LOCAL environmental charity South West Lakes Trust is celebrating the award of a major grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund. The money will go towards heritage interpretation for a new Roadford Interpretation Centre, and a comprehensive heritage education programme.
The Heritage Lottery Fund grant of £364,000 will fund activities and materials for the Interpretation Centre including equipment for recording people?s recollections. As well as employing a new education officer for five years there will be outdoor seating and path improvements.
The trust is scheduled to complete the new building during 2003/04 and to involve many local people.
The centre will focus on the archaeology and history of the area, its traditions and rural skills and conservation of rare habitats such as grassland and native wildlife.
Julia Moysey, head of development for the trust, said: ?This exciting project, we hope, will inspire people of all ages and abilities to discover more about their heritage in Torridge and West Devon.
?It will involve many who might not otherwise have been interested in the environment or rural skills.
?We are expecting schools, colleges and general visitors to take advantage of a new educational programme that will offer "hands-on" practical activities as well as opportunities for study and research.?
Nerys Watts, Heritage Lottery Fund?s manager for the South West said: ?This project takes a really exciting and innovative approach to encouraging more people to understand and enjoy the distinctive environment and rural history of West Devon.
?Hands-on, interactive display materials and education and training activities at the site will inspire many more local people to take a closer look and get involved with this rich and varied heritage on their doorstep,? he she said.
South West Lakes Trust has plans for major improvements for Roadford Lake of which the grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund is an important component.
Visitors to Roadford Lake will gradually begin to see improvements taking place over the next few years.
The trust is keeping both the local community and visitors informed of the changes that will be taking place.
If you would like to volunteer your help or think you have information that might be valuable for the new interpretation centre, please contact Lisa Appleton on 01837 871565 or [email protected]">[email protected]