2 February 2008

Opening the Chest to Gwynedd’s Community Groups

From funding new playing fields and supporting a food fair that will promote local producers to supporting renovation work on buildings which are of importance to the county’s communities, the Gwynedd Community Chest funds help a number of important projects up and down Gwynedd.

The most recent meeting of the Gwynedd Community Chest panel (Cist Gwynedd) supported applications from community and voluntary groups across the county, earmarking £129,380 in grants.

Councillor Dafydd Iwan, Gwynedd Council’s Senior Portfolio Leader for Development said:

“Since establishing the Cist Gwynedd funds, a large number of voluntary and community groups from all parts of Gwynedd have made the most of the opportunity to receive financial support to realise schemes which benefit their communities.

“What’s special about the schemes which have been supported by the Cist Gwynedd funds is that they have stemmed directly from local communities, ensuring social, economic and environmental developments.

“The successful schemes are proof that Gwynedd’s organisations to work together to develop projects that answer people’s needs and their communities, promoting enterprise in their midst. I am confident that the success of the Cist Gwynedd package will continue and that the projects that have already been developed will provide a firm foundation for the future to ensure the prosperity and success of our communities.”

Gwynedd Council, with the support of Mantell Gwynedd, is responsible for administrating the Cist Gwynedd grants package, which include a wide variety of grants for the County’s voluntary and community groups. The four funds administered by the Council is funded by the Welsh Assembly Government, European Objective 1 funds and Gwynedd Council.

The substantial funds allocated by the Grant Panel will help to deliver a number of important projects:

·       Criccieth Memorial Hall (£59,950) – to undertake improvements to this building which is an important resource for local residents and groups

·       Cyfeillion Croesor (£100,000) – to support the work of the voluntary group which develops community and educational resources in Cwm Croesor

·       Cyfle Ffestiniog Cyf (£3,210) – to establish the Blaenau Food Festival which will promote local food producers in the town of Blaenau Ffestiniog

·       GISDA Cyf (£5,551) – to support the staging of a theatre in education production
·       Cil South Gwynedd (£5,766) – to employ a development officer for the body who promotes independent living for adults with physical disabilities

·       Barmouth and Dyffryn Junior Football Pitch (£5,647) – to support with the work of developing derelict land at Wernmynach into a community football pitch

·       Maesincla Centre Improvements (£4,337) – to fund an application for funding to renovate the windows of this building which is an important resource for Caernarfon

·       Menter y Felin Uchaf Venture (£25,000) – to support the development of an environmental training centre at Felin Uchaf, situated near Rhoshirwaun

·       Fairbourne Village Hall Committee (£2,646) – to fund improvements to the Fairbourne Village Hall which is a valuable resource in the area

·       Prysor Angling Association (£14,385) – to fund resources for the Prysor Angling Association in Trawsfynydd which promotes angling amongst local residents

·       Abergynolwyn Gardening Club (£2,877) – to support with the work of maintaining the allotments in Abergynolwyn which develops food produce and gardening skills amongst local people