Work continues to secure the match funding that will enable HLF to release the £1.8million, which will fund a wide variety of conservation and engagement projects on Holy Island and the adjacent mainland. The Peregrini board are anticipating this will be achieved in the coming months, with the Peregrini Lindisfarne project starting in earnest early in 2014.

The Peregrini Lindisfarne project aims to protect and enhance the Holy Island of Lindisfarne and surrounding areas by reconnecting the community’s relationship with the land and seascapes, heritage and history, making the area a better place to work, live and visit.

The cultural and natural heritage of the area is very significant to the local communities who live, work and enjoys this part of Northumberland. Holy Island is known as the Cradle of Christianity with connections to St Aidan, St Cuthbert and the associated monasteries, cells and hermitages; the island’s association with The Golden Age of Northumbria; and the Lindisfarne Gospels. The landscape is rich in biodiversity, including very rare plant species such as the delicate and unique Lindisfarne helleborine, rich wildlife habitats (particularly for migratory and breeding birds) and high geological interest.

The Peregrini Landscape Partnership Board includes representatives of the Holy Island Community (Parish Council, Development Trust and churches), Belford and Lowick Parish Councils as well as Partners representing the Northumberland Coast AONB Partnership, Natural England, Northumberland County Council, English Heritage and the National Trust.

The Board acting chair, Dr Chris Burgess, said "This success is a testament to the resilience of the Partnership the board represents. The project will be good for Holy Island and the surrounding shore side areas as well as much of the wider community of Northumberland. While there is much work still to be done to ensure all the necessary match funding is in place, we have taken a big step with the support of HLF today and look forward to successfully completing the funding package and moving on to deliver the benefits of the project for the communities involved and the important landscape of Holy island and its adjacent shore."

Ivor Crowther, Head of the Heritage Lottery Fund North East, said: “The Island of Lindisfarne is a real haven for local wildlife and an important part of the North East’s natural heritage. To look after fantastic landscapes like Lindisfarne, we at HLF believe the way forward is to put local communities in the driving seat so they can take care of the places that are the backdrop to their daily lives. Today’s funding will make a significant contribution to this exciting project and help forge great, local partnerships that will last long into the future.”

Notes to editors

• A range of different projects are proposed including protecting historic buildings; conserving scheduled ancient monuments; protecting the extensive military defences in the area. Work on the natural landscape may include restoring and managing Whin grassland habitat; enhancing and protecting areas for shore nesting birds; and replacing the hide at the Lough.
• To date, HLF has awarded £392m to 3,126 natural heritage projects.

Further information

Rev’d Prof Paul Collins on 01289 38921 or incumbentholyisland@gmail.com / peregrinilindisfarne@gmail.com

Laura Bates, HLF press office on 020 7591 6027 / lbates@hlf.org.uk