Recipients of new funding for ancient monuments in Wales have been announced, as part of the Historic Environment (Wales) Bill measures.
The Welsh Government writes:
Wales’ historic environment, which includes ancient monuments and historic buildings, as well as the landscapes that surround them, shapes our national identity and brings significant economic benefits, accounting for one-fifth of the tourism expenditure in Wales.
A total of £121,404 of funding will be used for projects which will safeguard the ancient monuments, from urgent repair work to changes that will increase public access to the sites and interpretation to help visitors understand its historic significance.
The approved projects include £7,683 for an investigation into whether the site of a crashed American long range fighter aircraft from World War II, the only known Lockheed P-38F Lightning in the world still surviving in substantially intact original condition, should be protected. The aircraft remains currently lie, buried in sand, at Harlech beach and are periodically exposed by storm events, making it vulnerable to damage, weathering and trophy hunting. Due to its intact condition, the aircraft is of international significance.
The funding will support an archaeological geophysical survey of the site, using magnetometry and Ground Penetrating Radar. The findings will not only provide more information on the aircraft but will inform whether it can be designated as a scheduled ancient monument, offering it protection in future.
Announcing the latest round of funding the Deputy Minister for Culture, Sport and Tourism, Ken Skates said: ‘All over Wales our landscape is scattered with ancient monuments, they shape our communities, tell the story of our past and bring economic benefits through tourism. There are also significant social and educational benefits to these sites and I am pleased that we are continuing to support a range of projects both in and around Communities First areas. Early this year I introduced the Historic Environment (Wales) Bill which will legislate to better care and protect our important historic buildings and monuments. I am pleased that through these grants we are already supporting exciting conservation projects right across Wales, which will lead the way in protecting our past for the Wales of tomorrow.’
Other projects awarded grants include the installation of new interpretation boards at Ffynnon Beuno, a Holy Well in Gwynedd associated with Beuno and claimed to cure epilepsy and conservation work to the Medieval Pottery Kiln at Newport Memorial Hall, Pembrokeshire, which is the best preserved of its kind in Britain, giving it national importance.
