Hay Castle Funding Welcomed

Funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) for a south Powys castle in need of need of conservation to prevent further deterioration has been welcomed by Powys County Council. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The Hay Castle Trust has been awarded £4.46m by the HFL to restore Hay Castle and the accompanying Grade one listed mansion. The Trust was also awarded £120,000 from the Visit Wales Tourism Investment Support Scheme. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The funding success has been welcomed by the council’s Regeneration Team, which has been supporting the Trust with their project development and funding applications. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Hay Castle, one of the few continuously occupied medieval strongholds in the country and an important example of a Marcher Castle, had fallen into disrepair. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The funding will allow the Trust to save and consolidate the castle ruins, provide access to the keep, restore the mansion and reopen the ancient gate. A museum-standard gallery, education space and café will also be created thanks to the funding along with flexibles spaces for use by the local community and public. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Cllr Avril York, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, said: “This is an important regeneration project for Hay-on-Wye and the county and I’m delighted that the Hay Castle Trust have been provided this level of funding to move their project forward. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“I’m also pleased that our Regeneration Team played an important role in supporting the Trust with their funding applications and project development which has led to this funding success. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“I would like to congratulate all those involved in Trust for their vision, dedication and hard work to restoring this important ancient monument and the success they have had to date. Our Regeneration Team will continue to provide support to the Trust including their applications to other funding streams including the Rural Community Development Fund and LEADER funding.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Nancy Lavin, Hay Castle Managing Director, said “This ambitious project will not only save an important piece of Welsh history, but will also create a meaningful place for Powys residents and visitors alike to enjoy the arts, learn new skills and participate in cultural and community events. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“It will also bring an economic boost to Hay-on-Wye, the renowned Town of Books, and to the region.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​