Heritage Angel Awards Northern Ireland is funded by the Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation and the Department for Communities, is administered by the Ulster Architectural Heritage Society. The Awards seek to celebrate the efforts of people who go to extraordinary lengths to protect, save and share their local heritage. They also recognise those who champion their local heritage by sharing and practising forgotten craft skills. In addition they celebrate young people, recognising their efforts to learn about heritage.
The Awards have been running successfully in England and Scotland for a number of years and a set of categories have been introduced this year to run concurrently in the three regions. They are:
- Best Rescue of a Historic Building
- Best Contribution to a Heritage Project by Young People (25 and under)
- Best Craftsperson or Apprentice on a Heritage Rescue or Repair Project
- Best Rescue, Recording or Interpretation of a Historic Place
Nominations or applications are now open and will close on Tuesday 15th August.
A team of heritage experts will have the tough task of whittling down shortlists for each category and a panel of judges will choose the eventual winners who will be announced at the Heritage Angels Awards NI ceremony on Tuesday 7th November at the Grand Opera House, Belfast.
An award winner for each category will then move forward to represent Northern Ireland for the chance to be crowned overall Heritage Angel at a high profile ceremony on Monday 20th November at the Palace Theatre, London.
Nicola McVeigh, Chief Executive, Ulster Architectural Heritage Society:
“UAHS is delighted to launch the Heritage Angel Awards in Northern Ireland and welcomes support for this from the Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation and the Department for Communities Historic Environment Division.
Heritage Angel Awards will for the first time, on a Northern Ireland scale, acknowledge and award those who make a real difference to the protection and conservation of our valuable, irreplaceable architectural and archaeological heritage.
The awards will recognise important work for the care and protection of our important heritage assets. By highlighting achievement we hope to inspire many more people to get involved in heritage projects.”
Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber:
“Protecting architectural heritage is a vital part of cultural life. Architecture is the most vulnerable art form and one that I have been passionate about all my life. I’m delighted my Foundation can support the Heritage Angel Awards in Northern Ireland and shine a spotlight on those who have made a significant contribution towards protecting the country’s heritage. By raising awareness of the impact individuals can have, our aim is to inspire others to get involved and work together to save and protect Northern Ireland’s heritage for our future generations.”
Iain Greenway, Director, Historic Environment Division, Department for Communities:
“Our heritage is a source of great pride with huge potential to contribute to our economy through tourism and the construction industry, and to community wellbeing and vitality. It is therefore vital that we work together to ensure that our heritage is valued and highlighted to allow it to achieve its maximum potential. While we have limited funds available through the Historic Environment Fund, the Department is very pleased to be associated with this initiative which I believe will help stimulate action in raising awareness of how our heritage can bring benefits now and into the future.”
To find out more on how to apply or nominate, visit the UAHS Heritage Angel Awards website here.
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