In 1998 the Gwynfe Community Association was Constituted and became instrumental in successfully securing funding from Cynnal - the Millennium Commission, Carmarthenshire County Council's Rural Grant Programme, the then Welsh Office and BBNPA, for replacing it's old Hall with a new 21st century Hall for Gwynfe; we recognize the help given by Antur Cwm Taf/Twyi to source these grants.
The intention of our Association was to foster Community involment and social inclusion by ensuring all age groups and abilities in the community were able to participate locally in social, educational, recreational and leisure activities.
The Builders, Doel & Rowlands handed over the keys in May 2001 and the Hall was officially opened, by Carwyn Jones AM, Minister for Rural affairs, in November 2001.
People who regularly use the Hall are the Gwynfe Show Committee, the Gwynfe Darts Club and of course the Gwynfe Community Association and the Hall Management Committee, who run the ICT Lessons, the Yoga Club, Welsh Lessons and present Shows & Drama and oversee events such as the New Years Eve Parties and in May 2002, the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Celebrations.
In 2001, we were successful in obtaining grants from BT, WCVA, Lloyds TSB Foundation, BBNPA Sustanability Challenge Fund, Sportlot and Carnegie UK Trust to acquire a Telephone System, an Induction Loop, Sports Equipment, Office Equipment, a Pool Table, eight Computers and two Printers for ICT training and a Cyber Cafe, and furniture, fittings and equipment for the Hall and Kitchen.
In 2002 we received a grant from Community Fund to add a demountable Stage, Stage Curtains, Stage Lighting and Lanterns, Large Screen TV/Video & Projector System, a Sound System including a Stereo CD Player and Stereo Cassette, Scanner and various Kitchen Equipment.
In February 2003, we were informed by Carmarthenshire County Council that the Sports Council for Wales had awarded us a SPORTLOT Community Chest Grant towards establishing a Yoga Club. In March 2003, we were told that our application for a BBNPA's Sustainable Events Grant had been accepted and that they would support us with our ‘Spring Show’.
In December 2003 our Secretary was able to source a Grant to cover the the Trainer's Fee for Yoga Sessions in 2004; for this we are indebted to The Atlantic Foundation.
Then in January 2004, the Secretary June, was able to source another grant from Carmarthenshire Local Health Board, for the Yoga Club. With these two grants the Yoga Club Trainer’s fee has been secured, well into 2005.
At the end of April 2004, the Secretary managed to secure an Award from Arts Council of Wales; this was used to purchase a Digital Piano. There was a Community Launch with a
Cheese & Wine Evening and a Recital, which was enjoyed by all.
Becoming victims of our own success and finding that we were very short of storage place, the Secretary applied for and received funding from Wales Council for Voluntary Action for a Camu 'mlaen Grant and to Carmarthenshire County Council for a RSTP Grant; Doel & Rowlands Tendered for the construction and in January 2005, handed over the Keys to the competed structure. We now have a roomy Storage Facility, which Betty and June are most please about.
We won "Carmarthenshire 2004 Village of the Year" & Winner in Carmarthenshire of All 5 Categories and a cheque for £100 for being IT Winner in Carmarthenshire. Three months later June journeyed to London, with Mary Davies, to receive £500 for Gwynfe Wales’ Winner for Information Communication Technology.
In 2005 our Secretary June, accessed a Cultural Grant for a St. David's Day Celebration. During 2004, June started sourcing a grant from Rural Community Action in Carmarthenshire for a Community Map and a handmade Cabinet to Display it in our Garden; a further grant in 2005 from the same source, paid for 100 Fold Up Maps, which when sold, would put £1,000, pure profit, into our Bank Account. In March 2006, June sourced another grant to pay for 'Community Celebrations' to Launch these Maps. Rev Guto Prys ap Gwynfe was our Speaker and it was an enjoyable evening with Refreshments included.
In December 2005, the Secretary received a cheque for £1,000, from the Community Facilities and Activities programme, towards the Yoga Teacher's training fees, making it possible for Yoga to continue for another year. The pupils greatly benefit from these Classes.
On New Year's Eve 2005 disaster struck and we found the Hall flooded - the Plumber declared that due to the artic conditions in Gwynfe (-8 degrees) a few water pipes had burst in the Loft; when we had recovered from the shock, we got to work with our Insurance Company & Loss Adjuster, Builders, Plumber, Electrician and Painters and the Hall was up and running in March. Unfortunately many events had to be postponed or cancelled during January and February, but Llangadog Community Council gave us a donation of £100 towards the repair of the Public Toilets.
