Sam Rowlands, Member of the Welsh Parliament for North Wales, is delighted to see a local project benefitting from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Mr Rowlands was commenting after it was announced that the Clywedog Valley Heritage Partnership led by Groundwork North Wales was awarded £246,530 in development funding towards a potential delivery grant of £1.2m,to reopen heritage sites and run a diverse programme of events along the valley.
He said:
“As Chair of the Welsh Parliament’s Cross-Party Group on Tourism I am delighted to see this investment which will not only encourage local people to get into nature but will be a great attraction for visitors.
“It is vitally important to receive this sort of backing from the National Lottery Heritage Fund so we can continue to update and improve our areas in North Wales for everyone.”
The Heritage Fund has announced £15.6m of funding to make getting out into nature easier. From urban walking routes and dramatic landscapes to Regency period gardens, helping people to get outside to explore and enjoy nature is the focus of the funding.
Funding has been awarded to several organisations to develop their plans to preserve and improve access to natural heritage across the UK, such as the Clywedog Valley Partnership in Wrexham, as well as awards to deliver projects post the development stage.
The Clywedog Valley Partnership aims to transform the valley into a vibrant cultural attraction, by reopening heritage sites along the valley, and offering visitors and the local community a diverse programme of events and activities.
Groundwork North Wales is leading the Clywedog Valley Partnership, which is a range of organisations and community groups all with an interest in the heritage of the Clywedog Valley, running from the moors above Minera Quarry to King’s Mill just south of Wrexham city centre.
Eilish McGuinness, Chief Executive at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “At a time of year when many of us are looking to get out into the fresh air and walk off the festive excess, I’m thrilled we are supporting projects that will help more people experience the benefits of nature across the UK.
“Preserving natural heritage is core to what we do, and we look forward to seeing these projects enhance access to nature and walking for a diverse range of people. National Lottery funding will help to ensure these outstanding places are valued, cared for and sustained for everyone’s future.”
