Isle of Wight Railway Restoration – HLF grant of £489,000
Steam trains were made redundant on the Isle of Wight in the early 20 th century, with local folk removing the carriages, and converting them into either sheds, or chicken houses. The Isle of Wight Railway Company’s special projects team, were entrusted with the task of locating them, in order for the restoration to take place.
The HLF funding has enabled a workshop to be fully equipped, employing several people to work on the project, training some in the skills of crafts such as upholstery, glazing metal and woodwork. Mature craftsmen pass on their rare skills to younger carriage restorers, thus preserving the railway heritage for future generations. Both Victorian and Edwardian passenger carriages and goods wagons have been restored, giving people the opportunity to make a trip back in time. Local people were also involved in the restoration and educational values of the railway, during the project.
The National Lottery Awards annually search to identify the UK’s favourite Lottery funded projects. Projects all across the UK are funded from the £25 million per week generated by Lottery players. The Awards highlight the use funding has been put to, and how it has improved people’s lives in the UK.
Source: Heritage Lottery Fund, 07/09/10
Note: The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) uses funds raised through the National Lottery to preserve and improve a wide variety of our heritage for present and future generations to enjoy and learn from. HLF invests in museums, public parks and historic places to archaeology, species and skills; and has supported almost 34,000 projects, allocating £4.4billion across the UK. www.hlf.org.uk
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