A problem that we have is that what the lottery call "mining heritage" and
what we would call "mining heritage" are two very different things. I dont
have the time to look at the 98 projects that have been funded but i bet
that a large percentage are based in the former coalfields and had little or
no proffessional guidance from people with a knowledege of mining history
and current research needs. Therefore not projects that have made any
significant contribution to our knowledge and understanding of former mining
activities. I suspect most are village history type projects where the local
community sets the aggenda. Oral history and reminisances are very popular
and only need small amounts of funding, hence they get it, but it would be
useful to move beyond the "it wer grim down pit" mentality. Small simple
projects also suceed in getting funding because they have easy to produce
delivearables i.e. they are less risky (in the eyes of the lottery) and
therefore makes the lottery look good, particularly where an economically
deprived area is involved.
Martin Roe
Meerstone Archaeological Consultancy
http://www.martinroe.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/meerstone.htm
Lead Mining in the Yorkshire Dales,
http://www.martinroe.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk
>
>I note, from the detail available on the above website, that 'mining
>heritage projects' have benefited significantly from HLF grants; at least
>they have numerically, with funding for 98 projects, but no indication as
>to the proportion of the funds so allocated.
>
>Given the call on funds from the 2012 Olympics it could be important for
>the mining history community to respond to their consultation exercise.
>
>Peter
>
>
>______________________________________________
>
>Dr Peter Claughton,
>Blaenpant Morfil, nr. Rosebush, Clynderwen, Pembrokeshire, Wales SA66 7RE.
>Tel. +44 (0)1437 532578; Fax. +44 (0)1437 532921; Mobile +44 (0)7831 427599
>
>Hon. University Fellow,
>School of Humanities and Social Sciences (Centre for South Western
>Historical Studies),
>University of Exeter
>E-mail: [log in to unmask]
>
>Co-owner - mining-history e-mail discussion list.
>See http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/files/mining-history/ for details.
>
>Mining History Pages - http://www.exeter.ac.uk/~pfclaugh/mhinf/
>
>_____________________________________________
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