People could soon be able to walk around Lady Godiva’s priory as part of a ground-breaking scheme to bring cash in to support Coventry’s heritage.

Local history groups in Coventry are being urged to make sure they don’t miss out on a slice of £10 million available for promoting heritage.

A special project has been formed to make sure city groups get their share of the cash, which can be used to fund heritage-related projects that improve the quality of life for communities.

This could include restoring historic buildings, local ponds or celebrating a historic figure.

Heritage Cash for Coventry will be launched tomorrow by Lord Mayor Sheila Collins and Baroness Crawley of Edgbaston, chair of the Regional Cultural Consortium.

Cllr Collins said:

“Our city has a splendid heritage that we must preserve, promote and enjoy. I believe this scheme will be a significant addition in achieving this goal and I’m delighted to support Heritage Cash for Coventry.”

Funding is available to non profit-making organisations as part of the Heritage Lottery Fund, who have noticed that there have been few applications from the city this year.

So far, just five awards totalling £20,000 have been made.

Previous recipients have included £541,00 for St John the Baptist in Fleet Street, which received the money for renovation work, and Holy Trinity, which got £720,000 for spire repairs and conservation work on the Doom painting.

Jeff Carpenter, West Midlands representative on the HLF committee, said:

“The Heritage Lottery Fund aims to support heritage projects across the UK and we are pleased to pilot this pioneering outreach scheme in Coventry to ensure we meet this aim.

“With over 1,000 years of history in the city there is a rich and diverse range of heritage to preserve and celebrate.”

One part of the city that could benefit from the fund is the Phoenix Initiative, as funding is being sought to allow public access to part of Lady Godiva’s priory.

Smaller groups are also being supported, and the scheme will include a community heritage conference on 27 January.

Mark Cook, of Hillfields History group, said:

“Our group wants to ensure that local residents, as well as the rest of the city, are aware of the rich heritage of the Hillfields area, which includes the ribbon weaving industry and the birth the cycle and car industries. I believe Heritage Cash for Coventry will help us achieve this.”

More information from 024 7683 1121,emailing cashforcov@coventry.gov.uk or by writing to: Cash for Coventry, Room 27, FREEPOST CV299, Coventry CV1 5BR