Staff from The National Lottery Community Fund have been busy chatting to visitors at the Eisteddfod in Boduan about our grants and visiting some of the great projects that have been funded by The National Lottery Community Fund.

It was great to be part of the Third Sector Hub at the National Eisteddfod ground last week. Nia Hughes, Rhun Dafydd, Eirian Jones and Hywel Lovgreen (pictured below) had the opportunity to chat to people and give advice on applying for National Lottery Community Fund grants. Grants are made possible thanks to players of the National Lottery.

We also had the opportunity to see National Lottery funding in action with the ‘Pentref Plant’ (Children’s Village) that received a grant of £10,000 from our National Lottery Awards for All Wales programme. The Children’s Village provided varied activities for children all week based on local tradition and culture. It also provided a safe space for families to come together to play, create, wonder and discover. The Village was a great success with many children and families taking part and enjoying the activities.

We were also lucky to visit Merched Y Wawr’s stand to see their special exhibition ‘Llwybrau’ (paths) which outlined features of the local area. Merched Y Wawr Arfon and Dwyfor district received £7,360 of National Lottery funding to bring members together to create the exhibition and to hold their sessions and performances showcased at the Eisteddfod.

It was great to see a buzz at the Cymunedoli stand, which is a new network in Gwynedd supporting people to take part in community initiatives, it was formally launched at the Eisteddfod ground. Our Funding Officer, Hywel Lovgreen was there and had the opportunity to chat to Rhun Ap Iorwerth MS.

At the Cymunedoli stand the GwyrddNi project by Datblygiadau Egni Gwledig was launched on the Tuesday. This project received  National Lottery funding to support five communities across Gwynedd to address climate challenges. These partnerships include Cyd Ynni, Partneriaeth Ogwen, Siop Griffiths, Cwmni Bro Ffestiniog and Ynni Llŷn.

Our Welsh Language Officer, Awel Jones attended the Welsh Language Commissioner’s event at the Eisteddfod ground on the Monday, where Efa Gruffudd Jones (pictured speaking) discussed effective practices to implement using Welsh language in the workplace with a panel of representatives from the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board and the Isle of Anglesey County Council.