~ Commonwealth War Graves Commission ~
In 2014, a four year project, supported by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, Historic Scotland, and the War Memorials Trust, was launched at “The Hub” at the top of Edinburgh’s historic High Street. It’s function was to highlight the need to repair and conserve the War memorials, both big and small, one hundred years after WW1
I was honoured to be one of the guest speakers: talking about the need to conserve the Nation’s War Memorials in stained glass.
Scotland – Historic Environment Scotland
Historic Environment Scotland (formerly Historic Scotland) has supported war memorials since 2008 through schemes managed on its behalf by War Memorials Trust.
From 2008-13 Historic Scotland made funds available through the Trust’s Small Grants Scheme for projects in Scotland. Then, in 2013, the Centenary Memorials Restoration Fund was launched making £1 million available to support the repair and conservation of war memorials in Scotland through the centenary of World War I. From 2019, Historic Environment Scotland is again making funds available through War Memorials Trust Grants Scheme.
Current funding in Scotland
- makes funds available for repair and conservation works
- promotes best conservation practice. Historic Environment Scotland’s Short Guide ‘The repair and maintenance of war memorials’ gives detailed advice on repair and conservation principles which underlie the scheme
- prioritises funding based on the need for works and their urgency
- is managed by War Memorials Trust so anyone interested in applying for funding should start by reviewing the Apply for a grant section and completing a Grants Pre-application form
The Centenary Memorials Restoration Fund 2013-18
- was announced by the Scottish Government in January 2013 making £1 million available between April 2013 and March 2018 to help communities undertake repair and conservation work to war memorials in Scotland
- sought to facilitate repair and conservation works through its grants and act as a catalyst for action. Historic Environment Scotland’s Short Guide ‘The repair and maintenance of war memorials’ provided advice on the repair and conservation principles which underpinned the scheme
- promoted current best conservation practice. This was a key principle at the heart of the scheme to ensure no works are damaging to a memorial and ensure it is maintained for future generations.
- was open to all war memorials of any type, from any conflict
- prioritised funding based on the need for works and their urgency
- was managed by a War Memorials Trust Conservation Officer based in Scotland
- received applications via standard War Memorials Trust channels
