Brechfa puts stamp on Christmas
A Carmarthenshire village is putting a new stamp on Christmas this year, with a range of services helping people to stay in touch.
Residents of Brechfa are now able to access online payment services and courier services – and more importantly they can now post their Christmas cards and parcels without having to leave the village.
The community shop and Post Office has benefitted from Rural Development Plan funding, approved through Carmarthenshire County Council.
Villagers have worked with council regeneration officers to apply for funding under the RDP Axis 3 Access to Services scheme, which aims to improve the quality of life in rural areas by supporting the delivery of basic services.
With the funding, the community has been able to purchase a Netbook, postal scales, broadband services, a router and antennae to transmit a signal up to one kilometre from the shop.
This has allowed them to provide postal services in the shop again, as well as providing additional benefits such as online payment services, courier services and much more.
Rachel Davies, community regeneration development officer, said: “The WiFi hotspot that has been created has also allowed mobile phones to be used within the coverage area using 3G connectivity - mobile phones do not work anywhere else in Brechfa. This is great for tourism and the cycle trails which are just within the coverage of the wireless signal.
“More importantly, they are now able to handle postage again – just in time for the Christmas season, which is brilliant news.”
Access to Services is part of the Rural Development Plan - a package of programmes aimed at improving the quality of life in rural areas by supporting the delivery of basic services and promoting sustainable community actions.
The two-year project is funded by Carmarthenshire County Council, the Welsh Assembly Government, and the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development.
Access to Services funding can be applied for by voluntary and community groups, registered charities, town and community councils and not-for-profit organisations whose projects are sustainable and will improve access to services in rural communities.
Groups present a project idea, and a development officer will be assigned to help determine eligibility and complete applications.
Cllr Clive Scourfield, executive board member for regeneration, said: “This project, although still in its infancy, is already starting to make a real difference to rural communities across Carmarthenshire.
“We would like to invite further applications for funding, and our officers would be happy to help any groups that are eligible.”
For further information about Access to Services, and other funding schemes, call the Community Bureau on 01269 590216.
Pictured from left, Brechfa shop director Jeanette Nock, shop volunteer Audrey Dyer, community regeneration development officer Rachel Davies, Clive Donney of Resq IT and Telecoms, and customer Iris Lenny. Pic Jeff Connell
Residents of Brechfa are now able to access online payment services and courier services – and more importantly they can now post their Christmas cards and parcels without having to leave the village.
The community shop and Post Office has benefitted from Rural Development Plan funding, approved through Carmarthenshire County Council.
Villagers have worked with council regeneration officers to apply for funding under the RDP Axis 3 Access to Services scheme, which aims to improve the quality of life in rural areas by supporting the delivery of basic services.
With the funding, the community has been able to purchase a Netbook, postal scales, broadband services, a router and antennae to transmit a signal up to one kilometre from the shop.
This has allowed them to provide postal services in the shop again, as well as providing additional benefits such as online payment services, courier services and much more.
Rachel Davies, community regeneration development officer, said: “The WiFi hotspot that has been created has also allowed mobile phones to be used within the coverage area using 3G connectivity - mobile phones do not work anywhere else in Brechfa. This is great for tourism and the cycle trails which are just within the coverage of the wireless signal.
“More importantly, they are now able to handle postage again – just in time for the Christmas season, which is brilliant news.”
Access to Services is part of the Rural Development Plan - a package of programmes aimed at improving the quality of life in rural areas by supporting the delivery of basic services and promoting sustainable community actions.
The two-year project is funded by Carmarthenshire County Council, the Welsh Assembly Government, and the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development.
Access to Services funding can be applied for by voluntary and community groups, registered charities, town and community councils and not-for-profit organisations whose projects are sustainable and will improve access to services in rural communities.
Groups present a project idea, and a development officer will be assigned to help determine eligibility and complete applications.
Cllr Clive Scourfield, executive board member for regeneration, said: “This project, although still in its infancy, is already starting to make a real difference to rural communities across Carmarthenshire.
“We would like to invite further applications for funding, and our officers would be happy to help any groups that are eligible.”
For further information about Access to Services, and other funding schemes, call the Community Bureau on 01269 590216.
Pictured from left, Brechfa shop director Jeanette Nock, shop volunteer Audrey Dyer, community regeneration development officer Rachel Davies, Clive Donney of Resq IT and Telecoms, and customer Iris Lenny. Pic Jeff Connell
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