North West locations get grants under the ₤15.5 million Government's Culture Recovery Fund for Heritage

THIS winter sites like Alexandra Park and Palace and The British Music Experience, in Liverpool, will receive a share of ₤14.8 million in continuity support grants as part of this next round of funding. Almost ₤1 million in emergency grants will also be awarded to 12 Heritage organisations struggling to survive, providing them with a financial lifeline.

This Festive Season in total nearly 140 heritage organisations within England will now benefit from the Government's unprecedented Culture Recovery Fund for Heritage.

A total of ₤138 million has been awarded to heritage organisations from the three rounds of the Government's ₤2 billion Culture Recovery Fund support package made available for arts, culture and heritage organisations during the Pandemic. This third round of grants are part of the additional ₤300 million announced by the Chancellor at March's Budget.

Heritage Minister Nigel Huddleston said:- "I'm delighted that this vital funding from our unprecedented Culture Recovery Fund is giving so many brilliant heritage organisations a helping hand this winter. I want everyone to enjoy what our fascinating and diverse heritage has to offer and with this money we're safeguarding these organisations for generations to come."

The Very Revd Dr Tim Stratford, Dean of Chester said:- "Chester Cathedral is delighted to have received a grant of vital financial support from DCMS' Continuity Support stream from the Culture Recovery Fund. Without DCMS' continued support we would be in a much bleaker situation. The CRF funding has ensured not only that our magnificent building and heritage continue to be available to the public, but our Cathedral can continue to fulfil its mission with energy and enthusiasm. This funding has given us the opportunity to re-imagine how we do things and ensure that we remain a relevant, exciting organisation and fulfil our goals to be a place of Discovery, Encounter, and Faith."

Karen Shannon, CEO of Manchester Histories, said:- "We are delighted to receive this funding grant. It will really make a difference. It will help us to continue with our engagement work, connecting people to histories and heritage across Greater Manchester by recognising, celebrating and valuing their stories. It's a real boost and will also support Manchester Histories as we continue to recover from the impact of the Pandemic. Thank you!"

Ros Kerslake, Chief Executive, National Lottery Heritage Fund, said:- "This latest round of the Culture Recovery Fund for Heritage provides a welcome Christmas boost for Heritage organisations. With the situation changing daily, the funding will be crucial in helping heritage sites navigate their seasonal activities ensuring the safety of their visitors and their communities. The grants will also support organisations in implementing business plans as they work round the challenges for the coming year, helping financial sustainability and driving tourism so that we can look to a bright future for our heritage sector."

Duncan Wilson, Chief Executive, Historic England said:- "We are delighted that the Culture Recovery Fund for Heritage grants continue to keep so many heritage organisations going. From major historic buildings to small community organisations promoting local heritage; all deserve this support, to continue to open up to everyone the opportunities that our shared history creates."

Investing in heritage will not only support Covid19 economic recovery, but also improve people's lives and make communities better places to live, creating jobs, driving tourism and improving wellbeing.

The Culture Recovery Fund for Heritage is administered by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, in partnership with Historic England on behalf of the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.

The grants awarded are as follows:-

► Chester Cathedral, Chester - ₤171,200... Chester Cathedral is an architectural gem founded over 1,000 years ago as a Benedictine Monastery. This is largest free and accessible visitor attraction in Chester. The grant will go towards operation and other costs.

► Hoghton Tower Preservation Trust, Lancashire - ₤116,500... Iconic heritage site Hoghton Tower, which lies between Blackburn and Preston, is a source of pride for the local community, many of whom are trained volunteers. The fortified hilltop manor house, rebuilt by Sir Thomas Hoghton in the 1560's will receive an award for staff costs to support plans for a fully opened house and garden.

► Stainmore Railway Company, Kirkby, Cumbria - ₤16,000... Stainmore Railway Company looks after one of the foremost collections in the UK of items associated with the North Eastern Railway (NER) and London & North Eastern Railway (LNER). The grant will enable the organisation to focus on developing its partnership working with local organisations and continue to build income generation opportunities, supporting both them and surrounding businesses.

► Penistone Cinema Organ Trust - ₤12,500... The Trust maintains and presents concerts on historic cinema organs at the Penistone Paramount cinema and The Astoria Centre, Barnsley. They have also worked on many other organ restorations across the UK. The grant will cover rent and overhead costs as well as organ maintenance, which will be carried out by volunteers.

► Bidston Observatory Artistic Research Centre, Prenton near Liverpool - CRF3 ₤27,200... Bidston Observatory was built in 1866 by George Fosbery Lyster to measure time. For 135 years it carried out specialist research of ground breaking importance across the fields of astronomy, meteorology, seismography and oceanography. The Grade-II listed landmark is a key component of Liverpool's long history of maritime science and its presence on Wirral's skyline is iconic. The grant will cover essential running costs and staffing.

► Manchester Histories - ₤42,200... Manchester Histories work is important to the local community as it reveals the often hidden histories and heritage of people. Their work on commemorating the 200th Anniversary of the Peterloo Massacre was a local story but was told to national and international audiences. The Culture Recovery Fund award will enable them to continue their work with communities.

For a full list of all the Culture Recovery Fund for Heritage awards please visit:- HeritageFund.Org.UK.

The Official Miss Liverpool City Region 2021 Poppy Gerrard - Xmas Address

/p>

THE following footage is the official Christmas Video Address by Miss Liverpool City Region 2021, a title awarded under the Miss England competition. Miss England is a part of the Miss World group. Poppy has been a fantastic ambassador for the Liverpool City Region, after getting the title. Sadly, lots of the activities that she was due to attend had to be cancelled due to Covid19, but that did not stop Poppy from making a difference. Poppy did lots of work that has not been listed, helping to raise cash for badly affected charities through to helping children with their learning at Schools across the Region. She even persuaded a well know pop star to do a video cast with her for charity!

Sadly, 2021 did not see Poppy take the title of Miss England, but she did come 4th and won:- 'The Plastfree Eco Queen Award,' which was presented at the recent Miss England Grand final, at the Heart of England Conference and Events Centre in Coventry, England.

On the day, in her incredible dress made from Chocolate box lids and sweet wrappers to highlight plastic waste, Poppy told the UK's press that:- "My Eco dress has been created in collaboration with the wonderful @doesliverpool @jackiesees @kassimaker. It was great to teach a Primary School Year 4 class who helped me with the sewing of my dress whilst learning about our planet and the Maths behind the dress design. My dress has a geometric Maths theme (due to my love for the subject), and is completely made out of recycled plastic chocolate boxes collected from the festive season and laser cut into shapes @qualitystreetuki @cadburyuk The wings, which light up and have a Heroes Chocolate box edging, symbolize what we are trying to protect by living environmentally friendly - nature."

Poppy later went on to show off her winning outfit on the Plastfree Stand at the Pharmacy Show, at the NEC, on 17 October 2021.

This year has been a very strange year, but both VAMPHire.Com and Holistic Realignment have had the pleasure of being the joint sponsors of Poppy Gerrard, 18, from Allerton.  Marcus Croman, from Holistic Realignment, said:- "It has been a pleasure to have sponsored Poppy. She is a fantastic role model for young people to look up to." Patrick Trollope from VAMPHire.com said:- "Poppy has preformed an amazing job as Miss Liverpool City Region, under exceptionally difficult situations. She has consistently delivered and has helped to the area, from doing beach and canal cleanings to raising cash for charities, and even helping inspire other young people on a number of projects."

For more information about Miss Liverpool City Region please go to:- Miss-Liverpool-City-Region.Com and for more information about Miss England, please visit:- MissEngland.Info.