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The Millennium Commission announced today two new Lottery grants for building on the success of Millennium projects on Edinburgh (Our Dynamic Earth) and Peterborough (the Millennium Green Wheel). Originally built on 10 acres of derelict land in the Cannongate area of Edinburgh Old Town, Our Dynamic Earth is the world’s first geological visitor centre with exciting hands-on exhibits from a real, giant iceberg to a steamy tropical rainforest. The project has now been awarded a grant of £263,500 for the creation of a sound-proofed indoor events space - ‘the O-Zone’. Our Dynamic Earth is already a popular venue for events and the new space will enable events to take place without disturbing people in the surrounding area. These events contribute income which supports the project’s wider educational work and secure its future in the long term. The new grant brings the total Millennium Commission Lottery investment to £16,578,500. The Peterborough Millennium Green Wheel is a sustainable transport system with spokes radiating into Peterborough City centre. It also includes a new visitor centre at Flag Fen dedicated to life in Britain during the Iron Age and the award-winning Shanks Millennium Bridge across the River Nene. The project has now been awarded £490,788 for a new Youth Hostel located on the Green Wheel, with a Community and Education Centre as part of the same building. The new grant brings the total Millennium Commission Lottery investment to £5,926,172. Rt Hon Tessa Jowell MP, Chair of the Millennium Commission said, “Our Dynamic Earth in Edinburgh has shown how to combine education in scientific subjects with a great day out and I am delighted that we are able to build on this legacy with an extra grant of £263,500. The Peterborough Green Wheel addresses an issue of importance to us all in the third Millennium, sustainable transport. Our new grant of £490,788 will mean that young people can not only use an environmentally sustainable transport system but also enjoy the benefits of a stay in our beautiful countryside. The Millennium Commission is now nearing the end of its grant giving life but the hundreds of Millennium projects around the country typify the benefits which Lottery funds can create.” The Millennium Commission announced its first grants in 1995 and has since provided nearly £1.3 billion to 198 capital projects across the UK. As part of the process of bringing the Commission’s activities to a close, in October 2002 the Millennium Commission decided to use remaining available funds to support enhancements to existing Millennium Projects. A total of 191 applications were received and grants awarded so far include nearly 100 new improvements to village and community facilities. -ends- Notes to Editors 1 The Millennium Commission is one of the good causes which distributes funds from the National Lottery. Its income from the Lottery ceased in August 2001 giving it a total lifetime budget of just over £2 billion.
2 The Millennium Commission has supported:
• Around 200 new buildings, environmental projects and visitor attractions on over 3,000 sites across the UK.
• Over 100 Awards Schemes which distribute Millennium Awards to individuals for community based projects. Nearly 27,000 people have already received a Millennium Award and there are still Awards available. Further information is available on 0800 06801 2000;
• A UK-wide programme of community festivals which began on New Year’s Eve 1999 and culminated on New Year’s Eve 2000 with celebrations in 32 towns and cities across the UK.;
• The Millennium Encore Scheme which is enabling at least 50,000 young people across the UK to experience performing arts productions;
• The Millennium Experience at Greenwich and the National Programme.
3 The Commission’s work is expected to be complete in 2005/6 For further information please contact the Millennium Commission Press Office on 020 7880 2007, out of hours 07775 812 820. The Millennium Commission web sites can be accessed at www.millennium.gov.uk and www.starpeople.org.uk
Millennium Commission 24th-June-2003
Categories: News, News Archive
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