Good news for the heritage

The National Heritage Memorial Fund (NHMF) has today welcomed the news that its grant-in-aid will remain at the current increased level of £10million per annum until 2011. This news comes as a result of the Government’s recent Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR).

Commenting on the CSR settlement which will see the NHMF receiving £10 million a year from the Culture Department for the next three years, Culture Secretary James Purnell, said "The NHMF is an essential element in our heritage protection regime, making a fantastic contribution to so many cultural fund raising campaigns. Their experience and expertise in this field, together with the speed of their response when needed, has made them truly indispensable. This three year funding deal ensures that the Fund will be able to continue being so."

Carole Souter, Director of NHMF, commented “This is extremely welcome news. The sector desperately needs this funding, particularly as demand for support from the National Heritage Memorial Fund continues to be so high. Known as the fund of last resort, the NHMF was created in memory of people who made the ultimate sacrifice. From paintings to landscapes to tanks, the range of exceptional heritage NHMF can help save will remain a forceful tribute for many generations to come.”

NHMF’s annual budget from the Government was doubled to £10million in April 2007 and this increase came at a vital time as demand for support from NHMF continues to far outstrip its resources. Since the beginning of this financial year, NHMF’s Trustees have already considered applications totalling more than £15million.

NHMF has played a key part in the UK's cultural life for over 27 years. The range of national treasures the Fund has helped save recently includes: the Wilshere Collection of Late Roman gold glass and sculpture; Turner’s watercolour masterpiece, The Blue Rigi; an outstanding 2,000-year-old gold choker, the Newark Torc; and Dumfries House and its contents in Ayrshire received a £7million grant - one of the UK’s most important 18th-century classical houses. 

Notes to editors

The National Heritage Memorial Fund (NHMF) is the ‘fund of last resort’ for the nation’s heritage, coming to the rescue by funding emergency acquisitions in memory of those who gave their lives for this country.

Further information

Dervish Mertcan or Alex Gaskell at NHMF’s press officers.
Phone: 020 7591 6102 / 6032     Mobile: 07973 613820