Cash for play,youth and hall facilities

7:10pm Wednesday 27th August 2008

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Four of Pembrokeshire’s community groups benefited from Awards for All Wales grants recently.

Base 64 in Fishguard, Solva Memorial Hall, Lampeter Velfrey Playing Field Association and Fenton After-School and Holiday Club all received a share of the £220,000 national fund.

Base 64’s £3,000 grant has helped ensure and enhance the future of a dynamic and innovative local youth group.

The group uses forum theatre, games and other activities to focus on participants’ experiences and their true stories.

Base 64 is aimed at young people aged 13 to 18 and offers them a safe space to explore issues that affect them, to relax and be themselves. It also offers members an opportunity to get involved with European visits.

Facilitator, Karen Chandler said: “We were so pleased to receive this money which will have a significant impact in enabling us to continue with this youth group and help towards promoting Base 64 throughout the community. We hope to attract new participants to join this unique group.”

Base 64 is always looking for new members and will begin its autumn season in a new venue, St Mary’s Hall, Fishguard on September 8th.

The group runs from 7pm to 9pm. It costs £1 per session and everyone is welcome. For more information, call Karen on 07976 302710.

New playing field equipment will be heading to the Lampeter Velfrey Playing Field Association after it was awarded a £5,000 grant.

Fenton after-school and holiday club was also awarded £5,000, cash which is already being used to increase the workshops and activities in which children can participate.

Playworker Hayley Morgan said: “We are all really pleased, it is invaluable, absolutely fantastic. It will give us a chance to fund staff and fund activities. We have already had Bongo Clive, circus skills and we have a pottery workshop. The money will also be used for resources and equipment.”

Solva Memorial Hall was awarded £3, 816.

Chairman of the Solva Memorial Hall management committee, Jane Pascoe said: “We are thrilled, this is our second award. The last one was about four years ago for china, cutlery and tables for what was the newly renovated hall and this award will be used for chairs to complete the refurbishment and hopefully bring in more bookings.

“The hall is much better used since the refurbishment, so we are thrilled and things have certainly improved.”