Stephen McPartland MP welcomes £3.5 million investment and encourages local groups to apply for more grants, to explore the legacy of the First World War, from the Heritage Lottery Fund. Stephen McPartland MP, said, "Stevenage's heritage has benefited from over £3.5 million of National Lottery investment.

"Recently a grant was given for a project "Who is Gordon Craig?", who was crucial to the development of modern theatre. Our own, fantastic Gordon Craig Theatre now has a permanent exhibit in the foyer as part of that project. Sadly, Stevenage Borough Council plans to demolish the Theatre in their latest local plan, which is opposed by myself and the local community.

"I am delighted that the Heritage Lottery Fund is making money available to help communities explore the impact and legacy of the First World War beyond 1918. The grants available of £3,000 to £10,000 can help the wealth of local stories to be discovered, whether looking at the role the war played in bringing about universal suffrage; the introduction of daylight saving; or the mechanisation of agriculture."

The Heritage Lottery Fund has awarded more than 32 grants to heritage projects in our area, from exploring local archaeology and restoring local parks and buildings to protecting wildlife and researching local history, amounting to £3,595,471 million since 1994.

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