Community counts at Llandegfan
Never underestimate the power of the old parish hall. In Llandegfan, on Anglesey, the idea of the ‘parish’ being the focal point for all members of the local community lives on.
Llandegfan’s parish hall has a rich history dating back to the beginning of the 20th century. Now, thanks to the Welsh Assembly Government, the hall has been equipped to serve the village well into the 21st century.
“The future is very bright for our village hall,” said development committee secretary Sian Arwel Davies.
“We are obviously very proud of its history. But we are equally proud of the fact that we have made sure that the hall moves with the times to continue to serve the community of Llandegfan.”
Mrs Davies said community support for the project to revamp the parish hall was crucial.
“We went out and canvassed the views of the local community and gave them questionnaires. The views they expressed there have been taken into account in the improvements to the hall.
“Llandegfan in geographic terms is a village in almost two sections because of the way it has developed. One of the great achievements in the hall improvement project is that it has helped bring a sense of unity and common purpose back to the village, with the parish hall at the centre of all things.”
The improvements to the hall were made possible by a grant of £156,113 from CFAP – the Welsh Assembly Government’s Community Facilities and Activities Programme.
All the changes had to fit in with the hall’s Grade 2 Listed Building status - the building was originally gifted to the people of the village by the Rathbone family.
“The hall is now more accessible and has more amenities. The stage has been replaced by a moveable one, which allows far more flexibility in the use of the main hall,” said Mrs Davies.
“Happily, we have been able to respond to requests in our questionnaires and have established an IT computer suite, improved the kitchen and disabled toilet facilities and the extra space in the hall means that we can introduce short-mat bowls.”
Hall committee chairman Edward Morus Jones said he was especially proud of the fact the hall was able to accommodate a full size snooker table.
“Providing a wide range of facilities, with something for everyone, is very important to us.
“As a hall committee, we have to be very mindful of the fact that we are the temporary custodians of the hall. It is our duty to maintain it and ensure it is in a condition where it can continue to provide service for the community for the next 10, even 20 years.”
Mr Jones said the hall still carried out many of the traditional functions which would not have been out of place back at the start of the 20th century.
“We still hold Eisteddfods and there are choral and dramatic events. Of course, there are the traditional Merched y Wawr meetings and community council debates, but we also have other organisations, such as a multiple sclerosis support group, meeting at the hall.
“The youth club meets at the hall and that is so important in getting the youngsters to take pride in what is a great facility for the village of Llandegfan.
“Our pride in the hall also received a boost when we were visited by the Deputy First Minister for Wales Ieuan Wyn Jones. I am sure he was glad to see that we have put the Welsh Assembly Government’s money to good use.”
CFAP - The Community Facilities and Activities Programme is a grant scheme operated by the Welsh Assembly Government to help community or voluntary organisations provide facilities or carry out activities which will promote the regeneration of communities. Since its launch in 2002 CFAP has proved to be a highly successful grant programme. A total of £64 million has been awarded to 660 projects across the length and breadth of Wales.
Projects have included the refurbishment of church and village halls, work to make community properties accessible to the disabled, buying part of a former airfield for community use and restoring historic buildings for community use.
The CFAP is run from The Welsh Assembly Government’s Merthyr Tydfil office - Communities Facilities and Activities Programme (CFAP), Communities Directorate, Welsh Assembly Government, Merthyr Tydfil Office, Rhydycar, Merthyr Tydfil, CF48 1UZ
Weblink:
http://www.llandegfan.anglesey.sch.uk/village.html
Warm welcome: Hall committee chairman Edward Morus Jones promises a warm welcome to all visitors to Llandegfan Parish Hall.
Press release issued by Robert Lloyd on behalf of the Welsh Assembly Government.
Contact: Robert Lloyd, 84 New Road, Llanelli, SA15 3DT, telephone 01554 757600 or 07777 683637 (mobile). Email: rlloydpr@btinternet.com
Llandegfan’s parish hall has a rich history dating back to the beginning of the 20th century. Now, thanks to the Welsh Assembly Government, the hall has been equipped to serve the village well into the 21st century.
“The future is very bright for our village hall,” said development committee secretary Sian Arwel Davies.
“We are obviously very proud of its history. But we are equally proud of the fact that we have made sure that the hall moves with the times to continue to serve the community of Llandegfan.”
Mrs Davies said community support for the project to revamp the parish hall was crucial.
“We went out and canvassed the views of the local community and gave them questionnaires. The views they expressed there have been taken into account in the improvements to the hall.
“Llandegfan in geographic terms is a village in almost two sections because of the way it has developed. One of the great achievements in the hall improvement project is that it has helped bring a sense of unity and common purpose back to the village, with the parish hall at the centre of all things.”
The improvements to the hall were made possible by a grant of £156,113 from CFAP – the Welsh Assembly Government’s Community Facilities and Activities Programme.
All the changes had to fit in with the hall’s Grade 2 Listed Building status - the building was originally gifted to the people of the village by the Rathbone family.
“The hall is now more accessible and has more amenities. The stage has been replaced by a moveable one, which allows far more flexibility in the use of the main hall,” said Mrs Davies.
“Happily, we have been able to respond to requests in our questionnaires and have established an IT computer suite, improved the kitchen and disabled toilet facilities and the extra space in the hall means that we can introduce short-mat bowls.”
Hall committee chairman Edward Morus Jones said he was especially proud of the fact the hall was able to accommodate a full size snooker table.
“Providing a wide range of facilities, with something for everyone, is very important to us.
“As a hall committee, we have to be very mindful of the fact that we are the temporary custodians of the hall. It is our duty to maintain it and ensure it is in a condition where it can continue to provide service for the community for the next 10, even 20 years.”
Mr Jones said the hall still carried out many of the traditional functions which would not have been out of place back at the start of the 20th century.
“We still hold Eisteddfods and there are choral and dramatic events. Of course, there are the traditional Merched y Wawr meetings and community council debates, but we also have other organisations, such as a multiple sclerosis support group, meeting at the hall.
“The youth club meets at the hall and that is so important in getting the youngsters to take pride in what is a great facility for the village of Llandegfan.
“Our pride in the hall also received a boost when we were visited by the Deputy First Minister for Wales Ieuan Wyn Jones. I am sure he was glad to see that we have put the Welsh Assembly Government’s money to good use.”
CFAP - The Community Facilities and Activities Programme is a grant scheme operated by the Welsh Assembly Government to help community or voluntary organisations provide facilities or carry out activities which will promote the regeneration of communities. Since its launch in 2002 CFAP has proved to be a highly successful grant programme. A total of £64 million has been awarded to 660 projects across the length and breadth of Wales.
Projects have included the refurbishment of church and village halls, work to make community properties accessible to the disabled, buying part of a former airfield for community use and restoring historic buildings for community use.
The CFAP is run from The Welsh Assembly Government’s Merthyr Tydfil office - Communities Facilities and Activities Programme (CFAP), Communities Directorate, Welsh Assembly Government, Merthyr Tydfil Office, Rhydycar, Merthyr Tydfil, CF48 1UZ
Weblink:
http://www.llandegfan.anglesey.sch.uk/village.html
Warm welcome: Hall committee chairman Edward Morus Jones promises a warm welcome to all visitors to Llandegfan Parish Hall.
Press release issued by Robert Lloyd on behalf of the Welsh Assembly Government.
Contact: Robert Lloyd, 84 New Road, Llanelli, SA15 3DT, telephone 01554 757600 or 07777 683637 (mobile). Email: rlloydpr@btinternet.com
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