New Waldo Centre for Llandysilio

Members of Blaenconin Baptist Chapel launched a major initiative which will transform community action in Llandysilio, Pembrokeshire.

Over the coming months, a new Community Interest Company established by the Church will be leading the development of the chapel site (opposite the Nantyffin Motel) to provide a Centre to celebrate the life and work of the renowned bard, Waldo Williams and other poets from the locality.

It will also encompass the re-configuring of the current Chapel building to enable more community activity to take place and develop its vestry for residential accommodation to help sustain the new Centres.
When completed, there will be two Centres on the site: the new Canolfan Waldo and Canolfan Blaenconin.

In Canolfan Blaenconin there will be multi-purpose spaces which can be used for a range of activities from book clubs to pre-school groups, from training sessions to choirs. Canolfan Waldo will welcome visitors following in the footsteps of Waldo Williams.
As part of Blaenconin Chapel’s Christian mission in the area, this project leads the way to securing the Church’s central role within the community. “We were determined to look forward to 2020 with positive anticipation and to reinvigorate our Church and community in a way which answers the needs of the people” said Reverend Huw George. “This is major project for Blaenconin Chapel members to undertake and it is a testament to their vision that everything is in place to start the work in earnest.”
The new Community Interest Company, which will be called Canolfan Blaenconin, has directors whose skills will contribute to successful action. They include Maureen John, Gilbert Rees, Dyfrig Davies, Geraint Davies, Elsa Davies as well as Reverend Huw George who will chair the board.
Visitors from the UK and overseas make frequent visits to Blaenconin Chapel where Waldo Williams is buried in the chapel cemetery.