Volunteer groups and individuals in and around Edinburgh, who contribute to Scotland’s historic environment, are being asked to step forward and make themselves known, as entries for the Scottish Heritage Angel Awards 2016 opened on Friday (10th June).
Now in its second year, the awards scheme, funded by the Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation, celebrates the important efforts of volunteers or ‘Angels’ in helping to better understand, protect and value Scotland’s heritage and history.
Andrew Lloyd Webber, whose charity established the Scottish Heritage Angel Awards, said: “I am passionate about saving heritage for future generations. After a successful and inspiring first year, I’m thrilled my Foundation can help the Scottish Heritage Angel Awards return and recognise everyone who is working tirelessly to preserve their heritage. I urge those of you who are involved in saving heritage at risk to come forward and let us celebrate your achievements.”
Last year’s inaugural awards saw over 80 nominations being received for heritage volunteers across the length and breadth of the country. The initiative, the first of its kind in Scotland, highlighted a range of worthwhile voluntary projects, activities and individuals. Amongst those to be named a ‘Heritage Angel’ at the inaugural awards, last year, were three Edinburgh-based volunteer groups and individuals including the volunteers behind the Scottish Waterways Trust canal college project, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and an individual who dedicated more than 20 years to Scotland’s archaeology field.
This year’s awards will also take the opportunity to recognise the valuable contributions that young people make to the wider historic environment, with a new category for 2016. Entries are now being welcomed for the Young Heritage Angel Award, along with the returning categories.
The five Scottish Heritage Angel Awards categories are:
- Investigating and Recording
- Caring and Protecting
- Sharing and Celebrating
- Young Heritage Angel Award
- Lifetime Contribution to the Historic Environment
The open for entries announcement follows on from new research findings*, published earlier this month, that show the scale and scope of volunteering within Scotland’s historic environment. Commissioned by Historic Environment Scotland and Built Environment Forum Scotland (BEFS), it revealed that last year alone, over 17,000 heritage volunteers clocked up 121,000 days’ worth of voluntary work.
Volunteers in and around Edinburgh have from now until Friday 12th August to enter. Winners will be announced at the second annual Scottish Heritage Angel Awards ceremony, which will take place in Edinburgh, in October.
John Pelan, Director of the Scottish Civic Trust, said: “We’re pleased to once again be able to invite nominations and entries for this truly unique awards initiative. We hope to build on the great success of last year’s first ever Scottish Heritage Angel Awards. As part of this year’s scheme, we’re welcoming entries for our new for 2016 category, the Young Heritage Angel Award, which seeks to acknowledge and celebrate the contributions that young people make to our historic environment.
“This awards programme showcases the wonderful history and heritage that is held in communities across Scotland. Whilst, and importantly, recognising and celebrating the valuable contributions that some of the country’s 17,100 heritage volunteers make to help us better understand, protect and value our heritage.
“We look forward to seeing this year’s submissions and I’m personally excited to discover more about the individuals and groups behind a range of projects and activities, which actively contribute to Scotland’s wider historic environment.”
The awards are delivered in partnership with the Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation, Historic Environment Scotland, Scottish Civic Trust, Archaeology Scotland and the Scottish Government. They also support the delivery of Scotland’s historic environment strategy – Our Place in Time,which places a strong focus on supporting and enabling community participation and engagement across the historic environment.
Applications for the 2016 Scottish Heritage Angel Awards are now open. For full details on how to enter, or nominate someone else, for an Angel Award please visit www.scottishheritageangelawards.org.uk
You can find out about the 2015 inaugural Scottish Heritage Angel Award Shortlist and Winners here.
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