World War One commemoration projects granted £190,300 to help mark centenary

The Shropshire First World War Community Consortium – which is led by Shropshire Council – has just received confirmation that it has been successful with two funding bids for £190,300. Arts Council England, West Midlands, has awarded £99,000 and the Heritage Lottery Fund has granted a further £91,300 for separate arts and heritage projects to help communities commemorate the centenary anniversaries of the First World War.

With Shropshire Council acting as lead partner, the First World War Consortium consists of over 50 local groups planning many activities and events to mark the historic anniversary of the conflict. Nineteen community based arts, museums, festivals, and heritage groups and initiatives from across the county will receive funding from HLF and Arts Council.

The Consortium is taking the opportunity to mark the 100th anniversary by commemorating the extraordinary circumstance of losing a generation of men to The Great War. At the same time the story is told of how this war impacted on different aspects of the lives’ of ordinary people and the great advancement in technology.

Gwilym Butler, Shropshire Council Cabinet member for libraries, leisure and culture, said:

“I was very pleased to hear about the success of this partnership project. The Consortium has been meeting for over a year and the support that the Heritage Lottery Fund and Arts Council England have given the projects will make a huge difference. A wide programme of arts and heritage activities will now go ahead and many Shropshire residents will benefit. The plan includes touring rural drama, commissioning new music, exhibitions and visual artwork; plenty for people to get involved with and to gain understanding. I think it’s important to mark such a huge moment in our history with such activity.”

Tina Woodward, Shropshire Council Deputy Cabinet member for visitor economy, said:

“We have sites, records and people of national significance right here in Shropshire – Wilfred Owen is probably the most famous – and the funding will really allow people to make the most of Shropshire’s heritage.”

Cecilia Motley, Shropshire Council’s representative on the Arts Council board, said:

“It is very good to see that the Arts Council and HLF are directing funds to help support the Consortium’s bid as it demonstrates their commitment to encouraging arts and culture initiatives in the more rural parts of the country. I am confident the Shropshire Consortium will make excellent use of this very valuable contribution to their work.”