Community grant opportunities with the Land of Lead and Silver project

9 October 2024

We are almost at the end of the first year of the Land of Lead and Silver project and, so far, it has been an incredible journey. We have worked with many volunteers and had a busy summer collaborating with artists and the wider North Pennines community. While we have lots more in store, you too could lead your own project around the mining heritage of the area.

Thanks to The National Lottery Heritage Fund, there is a budget available for community grants for each year of the project. Anyone can apply, whether you are an individual, a group or an organisation.  To qualify, your project must involve the community and have a lead or silver mining theme. Three organisations have already been granted funding this year but we still have some funding available. Find out more here: Land of lead and silver community grants – North Pennines National Landscape

We would love to hear about your ideas too. The Land of Lead and Silver project, led by the North Pennines National Landscape team and funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund and Historic England, has an aim to support local communities to explore their heritage and develop their own undertakings for the future. Your project can be about anything as long as you can link it back to mining and have an engagement programme.

One of this year’s successful applicants is The North Pennines Playwrights, a new group which was inspired by the Land of Lead and Silver project who are currently writing a community play. It is a family drama set during the 1849 Allenheads lead miners’ strike, and mixing romance, crime and humour. The group are having a launch event at Weardale Wordfest this October where they will be presenting a dramatised reading of their first completed script. This will be the group’s first performance and they would appreciate feedback so please come along. Find out more: WordFest Events 2024 – Weardale WordFest

The Weardale Museum has also been successful in applying for a project to expand their premises and interpretation. The museum is a treasure trove of information showing what life was like in the industrial era mining communities and well worth a visit. The museum plans to update its displays including developing a trail of mini Lego models of popular museum items and new displays about the local football club of the mining communities of Weardale.

Finally, Upper Teesdale Agricultural Support Services, based in Middleton-in-Teesdale, received a grant to deliver a varied programme to engage the local communities with the history of lead mining. This will include gathering oral histories, visits to key sites and creative sessions inspired by the lead mining legacies. This project will take place during their weekly Chat and Craft sessions which take place every Tuesday morning, and there is always tea and cake.

What could your project be? Hopefully you are inspired to create your own or join some of these activities. Find out more about our community grants here, or email Rebecca to have an informal chat about any ideas.