Welsh Government
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First Minister welcomes funding boost for Hay Castle
The First Minister, Carwyn Jones has yesterday congratulated Hay Castle Trust on their successful bid for Heritage Lottery Funding, which will help them restore the building and open it to the public for the first time.
The Hay Castle Trust has been awarded a £528,600 development grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund. This will help develop proposals for a second stage application for over £4.8million to realise the Trust’s vision for the castle.
The proposals for the Castle include creating a centre for the arts, heritage education and training for the whole community.
Speaking during an event at the Hay Festival to celebrate the funding announcement, the First Minister said:
“It is with great ambition, drive and perseverance that Hay Castle Trust has succeeded in its Heritage Lottery Fund bid and I am pleased that this first round of funding allows the Trust to start work on developing its plans to restore the building for the future enjoyment of the public.
“Conserving and protecting our historic environment is of utmost importance, both in terms of learning and tourism, which is why we have supported the restoration of Hay Castle through a number of Cadw grants.
“The proposals for the future of the Castle are exciting and I welcome the news it is to be opened to the public for the first time, which I believe will bring significant benefits to the town and to its people.”
The Welsh Government, via Cadw, assisted with the cost of the original structural survey to establish the condition of Hay Castle’s buildings and identify the most urgent repairs. The Castle has also benefited from a number of Ancient Monument (AM) and Historic Buildings grants since 1981.
