Press Release

Press Release Archive: Tuesday 25 January 2011

Heritage Lottery Fund supports Lincolnshire´s coast and grazing marshes

The Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust is receiving £38,700 “Your Heritage” funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund to help communities learn about, look after and celebrate the heritage of the Lincolnshire Coastal Country Park and Coastal Grazing Marshes.

With this funding the Wildlife Trust will deliver a full programme of events in the Coastal Country Park, from Sandilands to Chapel St Leonards, including living history days, beach combing, storytelling and educational workshops; raise public awareness and understanding of the heritage value of the coast & grazing marsh; and promote opportunities for community involvement in the Country Park and Coastal Grazing Marshes. Commenting on the award, Caroline Steel from the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust said: "Lincolnshire’s Coast and Grazing Marshes have not had the attention they deserve in the past: now people are finding out more about the fascinating natural and historic environment.  The Coastal Country Park is Lincolnshire’s last undeveloped but unprotected stretch of coast and support from the Heritage Lottery Fund means that many more local people and visitors will have the opportunity to explore and celebrate its wildlife, history and natural beauty." Joe Blissett, “Your Heritage” Project Officer, said: "With this support from the Heritage Lottery Fund, the “Your Heritage” grant will help us encourage all ages to participate more with their community and learn about the surrounding landscape, history and nature. Critically it also forms part of an overall development campaign being championed by Lincolnshire County Council – a new Coastal Country Park that will improve access and facilities, placing Lincolnshire’s coast firmly back on the map." Emma Sayer, Head of Heritage Lottery Fund East Midlands, said: "Lincolnshire’s Coast and Grazing Marshes are a vital part of our natural heritage. By getting everyone involved in learning about and enjoying them we can build an understanding of their importance, ensuring they will be valued and protected for many generations to come. The range of activities supported by this project will give opportunities to people across the community to explore their precious local environment." Local groups, clubs and parish councils are invited to submit their own events for inclusion in a new Coastal Country Park Events Programme for 2011. Advice will also be on offer to develop the events for future years. If you wish to promote an event or include our events in your publication please contact “Your Heritage” Project Officer, Joe Blissett.

Notes to Editors

1. The Heritage Lottery Fund
   Using money raised through the National Lottery, the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) sustains and transforms a wide range of heritage for present and future generations to take part in, learn from and enjoy. From museums, parks and historic places to archaeology, natural environment and cultural traditions, we invest in every part of our diverse heritage. HLF has supported over 30,000 projects, allocating £4.5 billion across the UK.
   www.hlf.org.uk 
   
2. The Lincolnshire Coastal Country Park is an initiative led by Lincolnshire County Council. It covers the area between Sandilands and Chapel St Leonards and already contains wildlife-rich areas including five established nature reserves managed by Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust, which is working to develop another at Anderby Marsh.
   The partners in the Coastal Country Park project aim to widen the appreciation of this fantastic environment, provide high quality facilities and countryside access for people and better protection for wildlife.
   More information is available on the Coastal Country Park pages of the Lincolnshire County Council website.
   
3. The Lincolnshire Coastal Grazing Marshes are traditionally associated with pastoral farming and the area is scattered with historic landscape features and archaeological remains. However, very little remains of once extensive areas of traditionally managed grazing marshes and dykes and what is left is under serious threat. The Lincolnshire Coastal Grazing Marshes (LCGM) Project aims to conserve and enhance the grazing marshes so that they can be understood and enjoyed by residents and visitors alike as well as future generations.
   Details of the Lincolnshire Coastal Grazing Marshes can be found at: www.lincsmarshes.org.uk
   
4. Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust
   The Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust is dedicated to the conservation of wildlife and wild places throughout the historic county of Lincolnshire - from the Humber to the Wash.  The Trust is Lincolnshire's leading nature conservation charity with over 25,000 members and around 100 nature reserves.  The Trust is a member of a nationwide network of 47 local trusts which work to protect wildlife - The Wildlife Trusts.

For more information please contact:

Joe Blissett
“Your Heritage” Project Officer
Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust
Tel: 01507 526667
Mobile: 07557 038522
Email: jblissett@lincstrust.co.uk

-- OR --

Rachel Shaw, Public Relations Officer
Tel: 01507 526667   (ansaphone out of office hours)
Fax: 01507 525732
Email: Rachel Shaw

Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust
Banovallum House
Manor House Street
Horncastle
Lincolnshire LN9 5HF

Website: www.lincstrust.org.uk