HOLMES Chapel MP Fiona Bruce is urging her constituents to apply for Lottery funding to mark the centenary of The First World War.

The Heritage Lottery Fund is making at least £1 million a year available until 2019 as part of the ‘First World War: then and now’ programme for small, community grants. It will provide grants of £3,000 to £10,000, enabling groups across the country to explore, conserve and share their First World War heritage and deepen their understanding of the impact of the conflict.

Fiona Bruce, speaking after a meeting with the Heritage Lottery Fund in Parliament, said: “Like many areas across the UK, The First World War greatly impacted the people of our local area. “I am very pleased some groups in my constituency have already obtained this funding – in some instances up to £10,000 – and for those who want to find out more about The First World War’s legacy or who wish to mark the centenary, I would urge them to get in touch with the Heritage Lottery Fund.”

Mrs Bruce urged her constituents to think about how they would like to mark the centenary. Successful projects will include researching, identifying and recording heritage; creating a community archive or collection; researching, writing and performing creative material using heritage sources; and exhibitions and trails.