A joint venture between Lincolnshire-based learning disability charity, Linkage Community Trust, and Lincoln Council to restore one of the city’s parks has been awarded £2.7million from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) and the Big Lottery Fund (BIG).

The funding will see a former coaching house/stable block being restored and converted into an education centre, and the construction of an innovative, straw-build café and shop at the 50-acre Boultham Park. A hi-specification glasshouse will be used as a base to deliver NVQ qualifications in horticulture. Key features in the park such as the bandstand, fountain and sundial will also be restored.

Linkage’s Business Development Director, Jane Howson, who has led this project, says: “We are delighted for our residents and members of the local community who will all benefit from this fantastically exciting project.”
 
Caroline Pritchard, Community Manager at City of Lincoln Council, says: “We are thrilled to have the opportunity to restore this special park, and through doing so to make it more accessible and welcoming, and bring its fascinating history to life.”

Carole Souter, Chief Executive of HLF, said on behalf of HLF and BIG: “We’re delighted to be able to provide this much needed support for Boultham Park, when it could not be more needed. Many public parks are really suffering in the current economic climate so this is particularly good news for Lincoln. Parks are important to all of us and add so much to our quality of life. Boultham Park will help to bring the local community together and now, we can help to secure its future.”

Work is due to start in the Autumn and will take two years to complete. Further details about the project can be found on the Boultham Park website.

Notes to editors

Today’s second-round pass award is from the Parks for People programme which has a two-round application process. The full grant has now been awarded following a successful second-round application from this park.

The Parks for People programme uses Lottery funds to support the regeneration, conservation and increased enjoyment of public parks and cemeteries. The programme aims to improve the local environment and put parks and cemeteries firmly back at the heart of community life. In England the two Lottery Funds have been working in partnership from 2006 to deliver a multi-million pound investment in public parks of £150m. Over the period 2006-2013 the Big Lottery Fund (BIG) has committed up to £92m (in England only) and HLF has committed £140m to public parks across the UK.

HLF is continuing to fund public park projects in 2013/14 with an investment of £24m each year. The next closing date for applications is 31 August 2013. Go to the programme page for details. The Big Lottery Fund (BIG) remains committed to working in partnership with the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) in making a success of the Parks for People programme and will allocate £10m in 2013/14.

The Big Lottery Fund, the largest of the National Lottery good cause distributors, has been rolling out grants to health, education, environment and charitable causes across the UK since its inception in June 2004. It was established by Parliament on 1 December 2006.

Love Parks Week is taking place this year from 27 July to 4 August 2013.

Linkage Community Trust is a national charity based in Lincolnshire, which delivers high-quality specialist education, care and employment support services to learning disabled people. Its 36-year history has established Linkage as a major provider in delivering flexible services, which promote personal autonomy, independence and achievement. The aim is to ensure that learning disabled people have the same rights and opportunities for inclusion, fulfilment and feeling valued in society as everyone else. For more information go to the Linkage website or follow us on Twitter @linkagect

Further information

Tony Barker, Communications and Marketing Manager Linkage Community Trust on 01522 507 218 or tony.barker@linkage.org.uk