Newbridge Memo gets £200k funding to preserve its heritage for future generations

Newbridge Memo has received more than £200,000 funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

The money will go towards its new ‘Memo: Inherit and Inspire’ project, which aims to preserve the venue’s heritage for the future.

The Memo was restored in 2014 and celebrated its centenary this year – but work is needed to ensure its stories, memories, and traditions, many of which remain undocumented and at risk of being lost, are preserved.

The project aims to address this by capturing spoken histories, transforming archives, and co-curating new creative projects with the local community.

It will also explore environmental sustainability, digital storytelling, and inclusive skills development to ensure the Memo can continue to serve its community for generations to come.

The funding will include a volunteer-led oral history and archive project celebrating the venue’s heritage, as well as an artist development programme, which will support local creatives.

The third main part of the project will be the Memo Kitchen and Co – a food heritage and training hub connecting culture, wellbeing, and sustainability.

A total of £207,503 has been awarded to the Memo to pursue this project, with a potential £548,883 available from the National Lottery Heritage Fund at a later date.

Ally Gibson, venue director at Newbridge Memo, said: “We’re delighted to receive this support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund. Thanks to National Lottery players, we can continue the journey we began during our centenary celebrations – placing the miners’ legacy at the heart of our work, turning memories into opportunities, and ensuring the Memo remains a place that belongs to, and inspires, everyone.”

Ruth Jones, Labour MP for Newport West and Islwyn, visited the Memo shortly after it received the grant funding. She said: “I’m thrilled to hear Newbridge Memo has received this money and look forward to seeing how it will be spent by the dedicated and passionate team.

“The future of the Memo has to be the priority, but by helping preserve its past, we ensure its legacy is one future generations will learn about and build upon.”