The National Lottery Heritage Fund have announced Anglesey as one of six areas which will benefit from millions of pounds of investment. The aim of the scheme is to enable communities to become ‘Heritage Places’ unlocking the potential of local heritage through financial investment. The five other areas receiving money are Barking & Dagenham, Belfast Historic Waterfront, Dudley, Orkney Islands and Tameside.
The National Heritage Lottery Fund is the largest funder of heritage in the United Kingdom. Since it was established in 1994 it has awarded over £9.2 billion to more than 52,000 projects. The organisation stated that Heritage Places play a vital role in supporting communities in the long term to explore the possibilities of local heritage, increase heritage skills and help to create a sense of local pride.
In a statement Eilish McGuinness, Chief Executive of The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said:
“Our six new Heritage Places each hold incredible potential – from Tameside’s rich industrial past to the Standing Stones of Stenness on Orkney and the vibrant coastal heritage of Ynys Môn. Each place is bursting with diverse heritage treasures to be explored.
We are proud to champion and invest in these places, helping communities and partners to shape bold new visions for the heritage on their doorstep. Thanks to National Lottery players, we can make sure heritage is valued, cared for, and sustained for everyone – now and for generations to come.
For over 30 years, we’ve invested in heritage to create better places to live, work and visit, increasing the positive contribution heritage makes to life in the UK. Heritage Places builds on that legacy, offering long-term support and driving even greater impact.”
Andrew White, Director of The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said:
“Ynys Môn is a place where heritage lives in the landscape, the language and the everyday lives of its people. Our investment here is about recognising that richness and working alongside communities to ensure it continues to thrive – now and into the future. Thanks to National Lottery players, we’re supporting Ynys Môn for the long term – helping local people shape a vision that celebrates the past while unlocking opportunities for regeneration, skills and wellbeing.”
Anglesey Council Leader, Councillor Gary Pritchard, said:
“This is an exciting announcement and opportunity for Ynys Môn. We’re proud that the Island has received national recognition and grateful to the Heritage Fund for its funding commitment.
Our aim now is to expand the Island’s rich heritage offer, ensuring that it can make a significant contribution to local communities and the socio-economic future of the Island. We are eager to work with partners, local stakeholders, community and interest groups to achieve this.
I’d also like to thank staff at Council’s Economic Development Unit for preparing this successful proposal. Their continued guidance and insight will provide invaluable as we strive to make the most of this important funding.”
Martin Schwaller, Trustee/Director GeoMôn, Anglesey UNESCO Global Geopark, said:
“Anglesey’s diverse rocks, shaped by a billion years of tectonic activity, make its landscape extraordinary. As a UNESCO Global Geopark, its geodiversity supports rich biodiversity and has influenced local culture and language.
The historic Port of Amlwch, once a copper mining hub, now hosts GeoMôn’s exhibition centre, attracting over 4,000 summer visitors. This site holds great potential for revitalisation; funding would benefit both locals and the island and make it a Jewel in the Crown of Wales.”
You can learn more about how The National Lottery Heritage Fund decides on what areas it provides funding to below:
