National Grid awards over £100,000 to Gwynedd good causes
Good causes in and around Llanberis in Gwynedd have together been awarded more than £100,000 in funding by National Grid, since its cable replacement project began in the area.
National Grid is currently replacing the cables that run underground between Dinorwig Power Station and its substation in Pentir. Through its Community Grant Programme, it supports local projects, charities and community groups that provide social, economic or environmental benefits.
Local initiatives awarded funding include new heating for the main sports hall in Llanberis Community Centre (pictured top), and Llanrug Memorial Institute recently received a grant to install a new boiler and LED lamps.
Other local good causes funded by National Grid include Ysgol Gynradd Bethel, granted £20,000 to install a new outdoor gym to help its pupils have fun and keep fit. Llanberis Football Club was awarded £7,060 for new equipment, and Circo Arts will receive £18,592.99 for an aerial rig, as well as training for staff and venue fees. This will be used to start up aerial classes for all ages and skill levels as part of a circus skills training programme. Other applications are also currently being considered.
Ken Jones, secretary for Llanberis Community Centre, said: “Before, the cold temperatures often made our main hall unusable in winter. Our new heating now means we can use it all year round for sports, community events and children’s birthday parties. This is fantastic for the Llanberis community and means more income for the Community Centre to reinvest.
“We’re really grateful to National Grid for the grant. I’d certainly encourage any other local groups to apply, it’s an easy application process and can fund equipment or initiatives that otherwise wouldn’t be possible.”
Charities and community organisations in the local areas where National Grid is working can apply online for grants of up to £20,000. Applications are considered and awarded on a quarterly basis.
Phil Rose, lead project manager for the cable replacement project, said: “Our Community Grant Programme is one of the main ways we’re able to actively support the communities in the areas we’re working, which we know can be disruptive.
“We’ve also got involved in the local community in lots of other ways, from delivering fun science workshops at Ysgol Dolbadarn and talking to students about our work at Bangor University. If other local groups think we could support them in any way, we’d love to hear from them.”
National Grid continues to welcome applications from community organisations and charities to its Community Grant Programme. Those wanting to find out more about the eligibility criteria and how to apply can visit the Community Grant Programme website.
The Dinorwig to Pentir project is essential to replace the electricity cables that connect Dinorwig Power Station at Llanberis to the national electricity network via its substation at Pentir. The original cables, installed in the 1970’s, and are now coming to the end of their operational life and need replacing to maintain the security of electricity supplies for the local area and beyond.
