Grant success for Goods Shed schools project

AN EXCITING heritage project for schoolchildren in Llanelli has been awarded a grant by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

The project, organised by the Llanelli Railway Goods Shed Trust, aims to engage young people with the town’s industrial, maritime and transport heritage.

The Goods Shed Trust has been awarded £9,000 to work with local primary schools, heritage groups and educators to increase understanding of Llanelli’s heritage through training and engaging learning materials, including a website. The project aims to raise awareness of the important role that the railways, canals, tinplate industry, shipping docks and copper smelting have played in the town’s history.

Richard Bellamy, Director of the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Wales said: “We are enthusiastic about giving young people the chance to learn about heritage. Thanks to National Lottery players, The National Lottery Heritage Fund is pleased to support Goodshed School Resource that will pass on experiences and achievements from our working past to future generations.”

The Llanelli Railway Goods Shed Trust, which was set up in 2011 to restore the Grade II listed building on Marsh Street and bring it back into use for the community, also supports a number of educational projects to promote the Llanelli’s heritage.

Nia Griffith MP, Chair of the Trust, commented, “It is so important that young people have an understanding of their local heritage, especially when it is as rich and interesting as Llanelli’s.

“I am therefore delighted that we have secured funding from the National Lottery to involve local schoolchildren in learning about our industrial and maritime history, and the crucial role that the railways have played in that. This is a very exciting project which I know will do a lot to raise awareness of our history.”

“The Trustees are also making progress on our main objective, which is to restore the historic Railway Goods Shed and turn it into a vibrant community hub. We are in advanced discussions with Network Rail about taking over the buildings, and we are developing close partnerships with local community groups and businesses.

“If you would like to find out more about the Llanelli Railway Goods Shed Trust and the projects we are working on, or to get involved yourself, please do get in touch.”

For more information, visit the website – http://llanellirailwaygoodsshedtrust.org.uk/ – or contact Richard Roper, Secretary of the Trust, on richard876@btinternet.com