These are our history related links for April 1st from 09:08 to 11:22: Some will be about Birmingham heritage others wont:

• Recession-busting lottery boom adds millions to heritage fund | UK news | The Guardian – “The nation’s attempt to gamble its way out of the recession has generated a bonanza for ruined castles, weedy public parks and neglected archives. Thanks to an increase in lottery ticket sales, the Heritage Lottery Fund will have an extra £25m a year to distribute in grants from now until 2018……”
• Birmingham Museums and Art Gallery, West Midlands – Birmingham Museums & Art Gallery – “Easter is an exciting and busy time for Birmingham Museums and Art Galleries as Aston Hall, Blakesley Hall, Sarehole Mill and Soho House open their doors again from 2nd April.”
• The Alliance on English Heritage 2010-15 – At an Alliance seminar on 26 March, members discussed what sort of English Heritage they would most value 2010-15.
• History of the Martineau Teachers Centre – Some interesting history forms part of a campaign to keep the centre open.
• Digbeth is Good » 1944: Plane Crashes Into Digbeth Coach Station – Nicky Getgood find some lovely old stuff: “For a while now I’ve known about this boys diary written in 1944….”
• Ecominds small grants programme « The Digbeth Trust Broadcast – Through their small grants programme, Ecominds will fund a range of community and voluntary groups who want to encourage people with experience of mental distress to get involved in environmental projects, such as:<br />
  <br />
  • Improving open spaces and wildlife habitats<br />
  • Designing public art; and recycling.