Media Release

2.04.14
Photocall/Interview Date: Wednesday April 2 Place: Royal Society, Carlton House Terrace, London SW1Y 5AG Time 4.15pm Minister meets relatives of Sir Isaac Newton
Universities and Science Minister David Willetts is to meet a Lincolnshire family with four generations related to Sir Isaac Newton in a search for more relatives of the worlds greatest scientist. Mark and David Newton, 13th and 14th generations descended from the scientists great great uncle, William Newton, will be at the Royal Society on April 2 for the launch of the Newton-inspired Gravity Fields Festival 2014. Isaac Newton himself was President of the prestigious society fellowship between 1703 and 1727, the year of his death. Mr Willetts will be speaking at the Gravity Fields launch, to include festival patrons Professor Valerie Gibson, CERN Hadron Collider, television presenter Dallas Campbell and Isaac Newton authority Rob Iliffe. The festival (September 24-28) will be hosting seminars for those keen to trace their Newton ancestry plus staging a Newton family gathering and Walking with Newton routes re-tracing his footsteps in the locality. The festival takes place in and around Grantham with its science, arts and heritage programme inspired by Newton. Isaac Newton himself had no children, but a social media genealogy project from the Heritage Lottery-funded Lincolnshires Age of Scientific Discovery (LASD) has already prompted interest from around the world. The family of Philip Newton, his son Mark and grandson David has its own roots in the Grantham area, where Isaac Newton was born, educated and did much of his early work from his home at Woolsthorpe Manor.

Philip Newtons ancestors farmed at Skillington, close to where the young Isaac Newton spent two reluctant years on his own familys farm before resuming his studies. Mark Newton confirmed how prolific the Newton family appeared to be. The Newton name is spreading round the world," he said. "The family connection has certainly got as far as Canada and the United States although obviously the hard core is here in Lincolnshire. Lets encourage everyone who is part of this amazing family tree to come to Lincolnshire and see where it all started. www.newtontreeparty.co.uk Walking with Newton; family trees and footpaths

Notes to Editors: Arts Council England Gravity Fields Festival has been supported using public funding of 89,200 from the National Lottery through Arts Council England. About the Heritage Lottery Fund Gravity Fields Festival has received a Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) grant of 58,600. Using money raised by the National Lottery, the HLF aims to make a lasting difference to heritage, communities and people across the UK and help build a resilient heritage economy. From museums, parks and historic places, to archaeology, natural environment and cultural traditions, HLF invests in every part of our diverse heritage. HLF has supported almost 35,000 projects with more than 5.5bn across the UK. For further information, please contact: Geoff ONeill 01476 40 60 80 g.oneill@southkesteven.gov.uk