16 September 2008
Today, Tuesday 16 September 2008, the Heritage Lottery Fund announced a grant of £43,600 to an exciting project which will allow 300 primary school children in Inverclyde to explore and celebrate the life of world famous engineer and inventor, James Watt, who was born in the town in 1736.
This grant award will take HLF’s total investment in Scotland’s heritage to £1/2 billion over the past 14 years.
The ‘James Watt -Head of Steam’ project is set to revitalise a sense of connection and civic pride in the life and legacy of James Watt, whose improvements to the steam engine were fundamental to the changes brought about by the Industrial Revolution. Children will be involved in exploring the science behind his work in a ‘James Watt laboratory’ and learning more about his life and the society and customs of the 18th century through workshops in drama, dance and visual arts.
Working with Inverclyde Council, Scottish Opera and James Watt College, and supported by local Urban Regeneration Company Riverside Inverclyde, material generated by the young people will feed into the creation of a new opera and exhibition which will be performed in June next year to tie in with the Enlightenment strand of Homecoming 2009.
Colin McLean, Head of the Heritage Lottery Fund in Scotland, comments:
“This is a great day for Scotland’s heritage. A major milestone for the Heritage Lottery Fund which gives us the chance to reflect upon the impact HLF funding is having across the country. Magnificent landscapes, rare birds of prey, breathtaking architecture, traditional language, music and dance all have one thing in common. They are being kept alive and well and at the heart of community life with help from this huge investment.
“James Watt-Head of Steam is characteristic of many HLF projects where people are, through exploring their past, forming new friendships and having fun, equipping themselves for the future with new skills and a renewed sense of identity. We are delighted to be able to support this creative project which will raise the profile of one of Scotland’s most famous sons.”
Culture Minister Linda Fabiani said:
"It is great to have the opportunity to be in Greenock to see what the innovative Head Of Steam project is about. I am very excited about the partnership with Scottish Opera which will give young people access to the arts as well as using the arts to explore their heritage. I cannot think of a more appropriate project to see the Heritage Lottery Fund over this half-billion pound landmark. The Fund has been fantastic for Scotland, supporting a wide range of very worthy projects which may otherwise have struggled to gain financial support. Having this resource dedicated to the preservation of our living and cultural heritage is great for Scotland."
Inverclyde Council’s Leader and Education Convener, Councillor Stephen McCabe said:
“Projects like Head of Steam present exciting opportunities for our children to learn and develop. Not only are they learning about James Watt, an inspirational and hugely influential local figure, but they are doing so with Scottish Opera, one of the country’s most prestigious arts organisations. It’s testament to the vision and commitment of the funding partners - Heritage Lottery Fund, Riverside Inverclyde and the Youth Music Initiative – that this innovative project in happening in Inverclyde.”
The Heritage Lottery Fund is celebrating its £1/2billion investment with a special Heritage Weekend on the 20-21st of September. As part of the celebrations many Heritage Lottery funded buildings and projects will be opening free of charge to the public. Visitors will also be able to enjoy some special promotions and events. The Heritage Weekend is being held in partnership with Doors Open Days which will see sites open in the Aberdeenshire, Highland, Dundee, Fife, Glasgow, Perth & Kinross and Shetland areas that weekend.
Notes to editors
£500million funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund has:
- Given almost 1,700 historic buildings a new lease of life
- Regenerated 30 town and city centres
- Awarded over £50m to purchase artefacts, archives and paintings for museums, galleries and libraries across Scotland
- Conserved an area of our natural landscape equivalent to 64,000 football pitches
- Involved 3000 young people in young people-led heritage projects
- Restored 22 urban parks
- Conserved six species (in danger of extinction in some areas) including the black grouse, red kite, the chuff and the red squirrel
- Created 55 spaces for learning and 81 educational posts.
- Restored 17 historic boats including the Waverley Paddle Steamer
- Brought over 280miles of footpaths back into use – enough to take you from Edinburgh to Thurso
- Attracted another £550million of funding for Scottish heritage from other organisations
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. To date it has invested £500million in over 2,500 projects.
Funding partners in the James Watt-Head of Steam project include Inverclyde Council, Riverside Inverclyde (www.riversideinverclyde.com), and Youth Music Initiative.
For directions to James Watt College visit www.jameswatt.ac.uk/info/maps-finnart.asp
To find out more about the Heritage Weekend, visit the Scotland section of the Heritage Lottery Fund website or Doors Open Day www.doorsopendays.org.uk/opendays/theme_details.aspx?subid=52