Waterlinks Somerset

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WATERLINKS: INVINCIBLE DESPITE FAILURE TO REACH TV FINAL FOR £50MILLION

Somerset’s bid to win £50million of funding from the Big Lottery Fund has been unsuccessful, as today (Tuesday 23 October) Waterlinks was informed that it has failed to reach the final stage of ‘The People’s £50million Contest’.

Waterlinks is a project that has been born out of a strong partnership. It results from the combined work of five councils and a supporting Trust from Somerset, and as such, many of the projects are still expected to go ahead although the timeframe will need adjusting.

Chair of Waterlinks, Anne Fraser, said: “Of course we are disappointed that we didn’t make it through to the final TV vote, but with all the work that has gone into the bid and the considerably higher profile that Waterlinks and the county now has, I am confident that we will be able to find sufficient funding, and backing, to ensure that many of the projects do come to fruition.”

To view the Waterlinks video please download the free Adobe Flash Player

The aim of Waterlinks is to unlock the potential of the region’s wetlands and water heritage – bringing economic regeneration, inward investment and sustainable tourism to the county. It combines more than 20 schemes which focus around four hubs – Taunton, Bridgwater, Glastonbury and Langport –regenerating waterways and revitalising riverfronts, whilst enhancing wildlife habitats and developing iconic landmarks.

Anne Fraser continued: “The Waterlinks project has already brought together communities and united the county, and we don’t want to loose this momentum. Waterlinks can still become a reality for some areas within Somerset – although it may now take a little longer. However we are not defeated.

“I would like to thank everyone who has shown their support for the project – including all of our official sponsors and high-profile celebrity endorsers. This is first and foremost a community project and without everyone’s involvement and enthusiasm we would never have been able to get as far with the bid as we have today.”

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The Big Lottery Fund rolls out close to £2 million in Lottery good cause money every 24 hours, which together with other Lottery distributors means that across the UK most people are within a few miles of a Lottery-funded project.

The Big Lottery Fund, the largest of the National Lottery good cause distributors, has been rolling out grants to health, education, environment and charitable causes across the UK since its inception in June 2004. It was established by Parliament on 1 December 2006.

Big Lottery Fund Press Office: 020 7211 1888 Out of hours: 07867 500 572 Public Enquiries Line: 08454 102030 Textphone: 08456 021 659

Full details of Big Lottery Fund projects and grant awards are available at: www.biglotteryfund.org.uk

For more press information please contact Jane Adkins or Gemma Sweet at ADPR Ltd, Tel 01935 826451, email jane@adpr.co.uk or gemma@adpr.co.uk.

This press release can be downloaded from ADPR’s Website www.adpr.co.uk