The lives of Rhymney men who fought and died in the First World War are to be explored as part of a new history project.
Rhymney Comprehensive School has been awarded £3,500 from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) to research the lives of local soliders killed during the 1914 to 1918 conflict.
As part of HLF’s First World War ‘Then and Now’ programme the project will give pupils the chance to research the history of servicemen named on an existing First World War memorial plaque at the school.
Jennifer Stewart, Head of the HLF in Wales, said: “The First World War changed the face of modern history touching the lives of everyone in this country and beyond.
“It’s great news that HLF’s First World War programme is attracting such varied projects in all parts of Wales and this is an excellent community project that will help young people in the Rhymney Valley explore and learn about their local heritage.
“We have already supported over £28m of projects from right across the UK and will continue to support as many applications as we can afford that want to commemorate the centenary.”
The £3,500 grant awarded to Rhymney Comprehensive School will enable teachers to run an out-of-hours group for children and adults from the local community to research the names on the plaque.
Additional project plans include the creation of a website to commemorate the lives of the soldiers on the memorial as well as the design and construction of a mosaic created by both children and adults taking part in the project.
Welcoming the funding project lead Mark Pryce Williams said: “Through this project young people in Rhymney will have the opportunity to research and learn about their community’s First World War stories and learn about the impact the war had on where they live.
“It’s great that with this funding we will be able to introduce such an intergenerational project that will benefit the whole community.”