Between August 2004 and March 2006 we have worked with Antur Teifi on three projects - (1) to produce a Community Map, (2) to produce 100 Fold-Up Maps for sale to the Community and general public and (3) a Community Celebration to launch the Map. The outcome has been a success and we have enjoyed working with Antur Teifi on this project.
Having obtained a Licence to become a venue to hold Marriage Ceremonies, we held our first Wedding in April 2006; Terry and Jan from New Inn had this privilege as they had paid the costs of the Licence - £580. Since then we have received two more bookings, one in August for the Marriage of Terri and Angus of Glanrhyd and the other in September of Charlotte and Joe Rideout.
As our Insurance Company paid for four computers and a Printer to replace those which were lost during the 'flood'. our Secretary has bid for funding to replace the four remaining Computers; we await news.
In October 2006, the Secretary heard that her bid was successful and Gwynfe Community Association had received £4,210 from the lottery-funded grants programme 'Awards For All Wales', for replacing the remaining four Computers; the grant will also enable the provision of a complete Network setup, Broadband for the Hall, Wireless Free Internet and installation. The Hall Management Committee is delighted, as are the Tutors, to be now teaching on Windows XP and an up-to-the-minute upgraded Computers.
In December 2006 our Secretary's bid for funding, for the Computers for the Community Classes, was successful and Gwynfe Community Association received £2,000 administered by CAVS.
In August 2007 Secretary June, the Fund Finder, found £930.23 for replacement Heaters in our Community Hall; administered by CAVS, this CFAP Grant from the National Assembly for Wales is of great assistance to Gwynfe Hall Committee and a piece of good fortune for members of the Community whom use the Hall - ask anyone.
Gwynfe Community Hall received a Carmarthenshire Local Projects Fund grant in January 2008; County Councillor D Huw Morgan has decided to offer Gwynfe Hall a general grant of £420 to enable the Committee to identify small-scale projects such as improvements, repairs, or redecorations to the Hall, local events or festivals, or small-scale environmental improvements.
The Secretary has procured a Grant of £2,000 in January 2008 for Yoga Practice, from the Millennium Stadium Charitable Trust; the Yoga Club is extremely grateful for the opportunity to continue this marvellous Practice. The Grant pays for the Teachers Fees of £400 for a 10 week session and pupils pay £1.50 (same price kept since 2001) per week, taken at the beginning of the session, to pay Gwynfe Community Hall Hire Fees of £105 per 10 week session.
The Secretary Organized a Community Basic First Aid Course during September 2008, when seven members in the Gwynfe were accredited British Red Cross First Aid Badges; she then went on to secure a CFAP Grant of £1,495 to purchase and install a Defibrillator in Gwynfe; many people in the Village felt it a necessity in this very scattered, far-reaching locality, accessed only by narrow country lanes off the A4069; we hope that the Defibrillator will never have to be used, but in an emergency if needed, and in conjunction with our Ambulance Service, we hope it will be useful for any resident of Gwynfe. We are grateful for this funding which is provided by the National Assembly through the Community Facilities and Activities Programme and administered by CAVS. In March 2009 the Secretary then went on to organize a Defibrillation Course and now there are seven members of the Community qualified to use a Machine in our Village. The Community Association will now be able to purchase a Defibrillation Machine and plans to have one installed for the Village are going forward.
In July 2010 we received External Funding from Carmarthenshire County Council through Tidy Towns and Brian and Kevin, two cleansing operatives power washed the Patio & Gutters of the Gwynfe Community Hall.
Any ex-Gwynfe community member will remember that there is no Shop, School, or Public House here - or Public Transport, for many years so we could have quite easily become socially isolated. The locals have benefited by having the opportunity to become more involved in their Community, through the facilities, events and activities provided by the Hall Committee. Those with disabilities have also been able to take full advantage of the facilities, as the Hall is easily accessible to them. Most important there is no need to travel out of the area.
The Community appreciate this wonderful multi-purpose Hall, with all these facilities, right in the middle of our beautiful Village.
