A new heritage initiative will celebrate communities and local nature, “TreeStory: The Story of Wigan Through its Trees”, funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Awarded almost £50,000 (£49,800), the generous grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund is essential to the realisation of this project. Focusing on The Flashes of Wigan and Leigh National Nature Reserve (NNR), a site of significant ecological, historical, and community value reclaimed from industrial use – the initiative could not have happened without the support of the National Lottery and its players.
The 18-month long project aims to celebrate, preserve, and connect new communities with this unique heritage and is due to commence in April 2025.
Building on the success of an initial programme in the Liverpool City Region, also funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, the project will deliver a diverse programme of activities, including workshops,school visits,tree planting and an outdoor photography exhibition
Sarah Fisher, Director of Open Eye Gallery, stated, “This initiative represents an outstanding opportunity to celebrate and preserve our local natural and industrial heritage while engaging communities in a meaningful way. Through our collaborative approach with dot-art and Wigan Council, and with the vital support of The National Lottery Heritage Fund, we are committed to ensuring that this distinctive heritage site continues to inspire and benefit future generations.”
Councillor Chris Ready, cabinet portfolio holder for communities, added,
“The funding of £49,800 from the National Lottery Heritage Fund has been instrumental in enabling us to launch this diverse programme of events and activities. We are really proud to be the home of The Flashes of Wigan and Leigh NNR, the first in Greater Manchester, and this project will enhance the offer at this incredible place, welcoming more people, schools and communities to enjoy and learn about the amazing nature on our doorstep.”
This latest grant is not the first time that The National Lottery Heritage Fund has supported work in The Flashes of Wigan and Leigh NNR. The Heritage Fund supported the wider The Carbon Landscape Project that completed in 2022, and the Fenscape element of it created, improved and connected a corridor of fen habitats and other similar wetlands across the Flashes, and completed essential works and volunteer engagement to improve the area for wildlife and for everyone to enjoy. This Fenscape element of the Carbon Landscape was also instrumental in the Flashes being declared as a National Nature Reserve.
