The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) has today announced an investment of £3.2million to a wide range of projects across Wales, including a nature reserve, a dozen places of worship, two market halls and the display and interpretation of an extraordinary collection of antiques, paintings and tapestries.

The diverse range of projects highlight HLF's commitment to supporting all types of Wales' heritage, as well as creating opportunities for people to get involved in the heritage which matters most to them and learn more about it.

The announcement follows a series of major grant awards, taking HLF's total investment in Wales to nearly £17million so far this year.

Jennifer Stewart, Head of Heritage Lottery Fund Wales, said: "The Heritage Lottery Fund is the largest funder of heritage in Wales and today's announcement highlights what a huge difference Lottery money can make to regeneration, boosting local economies and contributing to stronger and more resilient communities. We also know from nearly 18 years' experience that our grants contribute more than just money. All of the projects we are funding today will bring people together and create a sense of place as well as opportunities for people to develop a real passion for heritage.

"Our grants to the Market Hall in Newtown and Cawdor Hall in Newcastle Emlyn will help bring these Grade II listed buildings back into regular use by creating community and business hubs for the towns. As well as repairing these significant buildings, we were particularly impressed with both projects' potential to move towards a sustainable future, to get people involved in learning about and caring for the buildings and to interpret them and their place within the community.

"Vital and urgent repairs to 12 places of worship will help safeguard their future. These buildings are not only valued by those who attend services regularly, they're an example of magnificent architecture and help tell the story of Wales.

"Dyfi Nature Reserve and Glynn Vivian Art Gallery currently attract between 30,000 and 55,000 visitors each year and through the funding we hope that their improved interpretation and facilities will encourage more people to visit and explore their local heritage. Glynn Vivian Art Gallery will work closely with local community organisations, such as Swansea YMCA, and use the collection to encourage those who are not already involved and interested in heritage to discover why it is important and how it is relevant to them in their lives today.

Projects that have received HLF funding include:

Newtown Market Hall restoration and refurbishment, Powys
Mid Wales Food and Land Trust has received £790,300 from HLF to restore the Grade II listed Newtown Market and create a centre for small business and enterprise. The grant will fund the repair of the building's High Street façade and construction of a mezzanine floor to provide office space for local producers, traders and businesses. The project will also involve the local community through a wide range of activities, including partnership working with nearby schools and Coleg Powys, volunteer and training opportunities and a heritage learning and events programme to help share the story of the building.

Exploring the Richard Glynn Vivian Bequest to the people of Swansea
An eclectic collection will be displayed in its entirety for the first time thanks to HLF. Glynn Vivian Art Gallery in Swansea has been awarded a grant of £576,000 to improve the display and interpretation of the Richard Glynn Vivian bequest collection. During his lifetime, Richard Glynn Vivian (1935-1910), heir to a Swansea industrialist's fortune, collected art, sculptures, paintings and tapestries from all over the world and in 1905 donated the collection to the city of Swansea. As well as making the collection more accessible, the project will also host community activities, train volunteers in heritage skills and create a dedicated learning hub so visitors can find out more about the Richard Glynn Vivian bequest.

Cawdor Hall Restoration Project, Carmarthenshire
HLF has awarded £247,700 to Newcastle Emlyn Town Council for the restoration of the Grade II listed Cawdor Hall. Built as a market hall in 1892, the former canopied 'loggia' area of the building will be reconstructed to create a community hub for local people and visitors to learn about the history of the town. The project will also work closely with a number of community groups and schools as well as linking up with Ceredigion College to offer NVQ level 2 and 3 building skills students practical training opportunities and site visits.

Dyfi 360 landscape – for people and wildlife, Powys
Montgomeryshire Wildlife Trust has been awarded £928,000 from HLF to transform Dyfi Nature Reserve into a year round, state-of-the-art wildlife visitor attraction and increase visitors' enjoyment and understanding of the site's natural heritage. The reserve is part of the UNESCO designated 'Biosphere' and is one of only two biospheres in the UK, as well as being home to the only nesting population of Ospreys in Wales. The project will create a new observatory, improve interpretation and install a series of remote camera feeds to give visitors unique access to the wildlife along the Dyfi estuary corridor. Four full-time posts will be appointed, including a new conservation officer, who will oversee a band of 250 volunteers expected to support the project.

Repair Grants for Places of Worship in Wales, Wales-wide
HLF has awarded a total of £755,150 to fund urgent repair work at 12 churches* across Wales, including two Grade I listed buildings.

Notes to editors

In October 2012, HLF will launch new plans for investing £375m a year of Lottery money across the UK over the next five years, designed to enable a strong, robust sector to respond in new ways to the conditions it now faces. The strategic framework for 2013-2018 sets out plans designed to deliver long term and sustainable benefits in response to the newly emerging needs of the heritage sector.

*The churches include:

• St Teilo's Church in Llantisilio - £65,400
• Salem Welsh Baptist in Maesteg - £92,200
• Hafod Church in Cwmsyswyth - £11,900
• St Cybi's Church in Holyhead - £52,200
• St Mary's Church in Fishguard - £58,400
• The Welsh Church in Abercarn - £94,800
• St Mary's Church in Begelly - £30,750
• St Peter's Church in Glasbury-on-Wye - £59,100
• St James' Church in Swansea - £43,700
• St Cattwg's Chuch in Llanmaes - £33,400
• St Mary's Church in Hay on Wye - £99,900
• Crane Street Baptist and United Reformed Church in Pontypool – £76,300

Further information

Helen Newton or Elinor Evans, Equinox Communications, 029 2076 4100, email: hlf@equinoxcommunications.co.uk.