A new programme to support heritage work in Barrow will launch next month.

‘Barrow’s Heritage – Micro to Mighty’ will see Westmorland and Furness Council award grants of between £200 and £3,000 to groups and organisations to support heritage-related projects.

The programme will also pull together a ‘Local List’ of heritage assets in Barrow to record buildings, structures or spaces worthy of recognition.

Supported through The National Lottery Heritage Fund, ‘Barrow’s Heritage – Micro to Mighty’ is picking up where a successful National Lottery Heritage Fund backed heritage grant scheme left off in 2017.

Under the 2017 programme, managed by Barrow Borough Council, 20 successful applicants were awarded a total of £51,000, including schools, community groups and arts organisations.

Projects supported included Ormsgill Primary School pupils’ study of the history of Ormsgill Quarry, Friends of Askam Station working with two schools to create new displays by looking at the history of the station and Art Gene in Barrow, whose members created a short film about the music scene in Barrow and how things have changed since the 1960s.

The new micro-grants will build on the work started in these projects and support new schemes that celebrate and build understanding of the area’s rich heritage.

The creation of a Local List will ensure that the ‘unsung heroes’ of Barrow’s heritage landscape are recognised. Any building, structure or space of virtually any age has the potential to be a heritage asset, either valued now or by future generations because of its interest and contribution to Barrow’s history.

These assets are important reminders of the past and provide character, image and identity and the Local List will log examples identified by the community.
David Haughian, Westmorland and Furness Council’s Assistant Director for Community Infrastructure, said: “This is an exciting programme that will really help communities to connect with and understand Barrow’s rich heritage.

“Our arts, culture and heritage are central in shaping our sense of place, in contributing to economic growth and supporting wellbeing. Our cultural and heritage assets are key to the Council Plan ambitions to ensure Westmorland and Furness is a great place to live, work and thrive.

“The previous heritage grant scheme in 2017 supported some excellent projects and this latest National Lottery Heritage Fund backing means that work can continue.’’

Eilish McGuinness, Chief Executive of The National Lottery Heritage Fund said, “Heritage is for everyone; it is the core of our places and our people, protecting and passing on the things we value to future generations – it has the power to support communities and to change lives.

“I’m very proud that thanks to money raised by National Lottery players, we’re collaborating again with Barrow communities on the ‘Barrow’s Heritage – Micro to Mighty’ programme to continue to make this area’s rich heritage accessible.’’

‘Barrow’s Heritage – Micro to Mighty’ will launch on Tuesday, 13 June, 4.30pm–6.30pm at Barrow Town Hall, with refreshments available from 4pm.

Attendees will hear about the importance of heritage to our local communities and will have an opportunity to discuss their project ideas and details of how to apply for a grant. There will also be an opportunity to speak to previous heritage micro grant recipients.