Noddfa Community Centre

WHAT IS NODDFA CENTRE ?

To those living on the Maes Barcer Estate the answer is simple, yet depending on the age bracket ! The Church has rights within the Centre, including full use on Sundays, when Sunday School and Services are held, the Church also has various groups during the week, read on…………

BABIES:

MOTHER AND TODDLER : A place to come with parents/carer’s, Grandma or Grandpa on Tuesday or Thursday mornings, to play with toys while the carer’s enjoy a cuppa, and the opportunity for a jangle, it might be the only time some can take advantage of the opportunity to socialise during the week.

TWF : Another opportunity for carer’s to learn about the Welsh language, and the opportunity to learn with their children, also a chance to learn Welsh songs and have a sing along !

INCREDIBLE YEARS: this course is run by the Health Visitors to discuss all aspects of bringing up children in general, so that the children and the carer’s enjoy the experience.

CLINIC: A baby clinic is held monthly at the Centre, this has proved successful, as most who bring their babies to the Centre would not bother walking down to the Main Clinic – for whatever reason.

NURSERY SCHOOL: The Seiont and Peblig Nursery School based at the Centre is the largest school in the area, and the are attempting to gain the Excellent Nursery recognition –this through the hard work of the Leader, Eiriona Rees Hughes and the staff. They ensure that the children receive the best possible start, before they leave for the Primary School. The school holds daily sessions, and also meets during certain Half Term holidays.

This is what’s available for the pre school, but what about the ones already in the Primary or Secondary schools?

CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE

“CWMNI COFIS BACH”: This is a group formed under the umbrella of the Church, giving children the opportunity to show their talents, whether in acting or singing, and they have staged a variety of excellent programmes, both in the Galeri in Caernarfon and in the Centre, including “Hell Bent on Helen” a black and white film which was shown at the National Eisteddfod, a fashion show, “ The Town’s Story in half an hour” when the actors marched from the Centre to the Square, accompanied by Samba Bangor, but the height of the productions was reached this Summer when a fantastic Opera was staged called “Trouble in the Wind”

SUMMER PLAYSCHEME: The Play scheme was held for 5 weeks during the Summer break, the children could’nt wait to come into the Centre, and took great pride in the things they created during the sessions – the glitter they used can still be found in certain corners of the building – but kids need their space don’t they. The scheme has been on going for over 25 years, it was first organised by Sian Owen, the Centre’s Community Worker together with a few local mothers who ran a successful venture. The scheme was transferred a few years ago, and now the Church is responsible for it, they also hold sessions during the Easter break.

KICK BOYS CLUB Boys of school age coming together to enjoy some games and shared interest, together with the Church Youth Worker and volunteers.

‘TLWS’ CLUB a group for teenage girls held on Monday evenings, to discuss various subjects, including make-up and fashion in general.

READING CLUB Another group held for children/young people of school age to discuss all matters associated with books and reading and a general chin wag .

Those are the groups for the youngsest ones, now what about the rest of the community ? Read on ……

TEULU’R BRYN :This group of pensioners meet every Monday and Thursday afternoon, for a cup of tea, a game of dominoes or bingo and just to chart in general. The eldest member is 99 years young, and still attends regularly! The group was established in 1975, prior to the establishment of the Noddfa as Community Centre, and a commemorative plaque was presented to them by the Mayor at that time.

JOB CENTRE PLUS ; A worker from Job Centre Plus attends the Centre every Monday ,and Thursdays from November onwards, to assist people wishing to return to employment. He has a wealth of information about benefits available for those wishing to return to work.

COLEG MENAI: Courses will be held in Marketing and Care, the courses will lead to a qualification in these fields

WELFARE RIGHTS: Mererid Mair, The Community and Church worker offers this service daily from the Centre.

AFTERNOON TEA: Fancy a cuppa, well come to Noddfa on the last Monday of the month, and you can join us for a cup of tea and a delicious slice of sponge cake – the Ladies from the Church will be here to look after and entertain you – all welcome.

SGIN T BRES? This groups provides advice and information on all matters relating to money.

GENESIS A worker for Genesis is now located in the Centre, she is available to help young people to either enrol on a collage course or find work.

COUNCILLOR’S SURGERY: councillor Tudor Owen meets local residents fortnightly to discuss housing issues, and he is kept busy I can assure you.

The Church has exclusive use of the entire on Sundays and holds Sunday School and a Service.

The Centre is also used to hold Coffee Evenings to raise funds fund for good causes, and also to hold birthday parties during the week, and also on Saturdays.

I’m sure that I have forgotten some activity that takes place here- please excuse me, but I think I have given you a brief insight into what makes Noddfa, and what its all about.

This is the heart of the estate

True enough, and we all know what happens when the heart stops beating.