Shropshire Council celebrates Wilfred Owen centenary National Lottery funding success
Shropshire Council’s Archives and Museums service have been awarded £41,600 by the Heritage Lottery Fund to commemorate the centenary of the death of the poet Wilfred Owen in 2018.
The famous, Wilfred Owen
Since 2012, Shropshire communities have been working in partnership to deliver an extensive and ambitious programme of heritage and arts activities to commemorate the centenary of World War I. The project will culminate in a large-scale commemoration of the 100th anniversary of Wilfred Owen’s death at the age of 25 in November 1918, just 7 days before the armistice.
In 2018, the events of Wilfred Owen 100 will be launched on 4 August and will reflect on this emotional landmark with exhibitions, installations and projects to commemorate Shropshire’s soldier and poet, Wilfred Owen MC.
The life and contribution of Wilfred Owen and all the other natives of Shropshire who were swept up into the services during the conflict will be a key element in the programme, but the wider social impact of the war on all the inhabitants of Shropshire will also be of crucial importance.
Lezley Picton, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for culture and leisure, said:
“I’m delighted to celebrate this generous award by the Heritage Lottery Fund to commemorate Shropshire’s Wilfred Owen, one of the most significant and influential First World War poets. The project will celebrate his achievements, as well as connecting Shropshire’s communities with their own World War One history.”
Vanessa Harbar, Head of Heritage Lottery Fund West Midlands, said:
“The impact of the First World War was far reaching, touching and shaping every corner of the UK and beyond. Thanks to National Lottery players, HLF has already invested more than £90million to more than 1,700 projects – large and small – that are marking this global Centenary; with our small grants programme, we are enabling even more communities like those involved in Wilfred Owen 100, Shropshire Remembers to explore the continuing legacy of this conflict and help local young people in particular to broaden their understanding of how it has shaped our modern world.”
About the Heritage Lottery Fund
Thanks to National Lottery players, we invest money to help people across the UK explore, enjoy and protect the heritage they care about – from the archaeology under our feet to the historic parks and buildings we love, from precious memories and collections to rare wildlife. www.hlf.org.uk. Follow them on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram and use #HLFsupported.
