Civic Societies
FUNDING SUCCESS FOR MENAI BRIDGE

 


Menai Bridge Community Heritage Trust, the business arm of the local civic society, is celebrating the award of £150,000 from the National Assembly's Local Regeneration Fund. The cash will enable the Trust to employ a full-time project officer and administrative support.

This is the first stage of a multi-million pound scheme being developed by the Trust. Prosiect Menai aims to create a science and technology centre at Princess Pier. Jean Baker, the volunteer project director, says, "This will be the catalyst for the regeneration of the town and will bring visitors back to Menai Bridge. With support from the government, we will now be able to recruit an officer with the skills to drive the scheme forward."

The main aim of Prosiect Menai is to create an education and interpretation centre that focuses on the unique archaeological, historical, scientific, engineering and cultural heritage of the Menai Strait, its two bridges, and the surrounding area.

The project will be housed in the Princess Pier warehouse, which will be restored along with the rest of the quay side. The warehouse and pier are part of an historic dockside built by the Davies family, Menai Bridge-based Victorian ship owners.

The Community Trust was formed under the auspices of the Menai Bridge Civic Society in 1997, when representatives of community groups in the town got together to work to try to reverse the decline of local business.

Jean Baker explains, "The WDA has repaired the sea wall, and this means that if we can attract further funding we will be able to restore the warehouse. We plan to open the science and education centre all year round and in all weathers. We aim to give young people and visitors an interactive and fun learning experience."

"There will also be a restaurant so that people can enjoy the views of the Strait and the bridges."