In brief

A £3m programme called Building Peace through the Arts – Re-imagining Communities was launched in February by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland. The programme aims to reduce sectarianism and racism and will support arts projects that promote a shared future and build positive relations within and between communities in Northern Ireland. It will offer grants of up to £15,000 for small projects and £50,000 for larger ones.


Amgudeddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales welcomed a record 1.75 million visitors in 2012-13 – 50,000 up on the previous year. The National Museum Cardiff, National Waterfront Museum in Swansea, National Roman Legion Museum in Caerleon and National Wool Museum in Dre-fach Felindre enjoyed their highest-ever attendance figures. 


A Viking hoard dating from the 9th or 10th century has been declared of national importance. The hoard, which was discovered in Bedale, North Yorkshire, includes 29 silver ingots, four silver neck rings, gold rivets and half a silver brooch.


British Airways has named Bristol Aero Collection Trust as its preferred bidder to house Concorde 216, the last Concorde to fly. The trust has applied to the Heritage Lottery Fund to build a £13m aviation heritage museum and learning centre at Filton Airfield, near Bristol. The jet has been at Filton since 2003, but has not been on public view since 2010.