A group of British pensioners managed to fulfil their ambition, and visit the birthplace of William Shakespeare, thanks to a little help from UK National Lottery's Big Lottery Fund.
The Maltby Residents Association made its bid to the Big Lottery Fund in February, but had to wait six months before they found out if the planned trip from Great Lever to Stratford-upon-Avon was going to be possible. The long wait was made worthwhile when Big awarded the group a £3,500 grant.
The group recently returned from their trip to see the British bard's birthplace and Maltby Residents Association chairman Olwyn Cunliffe acknowledged the fact that the group's time away would not have been possible without Big's help.
"It was a fantastic weekend, something we've wanted to do for a while," Cunliffe said, "and there was no way we could have managed it without this funding."
The Big Lottery's intervention enabled the group to spend a pleasant afternoon in Leamington Spa, and fit in an overnight stay in Warwick, before the sightseeing tour of Stratford-upon-Avon the following day.
"Everyone thought it was just brilliant," Cunliffe said. "The travel agents gave us a really good itinerary and the coach driver was wonderful."
Each year the Big Lottery distributes 40% of the money the UK National Lottery set aside for good causes. The money is used to provide assistance to community groups and projects that are believed to have a positive impact on health, education, and the environment.
