MP urges Nuneaton communities to apply for funding to mark the Centenary of the First World War

With a year to go until we mark the centenary of the UK entering the First World War, Nuneaton’s MP, Marcus Jones, is urging local people to consider applying to the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) for community projects to learn more about the First World War.

HLF is making at least £1m a year available until 2019 as part of the First World War: then and now programme for small, community grants. It will provide grants of £3,000 to £10,000 enabling groups right across the UK to explore, conserve and share their First World War heritage and deepen their understanding of the impact of the conflict.

Marcus has urged local people to think about how they would like to mark the Centenary. Successful projects will include:

  • Researching, identifying and recording local heritage;
  • Creating a community archive or collection
  • Developing new interpretation of heritage through exhibitions, trails, smartphone apps etc.
  • Researching, writing and performing creative material based on heritage sources;
  • Conserving and finding out more about war memorials


Commenting, Marcus said: “I’m delighted that the Heritage Lottery Fund is making this money available to local communities. Like many areas across the UK, the impact of the First World War on the people of my constituency was extensive. For those who want to find out more about its legacy or who wish to mark the Centenary, I would urge them to get in touch with HLF. “

Dame Jenny Abramsky, Chair of HLF, said: “The impact of the First World War was far reaching, touching and shaping every corner of the UK and beyond. The Heritage Lottery Fund’s new programme will enable communities to explore the continuing legacy of this war and help young people in particular to broaden their understanding of how it has shaped our modern world.”

HLF has already invested over £15m in projects – large and small – that will mark the Centenary. If a group has a project idea to mark the Centenary, an online application pack is available at http://www.hlf.org.uk/thenandnow. If a group needs a grant of more than £10,000 for a First World War project, it can apply to HLF through its open programmes at http://www.hlf.org.uk.