Nick Smith MP has urged borough projects to apply for a funding boost to help remember the lessons of war.

A year from the Battle of the Somme Centenary, the Blaenau Gwent MP has told the community not to miss out on their share of a £4m Heritage Lottery Fund money to explore the impact of the war.

Speaking after the announcement of the funds, Mr Smith said projects such as www.blaenaugwentremembers.com, set up by colleague Alun Davies AM, had been an inspiration.

“The stories that have already been shared as part of the First World War Centenary are so important to us as a country and a community”, he said.

“We mustn’t forgot not only the toll and consequences of war, but the people who fought in them.

“We have a rich military history in Blaenau Gwent, so if any group can take advantage of this new funding it would be a fantastic boon for the area.”

Following the success of its community grants programme First World War: then and now, HLF has made an additional £4million available in 2015/16 for communities looking to explore, conserve and share local heritage of the First World War.  Grants are available between £3,000 to £10,000.

Thanks to National Lottery funding, thousands of young people and communities throughout the UK have already been involved in activities marking the Centenary such as researching and recording local heritage, conserving and finding out more about war memorials and using digital technology to share the fascinating stories they uncover. 

More information on how to apply for HLF funding is available at www.hlf.org.uk