These two photographs were taken from Ysgubor-lan of the August Sunset. This of the Sunset looking towards Nantgwyn & Cwmcoy
The one below, the Sunset reflected on the Black Mountains looking at them from Ysgubor-lan
Gwynfe Community Association & Hall Management Committee were thrilled and privileged to welcome to the Hall on Friday 04 February 2011, Carwyn Jones, First Minister of Wales, to celebrate with Gwynfe, the 10 Anniversary of our Millennium Hall. Much planning by the committee has gone into the visit, community groups set up presentations to show what we in the Village have accomplished over the last ten years, Friends of Gwynfe Community Hall arrived early in the morning to prepare Refreshments (kindly donated by Mr. Paul Vincent of the Co-Operative Group Llandovery) and Llangadog Primary School children sang and played instruments for the First Minister. The First Minister met and spoke to each and every member of the community present and the dignitaries whom included BBNPA Chief Executive Mr. John Cook, representing Carmarthenshire County Council County Cllr Clive Scourfield and County Cllr Huw Morgan, Chair of Llangadog Community Council Cllr Mrs. Jennifer Hughes; David Petersen and Richard Meade representing ACT/T the group who pointed us in the right direction back in 1999, to start building the Hall. The First Minister was captivated by the children and there were many good photo opportunities for the locals; our Chairman Hugh Davies proposed a Toast to the Hall and First Minister, taking us briefly through the last ten years; Secretary June Madeira-Cole was presented with a beautiful bouquet of flowers for her work during the last decade, then Hugh asked the First Minister to cut the delicious Cake, made especially for the occasion, by Mrs. Sheila Morgan Brynchwith; the First Minister recognised the community’s hard work, gave us words of encouragement for the future and asked us to raise our glasses to Toast the Hall’s success. The Secretary asks if you could lend her your photographs to display in the Hall and copy to keep in the archives for the twenty year celebrations; please get in touch at 01550 740602 for details.
Red Kites at Gwynfe Community Hall; some of the community have probably noticed that they are missing; the committee during a routine inspection, became aware of the Sculpture, produced by the famous and talented Carmarthenshire Sculptor Simon Hedges, was becoming unsafe. Gwynfe Community Association appealed to Llangadog Community Council for funds to replace the Kites and the Council has kindly donated £1,600 toward this purpose. The Kites will be carved in Oak, extending their life considerably; the community will be kept in touch with progress on their Three Red Kites.
1st sightings of our Red Kites
Progress made by Simon
Gwynfe’s Three Red Kites are now complete and as the entire Council and Clerk were in Gwynfe for the meeting, it was thought that the handing over and acceptance ceremony should occur before Council meeting.
The Three Red Kites is a carving created by Simon Hedger, well known and talented Sculptor of Capel Dewi, his carvings displayed all over Carmarthenshire; Secretary June said, “Tourist and visitors to Gwynfe stop to admire the Kites – we have many real Kites flying over the village. We use the Kites as the logo for our letterhead and the carving has become an established part Gwynfe’s history. The Hall was originally opened in 2001 by the First Minister, then, AM Minster of Rural Affairs, whom had his photograph taken with the young people of Gwynfe posed near the original Red Kites.”
The original carving was made of Ash and expected to last only ten years; the carving was recently taken down because of fears of committee members that it may be an accident waiting to happen. Hugh and June talked about asking Llangadog Community Council for a donation towards their project and Cllr Colin Evans, the other Councillor for Gwynfe was involved.
This carving is made with the heart of Oak, sourced in Gelli Aur and is expected to last for 40 years.
During the ceremony, Chair, Cllr Gwen Cleaver handed over to Cllr Hugh Davies (Council Vice-Chairman) & June Madeira-Cole (Clerk to the Council) and accepted by them as representatives of Gwynfe Community Association - Chairman and Secretary.
Unfortunately, Cllr Hugh Davies missed the photo-shoot but was there for the handing over ceremony; Council Chair, Gwen Cleaver said, “I am thrilled to see this iconic carving, delighted it is back in situ and I am pleased that the Council could support Gwynfe with this project.” Cllr Davies thanked the Council on behalf of the community of Gwynfe.
Association Treasurer, Paul Reeves took the photograph.
Front row: Cllr Geraint Evans
Back row: Cllr Ellis Davies, Cllr Colin Evans, Cllr Wyn Jones,
Cllr Jennifer Jones, Cllr Rosemary Cookson
Opposite: Chair, Cllr Gwen Cleaver, Clerk to Llangadog Community Council June Madeira-Cole.
The Red Telephone Kiosk in the centre of the Village, placed outside All Saints Church Gwynfe, has been bought by Llangadog Community Council and handed over to Gwynfe Community Association in June 2011. The Community Association has fought long and hard to keep the telephone kiosk in the centre of the Village, but BT has finally decided to decommission it and as it is a Listed Building, can not remove the Red Box itself. June, the Secretary consulted groups in the Village and rather than let it fall into disrepair, they agreed with the Community Association to accept the Red Box; a meeting of interested parties decided to work with BBNPA to make it into an Information Centre. Plans progress.
