The historical blue police telephone box in Somerton, much-loved by the local community, has been awarded a grant of £10,500 to help conserve it for future generations.

The Welsh Assembly Government grants, ranging from £5,000 to £162,000 have been offered to carry out essential repairs and restoration work to 11 other buildings across Wales.

Alun Ffred Jones, Minister for Heritage, said, "I am delighted to offer these grants for historic building repairs. The range of buildings from this famous telephone box to a school and stables shows the rich variety of heritage sites we have in Wales and the range of sites that Cadw helps preserve. These grant offers will ensure these important buildings are restored and maintained for the enjoyment of future generations.�

Deborah Clark of the RASCAL (Regeneration Association Somerton Community at Large), who made the application for the grant, said:

“We’re delighted to receive this money which will help restore and maintain this very popular local landmark. Everyone from this community loves this telephone box as do many people from further afield and we will now be able to ensure future generations can enjoy it too.�

The 12 buildings:

3 Buckingham Place, Brecon, Powys

An important mid 16th century town house, 3 Buckingham Place retains exceptional surviving 16th century, 17th century and Georgian features both internally and externally. Grant of £25,500 offered towards the restoration of the walls and windows to the rear of the property.

Stables at Bodrhyddan Hall, Rhuddlan, Denbighshire

The complex of buildings at Bodrhyddan Hall forms an excellent example of 20th century estate architecture. Grant of £24,000 offered towards works to repair the coach house and clock tower in the stable yard.

Stanage Park, Knighton, Powys

Stanage Park is an exceptional 19th century country house by Humphrey Repton set in extensive mature parkland. Grant of £10,800 offered towards the rebuilding and conservation repair of the ornamental stone outer wall and bridge.

The Old School Room, Llanarmon-yn-lal, Denbighshire

A good example of a late 18th century church school, which forms a pleasing group with the adjacent church of St Garmon. Grant of £36,000 offered towards the conservation based repair and reinstatement of the exterior of the building, principally the south elevation.

Historical & Nautical Museum, Nefyn, Gwynedd

The Historical & Nautical Museum in Nefyn is set in the former St Mary’s church, a late Georgian parish church with a landmark tower. Grant of £11,250 offered towards re-roofing and associated works.

Ty Mawr, Solva, Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire

Located in a prominent position in the village of Solva, Ty Mawr is an imposing two storey house dating from the early 19th century. Grant of £11,250 offered towards conservation repairs to the exterior of the building.

Former Police Telephone Box, Somerton, Newport

An extremely rare survival in Wales, the former police telephone box is much loved by the local community and known locally as ‘the tardis’. Grant of £10,500 offered towards conservation repairs of the structure.

Ty’r Ywen, Partrishow, Crickhowell, Powys

A good example of an upland farmstead which has evolved over several centuries, Ty’r Ywen has an unspoilt arrangement and a dramatic position in the landscape. Grant of £54,000 offered towards repairs to the historic exterior of the building.

17 The Village, Clyro, Powys

Part of a picturesque pair of cottages, this house is prominent in the Clyro conservation area. Grant of £5,000 offered towards roof repairs.

Hafodunos Hall, Llangerynw, Abergele, Conwy

Hafodunos Hall is a Grade I listed, mid 19th century house built by Sir George Gilbert Scott. Partially destroyed by fire in 2004, its new owners plan to restore this nationally important house as a single dwelling. Grant of £21,000 offered for the recording of the building and emergency works to stabilise the structure.

National Language and Heritage Centre at Nant Gwrtheryn, Llithfaen, Pwllheli, Gwynedd

Originally built to house the workers at the nearby quarry, the buildings at Nant Gwrtheryn are now home to the Welsh National Language and Heritage Centre. Grant of £162,178 offered towards a comprehensive scheme of conservation repairs.

Companies House, Blaenavon Ironworks, Torfaen

Companies House is of outstanding historical interest as part of the Blaenavon Company’s original shop on the Ironworks site at Blaenavon. Grant of £60,000 offered towards a scheme of careful conservation repair of the building.