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Local Heritage Initiative A new English Local Heritage Initiative (LHI) has recently been launched jointly by the Heritage Lottery Fund and the Countryside Agency. This programme is run along similar lines to the Awards for All scheme and the application process is equally straight forward. Grants of between £3,000 and £15,000 for projects lasting up to two years are available to support a range of heritage projects involving local communities in either exploring or preserving their heritage or undertaking heritage initiatives that demonstrate clear public benefits. Awards will be made chiefly to local groups undertaking projects associated with Archaeological heritage, Natural heritage, Built heritage, Industrial heritage and Customs & traditions. Groups not locally based are also eligible to apply, including local authorities, provided there is clear evidence of local support and involvement. Under Customs & traditions, for example, LHI will fund the following aspects: "historic and cultural associations with the land and activities of local people, for example stories, poems, songs, dialect, recipes, traditions and famous people. Heritage features relating to how people lived, worked and played, such as place names, field names, parish boundaries, open spaces, viewpoints, local rights of way of significant heritage value, including country lanes and drove roads". Archival costs are among the associated costs eligible for funding but any repository bidding for funds will need to do so in association with local groups since projects must demonstrate the active involvement of the local community. Project costs may not exceed £25,000. LHI grants will not exceed 60% of the total project cost ie. £15,000. A minimum of 5% cash (as a percentage of total actual expenditure) must be contributed to the project costs. Partnership funding may be made up of cash and in-kind contributions. This initiative is offered initially in England but it is intended that similar schemes be developed for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The scheme is planned to run for 10 years. The first round of applications must be submitted by 15th May 2000. Another round will open in Autumn 2000. Further information on this grant programme can be obtained by telephoning 01226 719019 or visit the LHI webside at www.lhi.org.uk. Alternatively, write to LHI Information, The Acorn Centre, 51 High Street, Grimethorpe, Barnsley, S72 7BB. A presentation on the Local Heritage Initiative will be included in the programme of the Tithe Maps Seminar to be held at the Public Record Office, London on Tuesday 29th February. Cathrin Cassarchis Archive Lottery Adviser National Council on Archives c/o Public Record Office Ruskin Avenue Kew, Richmond Surrey TW9 4DU Tel: 0181 3925313 Fax: 0181 3925280 email: [log in to unmask] %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%