Local AM delighted at Rhayader Museum funding boost

9.26.51am UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 27th Sep 2006

Welsh Liberal Democrat AM for Brecon and Radnorshire, Kirsty Williams, has welcomed the news that Community Arts Rhayader and District (CARAD) has been awarded a £483,500 lottery grant.

The funds will be used to replace the former Rhayader Folk Museum with a new museum dedicated to the history of the local area.

Ms Williams said: "As a long-standing supporter of CARAD's vision for a new museum, I was delighted to hear that this funding had been secured, and the project can finally get off the ground. I am convinced the new museum will bring enjoyment and opportunity to both local people and a wider audience, and am very much looking forward to visiting myself once the project is completed."

Notes:

The original folk museum in Rhayader, which was located above a shop and had limited access, closed in 2002. CARAD obtained funding to rescue over 1,000 artefacts from the museum, and has been planning the new project ever since. They are keen to involve as many local people as possible at all stages of the new museum's development, which is scheduled for opening in 2008. They plan to have a permanent exhibition on the story of Rhayader on the first floor, with a different exhibition each year on the ground floor.

The Heritage Lottery Fund grant will pay for 2 new members of staff and enable volunteers and enthusiasts to receive training and engage in the project.

The museum hopes to attract 7,000 paying visitors in its first year, rising to 12,800 after 4 years, and aims to train 600 people a year in arts and crafts, care of heritage material, video and photographic equipment and media skills.