The Sustainable Development Fund (SDF) has funded a wide range of projects aimed at protecting the built and cultural heritage of the National Park. Below are a few examples of recently funded projects.
Sedbergh and District History Society Website
A SDF grant of £6,000 has helped Sedbergh and District History Society to develop a new website and archives catalogue. They have been collecting material for over 40 years and making this available to the public via the History Room in Sedbergh Community Office. The Society had a website that was originally set up in 2006 which had become outdated. They are now digitising various materials to a modern specification and will make them accessible in a central location. This will involve extensive cataloguing by the Society’s volunteers. The new website they have created offers an online accessible resource hub. It has information that connects people with the past by providing a record of the area’s social and economic history.
Other completed projects
- Installation of stainless steel safety panels along the length of Smardale Viaduct which is a Listed Building, Northern Viaduct Trust – £10,000
- Creation of a dual use for St Mary’s Church, Arkengarthdale. The space will including a community meeting area that is accessible with its own kitchen. This will operate alongside the primary use of the building as a place of worship – £10,000
- Restoration of the surface deck of Smardale Gill viaduct. The viaduct is a Grade II* Listed structure managed by the Northern Viaduct Trust – £15,000
- Improvements to the facilities at St Michael’s & All Angels Church, Linton. The new facilities include a kitchen, disabled toilet and baby changing area – £7,500
- Renovation of a former lead mining ore cart on High Green in Langthwaite – £895