BLAENAU Gwent County Borough Council is encouraging applications to the Welsh Church Act Fund, after its increase in value in the past financial year.

The fund, which rose by £9149, largely from investment gains, distributed £267,391 in grants last year. It was set up with proceeds and assets after the disestablishment of the Church of England in Wales in 1920. These were distributed evenly across the former county councils and then divided between the Welsh unitary authorities when they were formed in 1996.

An independent charitable trust, the fund can award small, medium, or large grants for causes that will bring long-term benefit to the people of the area. It has a rolling programme. There are no set bidding rounds, and fully developed applications can be accepted at any time.

Churches, chapels, and places of worship can apply, but only for buildings and other capital works such as renovation and repair. St Andrew’s, Norton, in Powys, has benefited from the fund. The church closed in 2019, but has been turned into a community hub, thanks to a grant from the Community Lottery Fund, and several smaller grants, including £35,000 from the Church in Wales, and £5000 from the Welsh Church Act Fund.