HERITAGE LOTTERY FUND TO SAFEGUARD FUTURE OF CRESWELL CRAGS

Widely reported in the news recently was the announcement by the Heritage Lottery Fund to award a grant of £4.26 million to safeguard the future of Creswell Crags, Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire's hidden gem. The award will fund the creation of a national centre of excellence for telling the Ice Age story to school children, local communities and tourists. A new museum and education centre will be built which will tell the story of the Crags and a local road will be re-routed to protect the site. The British Museum is one of several museums which have already agreed to loan artefacts and special exhibitions once the new museum has been built.

A Scheduled Ancient Monument, Site of Special Scientific Interest, part of a Grade 11 listed park Creswell Crags is undoubtedly unique but has unfortunately lacked much needed investment and modernisation. As a result it does not fulfil its potential as one of Britain's top heritage sites.

Creswell Crags hit the headlines in April 2003 with the discovery of the Ice Age Cave Art, billed as one of the most important prehistoric finds in Britain. Archaeological finds dating back between 10,000 and 50,000 years ago have also been discovered, including flint and bone tools and carvings, proving that Ice Age hunters visited the site to hunt mammoth and reindeer.

The award to Creswell Heritage Trust, a small charitable trust, marks the culmination of many years of hard work and dedication. Commenting on the award Nigel Mills, Director of the Trust said, "This is just the news we were hoping to start the New Year with. The award is a mammoth tribute to all the hard work and support we have had over the last ten years from the local authorities, private sector partners, national agencies and local communities. With the help of the Heritage Lottery Fund this former coalfield area is developing a national reputation for heritage and landscape. It's a real boost to regeneration and finally gives Creswell Crags the recognition the site deserves. We've been given nearly £200,000 to get started with and once we answer the last few questions we can starting working to the full budget."

Explaining the importance of the award, HLF's regional manager Sheila Stone said, "Creswell Crags is without doubt one of Britain's hidden gems and is of undisputed international importance. The Crags give us an opportunity to learn about a little known area of the past and the new and improved understanding that will result from this project will help people learn and understand much more about how their ancestors lived and the impact of climate change on their lives. I'm delighted to be able to support it and give it the limelight it truly deserves."

Located in the middle of a former coalfield and close to several former pit villages, the transformation of the Crags will benefit the entire community and act as a catalyst for regeneration in the area.

About Heritage Lottery Fund
The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) enables communities to celebrate, look after and learn more about our diverse heritage. From our great museums and historic buildings to local parks and beauty spots or recording and celebrating traditions, customs and history, HLF grants open up our nation's heritage for everyone to enjoy. This year marks the 10th birthday of the Lottery. Since its conception, HLF have supported 15,000 projects allocating over £3 billion across the UK. In the East Midlands we have awarded almost £150.7 million to over 1,250 projects

About Creswell Heritage Trust
Creswell Heritage Trust is an independent charitable trust. The objectives of the trust are to promote conservation, management, public appreciation and enjoyment of the cultural and natural heritage of the Creswell Heritage Area of North East Derbyshire and North Nottinghamshire, on the edge of Sherwood Forest. The trust is supported by Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire County Councils, the District of Bolsover, Lafarge Aggregates, Severn Trent Water, English Heritage and English Nature. The Creswell Crags project is also supported by the East Midlands Development Agency, the Alliance Sub-Regional Strategic Partnership, the Bolsover Local Strategic Partnership, the European Regional Development Fund and local community organisations.

For further information, please contact:
Nicky Price, Heritage Lottery Fund - Tel: 020 7591 6046, email: nickyp@hlf.org.uk
Website: www.hlf.org.uk

Nigel Mills, Creswell Heritage Trust - tel 01909 720378, email: nigel@creswell-crags.org.uk. Website: www.creswell-crags.org.uk