A VALE of Clwyd project that's well on track has been supported by an elected representative.

Clwyd West MS Darren Millar has welcomed news that the Ruthin and District Civic Association has been awarded a 15 Minute Heritage grant for ‘The Railway in Ruthin: Past and Present’ project.

The ’15-Minute Heritage Fund’ from Cadw, the Welsh Government’s historic environment service, and The National Lottery Heritage Fund is for projects that connect communities with the heritage around them.

It is based on an idea called the 15 minute city where ‘most daily necessities can be accomplished by either walking or cycling from residents’ homes.

Launched in 2020 after the first lockdown, the grant programme helped people across Wales to strengthen the connections they have with their surrounding community through ideas such as creating new walking trails and sharing stories about the place they called home.

The Ruthin project has received £10,000 and is one of 24 in Wales to have received funding.

Welcoming the news, Mr Millar said: “I am delighted that the National Lottery Heritage Fund has awarded a 15 Minute Heritage grant to Ruthin and District Civic Association for The Railway in Ruthin: Past and Present.

“The experience of the lockdowns in response to Covid-19 have been a powerful reminder of the value and importance of the local environment to communities.

"Connecting with heritage and nature can be critical for maintaining personal mental and physical wellbeing.

“The 15 Minute Heritage projects are an opportunity to share and explore heritage on our doorsteps, and it is great that people in Ruthin and the surrounding area will have an opportunity to do this thanks to this grant.”

Andrew White, director of The National Lottery Heritage Fund in Wales, added: “Heritage is for everyone and local heritage – whether that’s a building, a landmark, a nature reserve or even our local shop, helps to create and shape our communities.

“It’s been a pleasure to work again this year with Cadw on the ‘15-Minute Heritage Fund’ and support even more communities across Wales to get in touch with their local heritage.

"It’s a very popular programme and in all, we have funded more than 120 projects the length and breadth of the country over the last two years through the ‘15-Minute Heritage’ programme and provided over £600,000 in grants.”