The shortlist for the Scottish Heritage Angel Awards 2017 has been revealed. Among the twelve finalists are the Apprentice Guides from the National Mining Museum Scotland (NMMS), who have been shortlisted for the Best Contribution to a Heritage Project by a Young Person award.
NMMS, based at the Lady Victoria Colliery in Newtongrange, worked in partnership with Gore Glen Primary School’s Primary 6 & 7 class to create a brand new tour of the five star visitor attraction. Seven pupils worked with museum staff to create the tour, which was performed for other schools from across Midlothian.
Victoria Robb, Education Manager at NMMS, said: “For NMMS, Gore Glen Primary School and the Apprentice Guides, being shortlisted for a Scottish Heritage Angel Award is a huge honour and consolidates all the hard work the children have put in to the project – from memorising historical facts, learning everything about the safety lamp, to performing in front of hundreds of adults and children. Being shortlisted is a great accomplishment for these children and something they will remember forever.”
Launched in 2014 with funding from the Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation (ALWF), and run by the Scottish Civic Trust in partnership with Historic Environment Scotland, Archaeology Scotland and the Scottish Government, the Scottish Heritage Angel Awards celebrates both groups and individuals who have gone above and beyond in their efforts to promote, protect and, in many cases, rescue Scotland’s heritage.
The Apprentice Guides will now join the other finalists at the Scottish Heritage Angels Awards ceremony on Monday 16th October at the Assembly Rooms in Edinburgh, where the overall winner in each of the four categories will be announced.
John Pelan, Director of the Scottish Civic Trust, said:” We received many wonderful nominations for individuals and groups right across the country. The scale of their achievements in recording and celebrating local heritage and rescuing historic buildings and sites is truly inspiring.
“Many of the people behind these projects are volunteers and give up their time and energy freely, overcoming many challenges, while discovering and sharing new skills. It is particularly rewarding to learn about the achievements of young people and apprentices, who are sure to be the guardians of our historic environment in the future.
“Our judges now have the task of finding our overall winners. I’m looking forward to celebrating the success and hard work of all our finalists on 16th October.”
The panel of judges will include: author and broadcaster Vanessa Collingridge; architect and Vice-Chair of Scottish Civic Trust Ed Taylor; CEO of Volunteer Scotland George Thomas; and Taylor Dickinson, member of Scotland’s Urban Past Youth Forum.
Alex Paterson, Chief Executive of Historic Environment Scotland, said: “All over Scotland, groups, individuals, volunteers and professionals involved in heritage projects are at the heart of local communities, working tirelessly to protect, preserve and promote our historic environment.
“It’s important we recognise their vital contributions, and The Scottish Heritage Angel Awards are an opportunity to shine a spotlight on their accomplishments and celebrate the difference they make.
“The final shortlist demonstrates the diversity and value of heritage projects throughout the country, and I’d like to congratulate all the finalists on their achievements.”
The Scottish Heritage Angel Awards run parallel to Heritage Angel Awards in England and Northern Ireland. This year, an overall winner from the three award schemes will be selected and crowned at the London ceremony on Monday 20th November.
Andrew Lloyd Webber, whose charitable foundation helped found the Heritage Angel Awards, said: “I’m delighted to champion the people who protect the precious buildings and places around us. Everyone who has been shortlisted for a Scottish Heritage Angel Award has made a significant difference to our landscape and built environment. Congratulations to all of them! This year I am especially pleased that we are crowning an overall UK winner for the first time, showcasing the crucial work that is being done across the country by local heritage heroes.”
Full details of the shortlist for the Scottish Heritage Angel Awards 2017 can be viewed at www.scottishheritageangelawards.org.uk.
Keep up to date with the latest from the Scottish Heritage Angel Awards on Twitter at @ScotAngelAwards.
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