Llanelli Goods Shed project Curry Night fundraising success
The team behind the Llanelli Railway Goods Shed project held a very successful fundraising Curry Night at the Ali Raj restaurant in Trinity Road, Llanelli.
The restaurant is just across the railway tracks from the proposed £2.2m development in Marsh Street.
Goods Shed project officer Robert Lloyd said: “This was the third annual fundraising Curry Night and was a great success, raising more than £700 towards the project.
“The evening was marked by a project update speech by our Trust chairman Nia Griffith MP and attended by civic dignitaries representing Llanelli Town Council, Llanelli Rural Council and Carmarthenshire County Council.
“One of our trustees, the Rev Eldon Phillips, conducted an auction of artwork and photographic memorabilia. The photos were supplied by well-known local photographers Alan Evans and Byron Williams.
“Among the high earners in the auction were a watercolour of the Gower by celebrated Llanelli artist Denise di Battista and a ‘curiosity’ item of an old pithead soap dish submitted by Councillor Gary Jones.
“The raffle was also very well supported by all in attendance and grateful thanks go to the owners and staff at the Ali Raj for a splendid buffet meal.”
The Goods Shed project team has just completed a comprehensive and detailed application to the Big Lottery Wales CAT2 (Capital Asset Transfer) scheme.
The application was submitted for a grant of £1.1m from Big Lottery Wales – £800,000 of capital funding and £300,000 of revenue funding.
The Llanelli Railway Goods Shed Trust has also reached a Heads of Terms Agreement with Network Rail over the sale of the land just off Marsh Street.
Trust chairman Nia Griffith MP said: “It is very much a case of full steam ahead in our latest bids for capital funding for a project which will cost in the region of £2.2m
“After the submission of the Big Lottery Wales application, we will now be focussed on further grant applications to the Heritage Lottery Fund in Wales and other grant funders.
“The project has continued to gather pace. Our development funding has been spent on the planning permission, architectural proposals and a whole raft of proposals, including an activity plan and an interpretation plan.”
The project now has six key aims which should delver positive outcomes for the community –
- Volunteering – offer a palate of enriching volunteering experiences.
- Community Hub – working with the diverse local communities to build a lively, participative community and business hub.
- Empowering Learning – inspire children and young people to learn about their Llanelli heritage.
- Sharing the Story – to tell the story of The Goods Shed and Llanelli’s fascinating industrial heritage through a programme of story.
- A Place to Meet and Share – create a café as a resource for the community. We will also develop the building and surrounding land as a venue for creative and artistic performances, together with regular large scale events.
- Training and Enterprise – create a centre of excellence for training and enterprise.
The Goods Shed building in Marsh Street is currently derelict, but architects Davies Sutton have developed innovative and creative plans to transform a building which was built in 1875 and is a classic example of the Brunel style of architecture.”
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