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Cumbria’s Museum of Military Life has been awarded £244,948 from The National Lottery Heritage fund to help transform how the Museum cares for and shares its collections, to safeguard them for the future. The ‘Down to Brass Tacks’ project will recruit and train volunteers to work alongside staff to undertake a collections inventory, digitising records, condition checking, repacking and researching objects to provide a sustainable framework for future development.
With over 19,000 objects that highlight the local military story, the Museum will check all objects sharing details through social media and talks showcasing our journey over the next three years. The funding will enable the Museum to employ a project co-ordinator and volunteer co-ordinator to work with the existing staff team to complete the inventory and strengthen our volunteer offer. We are keen to work with the local community and veterans on this project.
Jules Wooding, Museum Manager said: ‘As a focal point for the local infantry regiment, the Museum is excited to be embarking on an ambitious project to protect and preserve our collections for the future. In this Remembrance season, it is wonderful to think that thanks to National Lottery players we will be able to undertake this important work to remember the soldiers from the past and ensure that our collections are accessible for all in the future.’
The Colonel of The Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment, Brigadier Rob Singleton, said: ‘Our heritage really matters to us, and this award is fantastic news. The Museum does a fantastic job of looking after our rich and varied heritage – and providing a focal point for the Regiment in Cumbria. This grant is hugely appreciated: it protects our heritage, helps to connect the modern-day Regiment with both our forebears and our current recruiting area.’
Helen Featherstone, Director, England, North at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: ‘We’re thrilled to be supporting Cumbria’s Museum of Military Life thanks to money raised by National Lottery players. It’s wonderful news that the collection will be safeguarded for future generations and this important heritage will be shared with a wider audience.’
About The National Lottery Heritage Fund
Our vision is for heritage to be valued, cared for and sustained for everyone, now and in the future. That’s why as the largest funder for the UK’s heritage we are dedicated to supporting projects that connect people and communities to heritage, as set out in our strategic plan, Heritage 2033. Heritage can be anything from the past that people value and
want to pass on to future generations. We believe in the power of heritage to ignite the imagination, offer joy and inspiration, and to build pride in place and connection to the past.
Over the next 10 years, we aim to invest £3.6billion raised for good causes by National Lottery players to make a decisive difference for people, places and communities.
Follow @HeritageFundUK on Twitter/X, Facebook and Instagram and use #NationalLottery #HeritageFund
Further information
For further information, images and interviews please contact:
Jules Wooding, Museum Manager
T: 01228 532774 | E: jules.wooding@cmoml.org
Cumbria’s Museum of Military Life, Alma Block, The Castle, Carlisle CA3 8URwww.CumbriasMuseumofMilitaryLife.org
