As part of HLF’s First World War: then and now programme the project will provide an opportunity for school pupils to engage with and learn about their local heritage through researching the history of servicemen named on an existing First World War memorial plaque at the school.

Jennifer Stewart, Head of  HLF Wales, said: “The First World War changed the face of modern history touching the lives of everyone in this country and beyond. It’s great news that HLF’s First World War programme is attracting such varied projects in all parts of Wales and this is an excellent community project that will help young people in the Rhymney Valley explore and learn about their local heritage. We have already supported over £28m of projects from right across the UK and will continue to support as many applications as we can afford that want to commemorate the centenary.”

Young people participation
The £3,500 grant awarded to Rhymney Comprehensive School will enable them to run an out of hours group for children and adults from the local community where they will research the history of men named on a brass wall plaque in the school building which lists the local soldiers killed in battle during the First World War.

Additional project plans include the creation of a website to commemorate the lives of the soldiers on the memorial as well as the design and construction of a mosaic created by both children and adults taking part in the project.

Welcoming the funding, project lead, Mark Pryce Williams, said: “Through this project young people in Rhymney will have the opportunity to research and learn about their community’s First World War stories and learn about the impact the war had on where they live. It’s great that with this funding we will be able to introduce such an intergenerational project that will benefit the whole community.”

First World War commemorations
In the run up to the start of the 2014 centenary commemorations, the HLF shall be providing small grants to communities looking to mark the centenary through its First World War: then and now programme. The new programme will enable communities in Wales to explore the continuing legacy of the First World War and help young people in particular to broaden their understanding of how it has shaped their country.

Notes to editors

Plans for the project include:

• Opportunities for local people and school pupils to learn about heritage through researching First World War stories. 
• Research on the impact of the First World War on the community of Rhymney. 
• An out of hours group for children and adults from the local community where they will research the history of the men named on a FWW memorial plaque in the school. 
• Holding workshops where participants begin by researching their own family tree before moving on to research the lives of the 'Fallen'. 
• Creation of a website and mosaic by those involved in the research to commemorate those named on the memorial plaque.

Further information

Contact Naomi Williams on 029 2044 2020, email: naomi@positifgroup.co.uk.