Feature

A helping hand for heritage

Since 1980, the UK’s National Heritage Memorial Fund has been safeguarding significant heritage at risk of loss. New archaeological finds declared as Treasure, works of art being sold to overseas buyers, historic buildings, and even an island home for puffins all come under the NHMF’s remit, with the various items they support serving as a memorial to those who have died for the UK. As the government-funded NHMF celebrated its 40th anniversary, Lucia Marchini spoke to Vanessa Wells to learn more about its achievements over the decades.

Minerva Magazine

February 17, 2021

Following early positions at Historic England and the British Museum, Vanessa Wells moved to hold a variety of roles at the National Lottery Heritage Fund. Initially working on grant awards for the North East and Major Grant awards, she moved to manage the Collecting Cultures programme and support the Fund’s policy work for the museum, library, and archive sectors. Having had a longstanding involvement in managing the National Heritage Memorial Fund, Vanessa is now Head of NHMF and this forms the focus of her work. The NHMF has given grants for the acquisition of such a variety of objects and artworks. How do you choose what to support? We do have such a huge variety

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