Myddfai lands a Lottery boost

A Carmarthenshire community is celebrating a £430,000 Lottery windfall for a new state-of-the-art village hall.
Villagers in Myddfai have secured the huge grant to create and sell a new ‘Myddfai, made in a great tradition’ brand of products.
The flagship social enterprise will draw on the 13th Century legend of the Physicians of Myddfai, who were renowned for their homeopathy skills.
Local people will grow and sell herbal medicines under the new range, and skilled craft workers will use the brand to sell quilted, pottery and glass products.
All the goods will be sold at a new purpose built community hall, which will replace the dilapidated 60-year-old village hall.
The innovative project has received funding from the Big Lottery Fund’s Village SOS scheme, which is aimed at supporting business ventures that create jobs and improve the quality of life for local people.
Residents, working under the village hall charity, Ty Talcen, have been supported in their bid by Carmarthenshire County Council.
In recent months officers from the authority’s Communities Regeneration and Physical Regeneration teams, along with officers from the regional Collaborative Communities project, have worked tirelessly to help the village group prepare a strong business plan and funding submission.
Regeneration chiefs say they are delighted with the funding, which will breathe new life into the community and act as a catalyst for further investment.
The Council’s Community Regeneration Area Project Officer Simon Donaldson said: “This is fantastic news for Myddfai and the surrounding communities.
“The community hall, which dates back to the 1950s, is the only remaining facility, and is in a serious state of dilapidation.
“This funding will help secure the future of the village and supports the innovative work that the council is leading to support and develop within our communities.”
Regeneration Executive Board Member said: “We are absolutely delighted that the project has secured this Lottery funding.
“The process was very competitive and the group of people involved in securing this funding should be commended.
“The project will bring many economic benefits to the community of Myddfai and the surrounding area.”
Village Champion Jo Gideon will move into Myddfai for a year, to help residents get their community businesses off the ground.
The successful business owner said: “I am thrilled to be the champion for Myddfai. My vision is to build a strong sense of community as well as an economic stability.
“I love the holistic way that ‘Myddfai, made in a great tradition’ brings together all aspects of community interest to develop a sustainable model to improve the village.
“They have the product, they have heritage as a selling point and the community is fully engaged in what they are doing.”