Richard Bellamy, the new Head of the Heritage Lottery Fund in Wales said: "We at HLF understand that heritage means many things to different people. This latest portfolio of awards reflects that belief by investing in a variety of projects that celebrate our nation’s rich and diverse past as well as protecting it for the future.

“Communities across Wales are set to reap the benefits of this latest support from the National Lottery which will let people get a better understanding of their local history as well as opening up historic sites for more to share and enjoy."

This investment will contribute towards:

• Creating new jobs for local people in Aberglasney and providing traineeships to develop heritage horticultural skills
• Exploring the impact of the industrial revolution on people’s lives at Flintshire’s industrial gem, Greenfield Valley Heritage Park
• Capturing the memories of Newport Cricket Club’s ex-players and club officers about the historic Rodney Parade cricket ground.
• Opening up the historic pilgrimage site at St Dyfnog's Well for more people to explore and enjoy
• Documenting the under-explored maritime history of Connah’s Quay and its historic dock; once providing a vital source of trade for Flintshire
• Helping young people in Merthyr Tydfil to research and create a film on the impact Catholic migration has had on their community in ‘Merthyr Migration’
• Supporting four churches across Wales, helping congregations to restore and preserve their much loved places of worship and encourage more people to make use of the building: Chepstow Priory Church; St James’ Church, Manorbier; Tyddyn Street United Church, Mold; and Capel Cildwrn, Llangefni

Deputy Minister for Culture, Sport and Tourism, Ken Skates AM said: “This is excellent news for all ten projects and will help to ensure Wales’ diverse heritage is protected and celebrated in the future.

“Our heritage plays a vital role in boosting the Welsh economy by encouraging tourism which stimulates jobs growth so this National Lottery investment into such an important sector is greatly welcome.”

In addition, initial first round support totalling £77,200 has also been awarded to two projects.  Both the Glynneath Gunpowder Works, a Scheduled Ancient Monument which provides a glimpse into the area’s engineering past, and the Gilfach nature reserve in Radnorshire, an old upland farm set in an unspoilt historic landscape in mid Wales, will receive funding to develop project plans further.

Notes to editors

Grant awards

• Merthyr Migration, Zoom Cymru - £47,400: Exploring the impact that the inbound migration from international Catholic Communities has had on Merthyr Tydfil through creative media, engagement with the community and archive studies, leading to the creation of a film by young people.
• Sharing the Heritage of Connah’s Quay Docks, Quay Watermen’s Association - £5,300: Providing opportunities for local people and visitors to learn more about this historic dock, creating a digital archive from artefacts, memories, old photographs and documents.
• A history of Newport Cricket Club & the historic Rodney Parade ground, Newport Cricket Club - £18,000: As one of Wales’ leading cricket clubs, Newport CC’s long history at its Rodney Parade ground since 1877 will be explored, capturing memories, stories and memorabilia to help document it’s colourful story.
• St Dyfnog’s Well and Surrounding Environs Conservation Project, Cymdeithas Cadwraeth Llanrhaeadr yng Nghinmeirch - £292,000: Situated in woodland near Llanrhaeadr yng Nghinmeirch, Denbighshire, St Dyfnog’s Well was a popular pilgrimage site from the 6th to 15th century. The project will restore the basin of the well, improve visitor access and protect surrounding wildlife.
• Greenfield Valley uncovered, Greenfield Valley Trust Ltd - £949,400: Greenfield Valley Heritage Park was the site of a remarkable concentration of heavy industry in the 18th century, harnessing water from the Howell Stream. The project will ensure the heritage is better protected, create new jobs and volunteer opportunities and training for over 40 people.
• A heritage horticultural training and plant production facility, Aberglasney Restoration Trust - £949,500:  Restoration of historic buildings at Aberglasney, which date back to the 13th century, to provide a base for trainees developing traditional horticultural skills and new visitor facilities.

Grants for places of worship

• Chepstow Priory Church - £146,900: Providing urgent roof repairs and disabled access to the 11th century church in Chepstow.

• St James’ Church, Manorbier - £59,400:  Repairs to the tower of the Grade I listed medieval church building which dates back to the 12th century. The funding will also help improve access to the building and the creation of an updated guide for visitors.

• Tyddyn Street United Church, Mold - £48,900: Built in 1863 in Mold, Flintshire, the church is in need of urgent repair works to church walls, enabling parishioners, local history groups, community groups and schools to continue using the building.

• Capel Cildwrn, Llangefni ­- £99,400: Constructed in 1871, Capel Cildwrn is a Grade II* listed building in need of urgent repairs to the roof, fascias and chimney stack. The chapel is recognised as an unusually well-preserved and important example of an 18th century chapel.

First-round grant awards

• Exploring Gilfach, Radnorshire Wildlife trust - £29,200: Raising awareness of Gilfach nature reserve and creating a new interpretation hub, inspiring visitors to explore the reserve’s unspoilt landscapes and rare species.

• Explosive Times: Restoration & Celebration of the Glynneath Gunpowder Works, BBNPA - £58,000: Protecting the remaining parts of the Glynneath Gunpowder Works – one of only two in Wales – and exploring the role it played in the First World War and industrialisation.

Further information:

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