£20,000 Lottery grant for heritage youths (From Dorset Echo)
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£20,000 Lottery grant for heritage youths
1:30pm Wednesday 6th March 2013 in News By Harry Hogger
GRANT: Dorset’s MYPs and deputies, from left, Natasha Glendening, Moya Dunne, James Jones, Eve Laird, James Morphakis and Lloyd Hatton
YOUNG people will celebrate the heroes of Dorset’s heritage after receiving Lottery funding.
Members of the UK Youth Parliament (MYPs) in the South West have received a grant of £20,600 from the Heritage Lottery Fund for their Heritage Heroes project.
The money will be used to create an archive of films and recordings about people in the history of the region who have campaigned for change in their communities and politics.
Youngsters in Dorset will be working with the TUC at the Tolpuddle Martyrs Museum to look into the agricultural labourers’ story.
They will also look across the border into Somerset and those behind a petition to Parliament against slavery in the 1780s as well as the Suffragettes movement.
Thomas Hardye School student and MYP Lloyd Hatton, 17, said: “I’m interested to find out more about the Tolpuddle Martyrs in Dorset and how they campaigned in secret to get better workers’ rights.”
Deputy MYP James Morphakis, 13, who attends Osmond’s Middle School, said: “I’m looking forward to starting the project and have already learned that when looking at history and heritage heroes there’s always more to the story and that we should think outside the box to create a clear picture of the truth.”
Regional secretary of the TUC Nigel Costley said his organisation was happy to help with the project.
He said: “The TUC is delighted to help members of the Youth Parl-iament to explore how to influence change and explore points of view.”
The Parliamen-tary Outreach Service will also be involved.
Its officer Naomi Kent said: “The Heritage Heroes project is a fantastic initiative, which will ensure that young people understand the importance of democracy. “Many people, especially women, have fought for their right to vote, and young people must carry on this legacy.
Richard Bellamy, the Heritage Lottery Fund’s acting head of South West, added: “We’re delighted to be able to support the Heritage Heroes project, which will enable young people to learn more about the events and individuals that shaped our political past.”
