Red Roses hall project helps bring community together

The two senior Carmarthenshire councillors responsible for rural affairs and economic regeneration have seen for themselves how a community hall is being helped to bring people together.

Carmarthenshire County Council executive board member for rural affairs Cllr Jim Jones and executive board member Cllr Meryl Gravell visited Red Roses Community Hall which is at the heart of its rural community providing computer classes and a regular luncheon club for older people
The Eglwyscummin Community Association received RDP funding for a Connecting Communities Pilot project. The Hall was the base for an IT service with wireless connected computers targeted at the over 50 members of the community. This service is now available on a regular basis.
The Association has now received an RDP Sir Gâr Rural Community Inclusion grant of £5,383 to expand its popular lunch club and other activities at the venue.
Tuesday Lunch club provides a hot two course meal and teas and coffees for about 50 people. The Centre prepares a further 20 takeaway meals that are delivered by volunteers to the homes of those unable to attend. Residents of Whitland, St Clears, Laugharne and Pendine all use the lunch club.
Computer tutor Diane Evans said: “I take the Silver Surfers class. People in the class have used computers before but do not know how to do things such as download films and use Skype.
“They want to know how to put pictures on the computer and email them and to use Skype to stay in touch with family who live away.”
Hall chair Ian Evans said: “We have had grants to improve the kitchen and for computers upstairs. We provide dinners for about 60 older people and have worked closely with the council.”
Cllr Jim Jones said: “I’m very impressed with the work that the Eglwyscummin Community Association is doing. The Luncheon Club is an excellent way for older people to socialise and avoid becoming isolated and the computer classes are helping people to find their way around a computer and use it for enjoyment and to keep in touch with family and friends.”
Cllr Meryl Gravell said: “It is great to see the RDP funding accessed through our regeneration and leisure department used to such good effect in providing valuable services for people in this rural community.”
The Rural Development Plan for Wales 2007-2013 is funded by the Welsh Government and the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development.