Campaign To Save Saith Seren Gains Momentum

Board members at Wrexham’s Welsh Centre, Saith Seren have said they are “astounded” at the support they have received in the past 48 hours.

An appeal to raise pledges of £10 a month from supporters was launched after the Welsh Centre’s landlords issued a notice to quit last month. The centre, which is run as a community cooperative by volunteers, is due to hand back the keys on May 18th. However, supporters have rallied round the centre, which opened in January 2012, and launched a campaign to raise £3,000 a month. This would enable the centre to stay open and plan for the future on a more secure footing.

Marc Jones, chair of the cooperative, said the board had backed the campaign as it was the only realistic option to keep the centre open beyond this month. He added: “The pledge campaign has, so far, raised £2,600 in monthly pledges, including three very generous donations from companies that want to see Saith Seren thrive.

“We are now more than 80% towards our target but we have just 7 days to secure the full amount. We have to make a final decision at next week’s board meeting on May 12th so I would urge anyone who is planning to make a pledge to do so sooner rather than later.

“If we don’t hit the target the weekend gigs with Steve Eaves and Swillers will be the last time we open our doors. If we do hit the target, we will be celebrating in style.”

People pledging £10 or more a month will get a loyalty card that will enable members to get a free pint or coffee/tea each month as well as discounts on certain Saith Seren events.

Mr Jones said the board was thankful to Aran Jones of SaySomethinginWelsh, an online Welsh learners’ course with 7,000 members, who had initiated the appeal. There are more than 200 pledges from individuals online from across Wales and beyond.

In addition, there are many local people who have signed paper pledges that are available from behind the bar at the centre.

The secure online pledge form is at https://saysomethingin.wordpress.com/2015/04/30/savesaithseren/ No money will be taken unless the £3,000 target is reached.

Mr Jones added: “We’re astounded at the level of support at grassroots level for the venture. We haven’t received a penny of public money to run the centre so public support has been key to our existence from day one.

“The rising level of support, we believe, is also linked to the very generous publicity given to us by Wrexham Savers and Nigel Lewis as well as the local media. We’re very grateful for that and of course to everyone who has donated so far.

“If we hit our target, it will enable us as a centre to make changes that will improve what we offer our customers.”

An auction to raise funds for the centre is also being held at Saith Seren this Friday, starting at 7.30pm. Entrance is free and items being auctioned include a weekend in a cottage in Gwynedd.