Carmarthenshire County Council’s Community Bureau has helped Aberglasney Gardens to secure Heritage Lottery funding of almost £1m.
The Heritage Lottery Fund recently awarded Aberglasney Gardens £949,500 for a project to create a new heritage horticultural training facility at the historic gardens.
The facility will be housed in the former piggeries of Aberglasney Home Farm, The project aims to provide inspiration and training to a new generation of gardeners.
In addition, the HLF grant will fund the creation of a mini-arboretum and meadow walk, a “green” heating system and a new composting facility. A part time Senior Horticulturalist Trainer post will be created and two year long traineeships in heritage horticultural skills will be facilitated.
It is expected that all work will be completed by late summer next year, when visitors will also be able to follow the new trails showing the history of the site, plants, wildlife and bio-diversity. The area being covered by the Gardens will be increased by around 20 per cent, and with the installation of a “Gardening through Time” display in the Victorian Aviaries, the visitor experience at Aberglasney will be greatly enhanced, with every visitor gaining a greater insight into heritage horticulture and its importance.
Aberglasney has received support from the council’s Community Bureau to source match funding for the project as part of its key account management service. As a result of officer support, Aberglasney was successful in an application to the Targeted Finance Fund with an award of up to £20,000. The grant will be used to employ a Project Officer for a period of twelve months.
Executive board member for regeneration and leisure Cllr Meryl Gravell said: “The Community Bureau has been instrumental in signposting to potential project partners and has offered guidance around local strategies to develop future sustainability of the gardens.
“I’m pleased that we have been able to offer this valuable support.”
Aberglasney Head Gardener Joseph Atkin said: “The Community Bureau was extremely supportive in the development of our current project to create a plant production and training facility at Aberglasney. The grant awarded by the Bureau helped us to secure nearly £1m from the Heritage Lottery Fund and is a vital contribution to the project.”
The Heritage Lottery Fund is the UK’s largest dedicated funder of heritage. From the National Lottery, it invests around £430 million a year on a broad range of projects from museums, parks and historic places, to archaeology, natural environment and cultural conditions. To date, Wales has received over £323 million in HLF funding of which Carmarthenshire has benefitted from over £41million across 280 projects.
Are you a charity, community or voluntary group that is looking for advice to develop your project forward? If so, please contact the Carmarthenshire County Council’s Community Bureau team for help and support on 01269 590216 or alternatively you can e-mailcommunitybureau@carmarthenshire.gov.uk
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