National Lottery support gained for Emirates Old Trafford heritage site
Lancashire Cricket Foundation gains support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund for plans to transform Emirates Old Trafford into year-round heritage site.
Lancashire Cricket Foundation, in partnership with Lancashire Cricket, has received initial support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund to develop the Lancashire Cricket Heritage Experience, it was announced today. Made possible by National Lottery players, the project aims to safeguard, promote and celebrate the sporting and cultural heritage of Lancashire Cricket and cricket across Lancashire, highlighting the pivotal role the Club has played in the community for over 160 years.
Development funding of £176,650 has been awarded by the Heritage Fund to help the Lancashire Cricket Foundation progress plans and apply for a delivery grant of £2,105,350 at a later date.
Established in 1857, Emirates Old Trafford is the second oldest Test Match venue in England and has hosted international cricket since 1884. Over 160 years, the iconic venue has changed, evolved and hosted many memorable games and events, including Jim Laker’s record 19-wicket Ashes haul for England against Australia in 1956, Sachin Tendulkar’s maiden Test Century in 1990 and, away from cricket, the One Love Concert in 2017 - to remember and support the victims of the Manchester Arena bombing.
The project’s core is a brand-new interactive heritage hub, trail, outreach and educational programme which will bring to life Lancashire Cricket’s heritage through immersive technology, interactive displays, oral histories and hands on exhibits. It will connect thousands of people across the region through an innovative programme of sustained activities, exhibitions and events across hundreds of schools, grassroots cricket clubs and communities.
‘Batting across time’ Image showing proposed accessible cricket interactive with animated re-enactments of historic and current Lancashire County Cricket players. Credit – Creative Core and Lancashire Cricket Club.
Cricket has the ability to inspire people of all ages, its heritage connecting the young and older generations and bringing communities together in a shared passion. Lancashire’s historical cricket story resonates with people and communities across the county, many of which reflect the people and societal changes through the decades. Through this project, Lancashire Cricket Foundation will engage with local, regional, national and international communities that would not normally visit traditional museum and heritage offers, increasing access to heritage.
Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, said: "The support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund is great news for the region's cultural offer. The benefits of developing a new cultural attraction at Lancashire Cricket, an iconic Greater Manchester sporting asset, will be significant. I’m pleased that the project will specifically target and remove barriers for key communities across Greater Manchester, both at the Hub and through the outreach programme. As a result, many of our residents will be engaged in and exposed to heritage for the very first time along with all the social benefits that brings.
"The success of this project will contribute to making Great Manchester a great place to visit and will improve wellbeing for the region’s 2.8 million residents."
Another priority of the project is to widen inclusion and participation in heritage. This will be achieved through providing public access to the significant Lancashire Cricket archive items, together with supporting media and film in an imaginative, interactive experience.
Volunteers, local groups and schools will be able to take part in the project through events and training opportunities, allowing even more people to enjoy and play a part in Lancashire Cricket’s heritage.
Sandy Mitchell, Head of Heritage and Community Wellbeing for Lancashire Cricket Foundation said: “We are thrilled that the Lancashire Cricket Foundation, in partnership with Lancashire Cricket, has been awarded this initial support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.”
“Thanks to National Lottery players we can now develop our plans to create a purpose-built interactive Heritage Hub and vibrant outreach programme and engage new and diverse audiences through an innovative range of community focussed activities as well as serve the interests of existing Members and supporters.
“The next 12 months will provide an exciting opportunity to develop and deliver our plans to ensure we have maximum impact and make a significant difference to those individuals and communities we work with.
“Lancashire Cricket has a beautifully unique history. Through this project, we will ensure it is celebrated and preserved for generations to come.”
Helen Featherstone, Director, England, North at The National Lottery Heritage Fund said: “We are delighted to support Lancashire Cricket Foundation with the initial phase of this project. Thanks to National Lottery players, this project will connect people with our sporting heritage by improving access to the unique archive with a tangible visitor experience. With our funding, we want to ensure heritage is cared for and valued now and for the future, and this work will do just that.”
Proposed gallery view of Lancashire County Cricket timeline, hands-on interactives, digital displays and the wealth of collections and community artefacts that will be on display. Credit – Creative Core and Lancashire Cricket Club.
About The National Lottery Heritage Fund
The National Lottery Heritage Fund is the largest funder for the UK’s heritage. Using money raised by National Lottery players we support projects that connect people and communities to heritage. Our vision is for heritage to be valued, cared for and
sustained for everyone, now and in the future. From historic buildings, our industrial legacy and the natural environment, to collections, traditions, stories and more. 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. For more information visit heritagefund.org.uk