In October 2007 the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) announced the award of a £49,200 grant to the Ulster History Circle to carry out a five-year programme of activities designed to boost awareness of the contribution made by men and women associated with Northern Ireland who have distinguished themselves in their fields. The announcement co-incided with the unveiling of a Blue Plaque to the celebrated Novelist Charles Lever in Portstewart, itself partly funded by the grant. Doreen Corcoran, Chairman of the Circle, said: "We are delighted that the Fund has provided us with the means to carry through our plans. While we will continue to depend on City and District Councils and others to grant aid individual plaques, this grant will allow us to expand our activities to increase awareness, both regionally and internationally, of the contribution that eminent men and women have made to history of the province, the nation and the world, and to the richness of our heritage." Commenting on the award Caroline Marshall, HLF Committee Member, said: "Education projects like this one are a great way of making sure that as many people as possible can benefit from lottery funding and learn about the heritage that exists all around them and is part of their lives today." The grant will fund six activities - 1. Commemorative Plaques To research and erect 50 Commemorative Plaques in honour of men and women who have made significant contributions to the advancement of ideas and the benefit of society, particularly in such fields as the arts and sciences, industry, religion, sport and public and community service. 2. Dictionary of Ulster Biography To research, compile, document and maintain on its own website an up-to-date Dictionary of Ulster Biography. 3. Outreach Programme To develop a comprehensive Outreach Programme connecting with schools, universities and other educational institutions, local history societies, community development organisations, tourism interests and museum and arts organisations to create wider involvement, interest and direct, co-operative participation in our work. 4. Blue Plaque Guide and Leaflets To work pro-actively with the Tourist Board and other organisations to promote the plaques and the associated resources as a social and cultural tourism asset for the entire community and visitors and to stimulate interest in the individuals commemorated by means of associated publications, tours, visits, lectures and seminars. 5. Ulster History Circle Website To exploit ongoing trends and developments in multi-media technology to maintain and further develop the Ulster History Circle Website as an easily accessible resource for the entire Northern Ireland community and a stimulus for tourists and others interested in exploring our history and heritage. 6. Tourism To work pro-actively with the Tourist Board and other organisations to promote the plaques and the associated resources as a social and cultural tourism asset for the entire community and visitors and to stimulate interest in the individuals commemorated by means of associated publications, tours, visits, lectures and seminars |