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News from the Geopark

Torbay Local Heritage Grant Scheme offers small sports groups, community groups and charities extra funds to support heritage-based activities

Torbay Council wants to hear from all small sports groups, community groups and charities as it reopens its Local Heritage Grant Scheme for applications from Monday 30 September.

A total of £250,000 was secured for the scheme from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, further supported with £12,500 from Torbay Council. The fund is intended to improve access and participation in Torbay's heritage and raise awareness of, and celebrate, the UNESCO Global Geopark designation. 

Round 3 funding offers fresh opportunities for innovative projects - especially for smaller groups embarking on their first funded endeavours. Grants are available to local groups from as little as £500 for project kick-offs, up to £7,500 for initiatives involving physical (capital) works.

The Grant scheme has awarded 25 grants to date totalling £133,958. This funding has supported local community groups and charities to deliver on projects that explore Torbay’s local heritage. Projects have included new murals and artist residencies, community garden development, creation of fossil and historic photograph collections, podcasts, handmade books and educational resources. 

To assist potential applicants, the scheme will host free in-person advice sessions across Torbay. These drop-in sessions are open to all and provide informal guidance to answer any questions people may have. 

Drop in at any of the following locations:

• Paignton Library, Courtland Road, TQ3 2AB on Saturday 12 October 11.30am-2.30pm
• Torquay Library, Lymington Road, TQ1 3DT on Wednesday 16 October 10am-1pm
• Brixham Library, Market Street, TQ5 8EU on Monday 21 October 12pm-3pm
• Churston Library, Broadsands Road, TQ4 6LL on Tuesday 22 October 10.30am-1pm.

For those who can’t make the drop-in sessions, email support is available for any questions at heritage.grants@torbay.gov.uk

Cllr Jackie Thomas, Cabinet Member for Tourism, Culture & Events and Corporate Services for Torbay Council said; “The Torbay Local Heritage Grant Scheme is working to provide increased access to, and engagement with, our rich local heritage. Rounds 1 and 2 of the scheme were incredibly popular, delivering great initiatives right across the Bay. We now wish to encourage smaller groups to bring their ideas to life, supported by the fund.”

Here’s what some of our previous grantees have to say:

‘I have had a number of really meaningful engagements attracting people who don’t usually come to the gallery and also who don’t think about geology or know about our Geopark.’

‘It's been really interesting to see other people's takes on local heritage and we've enjoyed being involved with a group of organisations with broadly similar aims.’

‘The project is a classic example of what small sums of money can achieve!’

How to Apply

For more information and to apply, visit www.torbay.gov.uk/lhgs/

Applications will close on 17 January 2025 with an Award Panel decision in February. All projects must be completed within 6 months of the award.

Successful applicants will receive support to deliver their projects.