Our Coast, Our Sea - Holy Island of Lindisfarne Community Development Trust wins Heritage Lottery Fund support

1 August 2011

Holy Island of Lindisfarne Community Development Trust wins Heritage Lottery Fund support

Holy Island of Lindisfarne Community Development Trust has received an earmarked first-round pass from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) through its Landscape Partnership (LP) programme for the Peregrini Lindisfarne project, it was announced today.

The project aims to protect and enhance the Holy Island of Lindisfarne by reconnecting the community’s relationship with their land and seascapes, heritage and history, making the area a better place to work, live and visit. Development funding of £98,800 has also been awarded to help Holy Island of Lindisfarne Community Development Trust progress their plans to apply for a full grant at a later date. The Trust heads up a Board of partners in the project, comprised also of representatives of the Parish Council, Northumberland County Council, Natural England, English Heritage, National Trust, North Northumberland Tourism Association and Northumberland Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Partnership.

The project name, Peregrini Lindisfarne, was chosen to remind us of the monks and other devout itinerants who, in search of wilderness and tranquillity, built monasteries and cells on remote islands such as Lindisfarne. These people were known as Peregrini – it gives us the word Pilgrim, thousands of whom regularly visit this area.

The cultural heritage of the island is integral to the area. Holy Island is known as the Cradle of Christianity with connections to St Aidan, St Cuthbert and the associated monasteries, cells and hermitages; the island’s association with The Golden Age of Northumbria; and the Lindisfarne Gospels. The landscape is also rich in biodiversity, including very rare plant species such as the delicate Lindisfarne helleborine, rich wildlife habitats (particularly for migratory and breeding birds) and high geological interest.

Dick Patterson from Holy Island of Lindisfarne Community Development Trust said:

“We’re thrilled that the Heritage Lottery Fund has given us this support. I didn’t quite believe it when I was told the news. It is wonderful for the island, the development trust, the community and all the people who come to Holy Island every year.”

Ivor Crowther, Head of the Heritage Lottery Fund in the North East, said:
“The Island of Lindisfarne is a haven for local wildlife and an important part of the North East’s natural heritage which is why we are so pleased to be giving our initial support for this project that plans to conserve this beautiful landscape for the future. People are at the heart of HLF projects, so it’s a real plus that the local community will be driving forward this project to help the wider public learn more about Lindisfarne’s fascinating history.”