Lottery funds £1.3m project to improve ‘Land of the Fanns’

Date of release: December 19, 2016

The Land of the Fanns Landscape Partnership Scheme has been granted £1.3 million from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF).

land-of-the-fanns-2The ‘Fanns’ landscape encompasses Thames Chase Community Forest on the edge of east London and south west Essex. It extends from the River Rom in the west towards Basildon in the east and from Brentwood in the north to the River Thames.

Partners celebrate National Lottery funding

The project will help to improve the quality of the local landscape and increase awareness of, and access to, the natural and cultural heritage of the area.

The partnership includes Havering Council, Barking & Dagenham Council, Thurrock Council, Brentwood Council, Essex County Council, Thames Chase Trust, Thames21, Forestry Commission and Thames Estuary Partnership.

Thanks to National Lottery players, the scheme, which will begin in April 2017, will offer exciting opportunities for local people to get involved in a variety of events and activities aimed at understanding and restoring local heritage.

Activities will range from travelling archaeology exhibitions to opportunities to learn new skills in natural, built and archaeological heritage.

There will also be a community action fund to support local community projects and an arts festival celebrating the landscape.

Stuart Hobley, Head of HLF London, said: “This fascinating project will help protect and preserve a rare and under threat working landscape which hugs the borders of London and Essex.

“With a rich history going back to the Saxons and including historic buildings and ancient monuments as well as protected species and habitats, the essence of this landscape can sometimes be under-appreciated, so we are delighted that National Lottery players’ money will help to reconnect communities with the natural heritage on their doorsteps.”

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Notes:

  • The word ‘fann’ comes from the old Saxon word for fen and refers to the historic connection of the area to a wet, marshy landscape some of which remains today for example at the Ingrebourne, Rainham Marshes and Bulphan Fen

About the Heritage Lottery Fund

Thanks to National Lottery players, we invest money to help people across the UK explore, enjoy and protect the heritage they care about – from the archaeology under our feet to the historic parks and buildings we love, from precious memories and collections to rare wildlife. www.hlf.org.uk @heritagelottery @HLFLondon

About Thames21

Thames21 is an environmental charity putting healthy rivers back at the heart of community life. Through environmental improvements, education, research and advocacy efforts, Thames21 is inspiring and influencing effective and lasting change by working hand-in-hand with communities to deliver tangible and measurable improvements for urban rivers.

www.thames21.org.uk | Registered Charity No. 1103997

Media Contact

Ian Lamont

Communications Manager at Thames21

Ian.Lamont@thames21.org.uk

07739 627 667

020 7248 7171