WALES' new culture minister has indicated there is no more money from Cardiff for the Newport Medieval Ship.

John Griffiths, AM for Newport East, said £3.5 million given by the Welsh Government in 2002 was the "totality" of its funding for excavation, conservation and display, and the situation remains the same.

However he said officials are working with the city council to help them access funding from other sources.

The lease on the current home of the ship is due to end in 2014, the same year project funding is due to end.

It is hoped that the medeval ship, found on the banks of the Usk in 2002, will one day be housed in a new city museum.

Mr Griffiths told the Argus: “Back in 2002 there was a request for Welsh Government to recognise the international significance of the find of the Newport Ship.

“Welsh Government made available £3.5 million and stated that the money was being made available on the basis that it would be the Welsh Government's contribution to the excavation, conservation and display of the Newport Ship.

"That would be the totality of Welsh Government funding for those purposes.”

The Argus asked if there was no more money on the table; Mr Griffiths said the situation was as he stated it and that the position had not changed.

“I think Newport city council have been successful in accessing lottery funding," the minister said. “We will be keen to work with them to ensure whatever funding might be available is accessed."

He said the the Welsh Government has had its funding from UK Government cut in real terms and was in a difficult position.

But he added that “[we] have to be realstic and practicable as to what is possible with available funding at these times of very tight public budgets.“ He added: “Ideally all involved would want the ship displayed as locally as possible. The ongoing work is exploring the best means of achiving that, and all other possible ways of displaying the ship for the public"

Mr Griffiths became culture minister following the Welsh Government cabinet reshuffle earlier this year.

A report by consultants Colliers, obtained by the Argus in March, said a plan to reconstruct and display the Newport Ship was unlikely to become a reality in the short to medium term.

It called for Newport council to apply for lottery funding.

Councillor Charlie Ferris, patron of the Friends of the Newport Ship, said he was dissapointing that there appears to be no more cash from the Welsh Government, but remained optimistic it will eventually be displayed.

He said Newport could be a "grand day out" with the ship and its other attractions, with the ship attracting people into the city centre.

"It's bigger than a £3.5 million project," he told the Argus.

But he added: "I'm optimistic. She had a 600 year history. This is a second of her lifespan."

 

 

THE councillor in charge of Newport's cultural services has emphasised that the economic climate has changed since the medeval ship was found in 2002.

Debbie Wilcox, cabinet member for culture and leisure, welcomed the expert support and advice the Welsh Government is able to provide as the council seeks a wider partnership for the ship.

She said: “I am going to meet the minister at his invitation in the near future and our discussions will include the Ship.

“In 2002, the year the timbers were discovered, it was estimated the total cost of the project – including excavation, conservation and display – would be £3.5 million and the then Assembly Government agreed to fund the bulk of those costs.

“However, the council has shouldered the majority of the project since then. While it recognises the national, and international, significance of the ship the economic climate we are now in is very different to a decade ago.”