The Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle is delighted to announce that it has been awarded a Scoping Grant via the National Archives to assist in ‘Unlocking Catholic Heritage.’
The Archives Revealed Scoping Grant programme is funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, the Pilgrim Trust, the Wolfson Foundation and The National Archives.
Grants are awarded to fund reports that offer expert advice on a range of areas relating to the development and management of collections.
The Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle collection preserves more than four centuries of Catholic life in the North East and includes correspondence, parish and mission records, education documents and minutes from Catholic societies and charities.
It offers a fascinating insight into how the Church has shaped, and been shaped by, the communities it serves.
The grant will be used to gain a clearer picture of the archive’s content, condition and priorities for development. This will lay the groundwork for future cataloguing, preservation and access ensuring that these records can be better understood and shared.
Bishop Stephen Wright commented;
“This project will be an important step in opening up an archive of regional and national significance. By assessing what we hold and what it needs, we can plan effectively for its long‑term care and make it accessible to future generations.”
