Heritage Lottery Fund provides funding to protect important site Yr Ysgwrn
The announcement of a £149,700 heritage lottery grant which will secure the conservation of the home of World War I poet Hedd Wyn has been …
The announcement of a £149,700 heritage lottery grant which will secure the conservation of the home of World War I poet Hedd Wyn has been welcomed by the Secretary of State for Wales, David Jones today (16 November 2012).
The cash sum from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) has given Snowdonia National Park Authority (SNPA) the green light to progress plans for the Grade II* listed farmhouse, known as Yr Ysgwrn, the surrounding farmland and the collections relating to Hedd Wyn to be transformed into a museum and interpretation centre.
Yr Ysgwrn has achieved international significance as being the home of Ellis Humphrey Evans, better known by his bardic name of Hedd Wyn. Mr Evans was posthumously awarded the 1917 National Eisteddfod Chair for his poem Yr Arwr (The Hero) after he was killed in action during the First World War.
The funding Authority will help preserve the 168 acres of traditional farmland surrounding the farmhouse but also help increase physical and digital access to the site. Visitors will be able to learn about this iconic literary figure, Welsh culture, rural farming life in the early 20th century and FWW connections, all on one site.
Welcoming the announcement, Mr Jones said:
“I am delighted to hear that Yr Ysgwrn, home of iconic Welsh language poet Hedd Wyn has been awarded the funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund today.
“The Heritage Lottery Fund plays a vital role in maintaining and developing cultural traditions in Wales. The site has become a place of pilgrimage for visitors from Wales and all over the world. The funding received for the restoration and development of the site will ensure that more people will have the opportunity learn about this iconic and important part of Welsh history for generations to come. I look forward to visiting the newly developed site soon.”
Notes to editors:
- For further information on the Heritage Lottery Fund and the project itself, please contact Kate Sullivan or Helen Newton on 02920 764100 or email hlf@equinoxcommunications.co.uk
- An audience development manager will be employed to oversee a significant programme of volunteer opportunities including guiding visitors around the site, conservation, care of collections, customer service, health and safety and first aid. They will also work with a range of heritage partners to increase knowledge and understanding of the Hedd Wyn story amongst non-Welsh speakers, including the Mosaic project, a Campaign for National Parks’ initiative which builds links with black and ethnic communities.
About HLF
Using money raised through the National Lottery, the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) aims to make a lasting difference for heritage, people and communities across the UK and help build a resilient heritage economy. From museums, parks and historic places to archaeology, natural environment and cultural traditions, we invest in every part of our diverse heritage. HLF has supported more than 33,000 projects with more than £5billion across the UK, including more than 2,000 projects totalling over £240 million in Wales. www.hlf.org.uk.
Snowdonia** National Park** Authority (SNPA)
Covering 823 square miles of diverse landscapes, Snowdonia National Park is home to over 26,000 people. It was established in 1951 and stretches from Cardigan Bay’s High Water Mark in the west, to the Conwy Valley in the east. Its statutory purposes are to:
• Conserve and enhance the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage of the area;
• Promote opportunities for the understanding and enjoyment of the special qualities of the Park by the public;
It also have a duty to seek to foster the economic and social well being of local communities within the Park.